Vegan books blog (English)
Vegan books blog (English)Vegan books collection: Talking about veganism in the language class."A Wolf in the Vegetable Garden" is the first book in a collection (which I would later call "vegan"), which I ordered for (my) school.I was looking for new readings where animals weren't all as stereotypical as in our classic tales or in the stories we read to children.I was also looking for different texts that could appeal to adults, in French or English classes.I liked "A Wolf in the Vegetable Garden" so much that I used its cover as the home page of the school's website. It illustrates what I think are my values or at least the values that I hope to transmit through my school.The wolf in classic literature arouses fear, "The Big Bad Wolf". It attacks the weakest, "The Three Little Pigs". He is cruel as in "Little Red Riding Hood" where he also attacks humans. In fact, the wolf on its own could be the subject of a blog, sometimes being passed off as a coward or an idiot.And even if Kipling gives us a better image of him in “The Jungle Book” since Mowgli is raised by wolves, it is Jack London in “White Fang” who has a much more naturalistic approach and is closer to the reality of the wolves’ personality. The story traces the journey of an exceptionally courageous wolf for whom the reader feels sympathy.In our book, "A Wolf in the Vegetable Garden", the wolf, having no more to eat after a particularly harsh winter, decides to cultivate a vegetable garden and to can the vegetables. Unfortunately, a little rabbit is ravaging his vegetable garden, but our wolf, who has become a vegetarian, must find a peaceful solution.“A Wolf in the Vegetable Garden”, “Le loup dans le potager” is a Franco-Belgian collaboration and was printed in Belgium. It has obviously had some success since it has been translated into Japanese in particular and is titled:ウルフさんのやさい畑.If you want to listen to the story, here is the link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiujFefS9bs(Picture 1)But what is veganism?* The vegan or full vegan follows a vegan diet and boycots all products and services using animal exploitation: leather, wool, silk, products tested on animals, hobbies using them such as the circus or dolphinariums .Extreme? Here are some numbers.Slaughtering animals for meat accounts for more than 2,000 animals per second, or 65 billion animals killed each year. Estimates are 150 billion animals including all species (fish, birds, etc.).If we slaughtered humans at the same rate as we slaughter animals we would be wiped off the face of the earth in 17 days.17.We love animals. We think so. They are everywhere, in our tales, in our cartoons, in our advertisements (even if everyone knows the cow on your packet of cheese doesn't laugh).When we are waiting for a happy event, our little one's room will be decorated with animals: his first toys are stuffed animals; his first books are books on animals and yet …We close our eyes to their suffering. The eyes of terrified pigs, cows, lambs etc. do nothing to us when it comes to our plate. We think we are less worse than the people who eat dogs or cats. But what is the difference? Besides, let's talk about cats and dogs. Are they treated well? Not the black cats, much less numerous to be adopted, nor the dogs which are not of race who are much more numerous in the shelters. Our dear pets, thrown away, as soon as we go on vacation or as soon as they get old or sick.The entertainment and tourism industry is no exception either. Circuses and zoos are far too represented in children's books with this phrase that is found in almost all books: "I love animals. I often go to the zoo. "Swim with dolphins, ride an elephant, take selfies with drugged tigers or lions. Why ? Are we so unable to walk that we have to use animal slaves? Do you need a dolphin torn from its surroundings to have fun? Is a photo worth having a wild animal in a cage, chained?These concerns, Ruby Roth, children's art teacher and author discusses them in her books. The first 2 “That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals” and “Vegan is L♥️ve” are very complete resources to start a discussion about veganism and arouse compassion.(Picture 2)In "That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals", Ruby Roth also presents families of animals in their natural environment and in the living conditions we impose on them. It also shows us the consequences of our behavior towards them.(Picture 3)In "Vegan is L♥️ve" she depicts the practices of animal exploitation from the clothes we wear to animals in laboratories. In zoos, in water parks, dolphinariums, circuses, races,… She deals with hunting, bullfights and rodeos.(Picture 4)Ruby Roth doesn't stop there. At the end of her 2 books, she offers other avenues for taking action. You can consult the following site:http://www.VeganIsLove.comWe are entering yet another book written by Ruby Roth of which I only have the English version, "V Is for Vegan: The ABCs of Being Kind". Instead of the eternal Zoo for the letter z, it offers us “Zero” for zero harm done to animals. I also like the letter r for "Rescue": rescuing animals in shelters, not buying them in stores.(Picture 5)In English, “I Am Not Food! "Is a little book poetically written by animals that tells you why they are not your food."In the same collection there is "That’s Not My Momma’s Milk!" Which tells us why milk is for babies.(Picture 6)In French and available in English, we find "T-Végi, The Story of a Carrot-Crunching Dinosaur” with illustrations I love in bright colors. Reginald is a T-rex like any other. He has a fierce roar, gnashing teeth and mighty footsteps that thunder through the jungle. There's just one teeny, tiny thing that sets him apart...While the other T-rexes munched on juicy steak...Reginald the T-rex eats crunchy carrot cake!(Picture 7)We will end with the very beautiful “Comme toi” in French only, which puts in parallel, on each double page, a child and an animal, emphasizing the similarity between them in a soft and poetic language.(Picture 8)We are also concerned by our overconsumption of plastic products and only offer for classes in English (I'm looking for a French version) the excellent book "The Plastic Problem" published by Lonely Planet Kids.(Picture 9)All of our books are obviously plastic free and made with recycled paper.Our collection will grow even more in the coming weeks and months.I'll conclude for now by asking you to buy your books from independent booksellers.And finally, there are many ways to act for the welfare of animals:The first is to learn about veganism, vegetarianism and raw food. Search the Internet and discover new recipes. There are plenty of them. Don't buy your pet, but adopt. Do not wear fur or leather. Join an association that protects the Earth and the environment. Choose foods that are grown in a "sustainable" way. Have fun by choosing artistic, musical and theatrical performances that do not use animals. Etc.We will follow up on this article in the coming months as the subject is so vast but above all important.Animal, my equal. Let us have compassion.Véronique Dezonne 校長ヴェロニック デゾヌブリュッセル 名古屋 ランゲージ450-0001 名古屋市中村区那古野 1-39-28 中橋ビル1FTel : 052-564-5590E-mail: vero2929@b-n-l.comhttps://www.b-n-l.com
