Brought this for my Granddaughters (age 7 and 5), from opening the first page they loved it, the illustrations are amazing and the girls loved finding who was who and following them through their adventure to save the baby orangutan, this is a great book to be read to and also for them to enjoy by themselves, they loved the fun facts at the end of the book which was a nice surprise.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Michelle Hipwell
What inspired you to create the Little Eco Warriors, and where did the idea for their first adventure come from?
The idea for the Little Eco Warriors came from my two daughters. They love animals, they’re glued to David Attenborough’s Blue Planet whenever it’s on, and they have always been the first to recycle in our house.
Watching them, I realised I couldn’t find a children’s book that brought together adventure, fun, friendship, conservation and education in one story. For me, the goal was simple: to inspire the next generation to understand, love and protect our one beautiful planet.
So, I created five endangered animal heroes, guided by Mother Nature, and sent them on incredible adventures across the world. Each story shows children that even the smallest warriors can make a big difference.
The first Little Eco Warriors adventure, Big Trouble in Little Sumatra, takes the team to the rainforests of Sumatra to help Benji the orangutan find his family after a tree-cutting machine destroys his forest home.
The story was inspired by a television documentary I watched about the fight to save Sumatra’s Orangutans and the impact of human activity on their habitat. What struck me was how human the Orangutan looks and behaves. The name itself means “man of the forest”.
It made me want to show children that there is a better way to live alongside these animals and to protect the tropical forests they, and we, depend on.
The story tackles important issues such as endangered animals and habitat loss. How did you approach explaining these subjects to children while keeping the story fun and adventurous?
Conservation is a tough subject to talk about as adults, let alone with children, and I never wanted to worry them so much that it felt too big to take on.
Each rescue mission tackles a different issue in a different part of the world. I deal honestly with what we all know is happening, but keep it simple and easy to understand, the way a mother talks to a child. That is why Mother Nature always explains the issue at the start of each book, before the Little Eco Warriors set off to rescue that story’s animal.
Children learn what is happening and why it matters, then see that there is something hopeful they can do about it.
What can you tell us about the five Eco Warriors and their individual personalities? Did any of them surprise you as the story developed?
Each Little Eco Warrior has been created around a colour, and that colour shapes their personality, their superpower and the clothes they wear.
Scarlett the snow leopard is the team’s nature leader. She wears red, leads with super-fast speed and always comes up with the solution.
Poly the polar bear is full of sunshine, love and hugs, and wears yellow.
Congo the gorilla is strong, thoughtful and loves detail. He wears blue.
Yong the red panda is caring and considerate of others and invents the team’s brilliant gadgets. He wears green.
Roly the polar bear is full of fun and laughter, loves to play and eats lots of ice cream. He wears orange.
Mother Nature guides them all. I made her a tree because trees give life to everyone through the air we breathe. Her roots also link up to form the Magical Highway, which carries the team to each new adventure.
If you could join the Little Eco Warriors on one of their adventures, where would you go and what animal would you most like to meet or save?
A Future Adventure: Rescuing a Giant Panda
One adventure I would love to send the Little Eco Warriors on is a rescue mission in Asia to save a baby giant panda. I have adored pandas since I was a child, when my favourite toy was a panda teddy bear. They are funny, adventurous and full of character, and because they are still threatened in the wild, they are an important animal to protect.
You’re a dad to two lovely daughters. Did being a parent influence the way you approached writing a book about the environment for children?
Being a father has shaped the way I write these stories. What matters most to me is that children, now and in the future, understand that every little helps towards a better tomorrow for people, animals and our one beautiful planet.
We all have to find a way to make that difference, and I hope my stories encourage children in a positive direction.
If you could give every young reader one simple “Eco Warrior” challenge to try in their own home or community, what would it be and why?
The Plastic Challenge
Plastic has to be one of the worst products we use, and across the planet so much of it is used every single day. I really dislike putting plastic in general waste, so I try to avoid it, or upcycle it if it’s a container. The bin is always the last resort.
I understand why we have plastic, but much more needs to be done to develop and use everyday alternatives that break down more quickly if they end up in landfill or the sea. Recycling is lacking in so many parts of the world, and even in the UK not every household does it.
So, this is the challenge! Go, Go, Little Eco Warriors, Guardians of the Planet!
The Little Eco Warriors have a whole planet of endangered animals to help. What adventures or environmental issues would you love to explore with them next?
Next Adventure: Australia
Hot off the press! The next Little Eco Warriors adventure takes the team to Australia on a very hot and dangerous mission to save Karla the Koala from a fire tornado.
Every year, Australia suffers devastating bushfires, and climate change is making them worse. When the flames close in, the team comes up with a brilliant idea to stop the fires.
The book will be published before Earth Day 2027.
What advice would you give to someone who dreams of writing a children’s book?
I start with the concept, then work out the beginning, middle and end. I like to draw, so I put my thoughts down as sketches and basic ideas, and the story grows from those.
Every Little Eco Warrior needs a part to play, so I make sure they all get plenty to say. Each story is packed with adventure, fun, teamwork and conservation education.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience and for marketing purposes.
By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies
Discover