Council creates children’s book inspired by touring goats
Jannette O'Brien and Shane Casey of Carlow County Council, who wrote and illustrated 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff of Carlow'
CARLOW Co Council has created a children’s book entirely in-house after being inspired by mountain goats that toured the county earlier this year.
is targeted at children of primary school age to spread the message of biodiversity.
Shane Casey, Carlow Co Council’s biodiversity officer, who is also an author, came up with the novel idea to help educate young children about the importance of biodiversity in an age-friendly way. He teamed up with Jannette O’Brien, the council’s climate co-ordinator, who illustrated and designed the book. Together, they have brought out a beautifully produced book that has been distributed to youngsters through national schools all around the county.
“We wanted to spread awareness and understanding of Carlow’s biodiversity in an innovative and compelling way for children to access,” explained Shane. “The story is a version of the classic fairytale, set in a small town in Co Carlow, but instead of a troll under a bridge, there is an evil lawnmower on the prowl. The lawnmower mows down all the green spaces before wildflowers can grow to feed the bumblebees and Billy goats.
“The aim of the book is to encourage all Carlow community and residents’ groups to manage their green spaces as short and long-flowering meadows.” The connection between goats and local biodiversity was underpinned earlier this year when a herd of old Irish goats went on tour around the county, happily chomping away on common green areas in housing estates, towns and villages. The goats became very popular, drawing over 3,500 visitors to towns and villages during the innovative biodiversity project.
Goat herders with the Old Irish Goat Society, Hannah Miller and Melissa Jeuken, brought the goats to Co Carlow twice during the year, such was the success of the project.
Together with Shane, Hannah and Melissa delivered educational talks on pollinators, land management and the rare breed of goats they work with. Now, the project has moved onto its next phase with the publication of .
Copies of the 28-page book have been circulated for free to all 44 primary schools in Carlow and it will be available in all library branches across the county.
