Few children will have heard of David Simon Jackson. Equally few children will have heard about the Spirit Bear that lives in the northern part of British Columbia, up against the Alaskan border. The Spirit Bear, or Kermode Bear, is a rare type of black bear that has a recessive gene causing it to have white fur and is British Columbia’s official provincial mammal.
In this picture book, a fictional Simon hears about a forest in Alaska that is going to be cut down. Simon sets up a lemonade stand to make money to begin a protest. His protest catches the attention of the prime minister of Canada and the president of the United States. A protected habitat area is created for the Spirit Bear.
Based on the real-life Jackson, the story follows Simon as he becomes a teen advocate for the environment, speaking at youth coalitions, meeting Jane Goodall, and joining research expeditions into the Great Bear Rainforest.
The book concludes with a number of pages about Simon Jackson, a wildlife photographer, writer, and educator, now living in Calgary, Alberta.
This book is part of the CitizenKid series, a collection of books encouraging children to become informed and aware. The series covers global issues from water and planet care to child labor and child soldiers. This latest book adds the voice of the spirit bear to an already robust collection.
Recommended for ages 7 and older. (Kids Can)
About the Author
Jenny deGroot is a freelance media review and news writer for The Banner. She lives on Swallowfield Farm near Fort Langley B.C. with her husband, Dennis. Before retirement she worked as a teacher librarian and assistant principal.