Whadayamean Book

Whadayamean has a thought-provoking premise: that if all the adults would stop their destructive and greedy behaviour, then the world and its environment could be salvaged. Children are increasingly aware of, and troubled by, environmental issues, and so this is a timely, and powerfully-written, book. The story is set within a religious context. One night, God decides to visit His creation, in the middle of the night, and finds just two children still awake, playing. God tells them that they must come with him to look as His world. God tells them that he is displeased with the way that people have dirtied the waters, fouled the air, destroyed the forests and caused the polar ice-caps to begin to melt. God tells them that they must "go and tell the grown-ups to change the way they are living". "'Grown-ups won't listen to us,' said the little children. 'They will listen if you tell them that I told you to,' said God.'" Hence, the children set off and visit the businessmen, the leaders of the various religions, who are quarrelling amongst themselves, the men of war and, finally, the people of world who have stood by and not acted, to spread this message from God. At first, the people don't listen, but when the children explain that this is God's will, they change their minds and change their ways. The book ends with God returning to the planet, pleased, and with the Earth transformed into the paradise that He intended. This book has a very direct and strong message which is crafted into a story that pulls no punches. The illustrations are striking, and reflect the tone of the writing- -at first worrying and dark, and later happy and bright. Their style is evocative, sometimes sketch-like and sometimes a mix of photographic backgrounds and painting. This is a book that is serious in tone; it would raise questions, and could be used to stimulate discussion, about the important and very current issue of environmental destruction. It suggests that if people listened to God's word, these problems, and associated ones such as hunger and war, could be solved. (Ages 9 to 14).--Alison JardineRead More