Art and Environmental Education: the experience of the Collection Stories to Color the Soul

Abstract

The collection "Stories to Colour the Soul" was created to bring positive environmental conservation narratives to children. Using a playful approach, the stories immerse children in the experiences of various natural entities, encouraging reflection on the human connection with the environment. Each narrative features biodiversity protagonists such as monkeys, mangroves, stones, frogs, and snakes, who share the challenges they face due to human activities, fostering empathy and encouraging sustainable actions. Topics like "hunting" and "mining" are explored in stories such as "Moonlight in the Mangrove", a poem about the crab breeding season, and "The Story of Diamond Dino", which tells of a precious stone disguising itself as coal to avoid mining. This three-volume collection, developed by researchers from the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), offers enchanting stories about environmental conservation from the perspective of nature's inhabitants. The material includes illustrations to color, promoting creativity, a glossary with information about the characters, and a section for children to create their own stories. Through this collection, we aim to contribute to children's reading habits and educational development, strengthening their bond with the environment.