Table of Contents 6 2012 OVATION Awards Winning Entries

1. Educate adult target audiences in Halton by reaching out to children though a picture book and
related toolkit that encourages action so that at least 75 per cent of those who evaluate the book in
2011 indicate they would use it to introduce environment‐themed discussions.
2. By December 2011, inform target audiences of the new picture book’s availability resulting in:
at least three positive articles in the local at least one blog post and eight
media
Tweets/retweets
traffic to related web page (at least 50 distribution of at least 2,000 copies
visitors)
Solution Overview
As part of its Air Quality Education and Awareness Raising program, HRHD self‐published and launched a
32‐page illustrated children’s picture book, A Farewell to Featherwagons. The book, which is available in
hard copy and on the Region’s website, introduces issues associated with air quality and climate change
to young readers and includes facts on Barn Owls, air quality, climate change, and health in addition to
three story‐related "seek and find" activities, plus tips on how to make a difference.
Published to industry standard, the book includes a balance between text and illustration. With selfpublishing,
Halton Region maintained complete editorial and artistic control, including retaining all
rights. We also created a supplementary storytelling kit for use in schools and daycare centres. To
develop the concept and ensure the book’s content was accurate, we established an internal committee
comprising health staff, educators, a literacy specialist, a communications specialist, Anna Larson, and a
range of environmental experts. With input from the committee, environmental health
specialist/promoter Beckie Jas drafted the book, which features local landmarks (e.g., Niagara
Escarpment, Bronte Creek) to make it “real” for readers. We also focus tested a draft with local
librarians, and over 100 children from local child care centres, in addition to staff and their families. To
encourage readers to evaluate the resource online, we offered to send a free copy to the first 50 people
to respond. Rather than supply each child with a hard copy of the book (beyond our budget), we chose
to reach the target age group through schools, libraries and day care centres, with the web version
available to all as a pdf e‐book download.
Key messages
Want to talk to kids about air pollution and climate change impacts in Halton? A Farewell to
Featherwagons is a perfect discussion starter. A Farewell to Featherwagons introduces young
children to the concepts of air pollution, climate change, and health effects. Learn more at
www.halton.ca/featherwagons.
Strategy Audience Tactic/Action
1. Disseminate air
quality messages to
children and
caregivers/parents and
evaluate results. (O‐1)
All
1. Draft and self‐publish a children’s book (A‐1). Focus test prior to final
publication.
2. Include evaluation form (hard copy and online) and encourage
completion with incentive of a prize draw for environmental books and
DVDs. (A‐9)