Publisher: Kids Can Press, Spring 2019

Purchase: Indiebound ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Amazon

As a child, Simon Jackson found navigating the world of the school playground difficult. He felt most at home in the woodlands, learning about and photographing wildlife. As a teenager, he became fascinated with spirit bears, a rare subspecies of black bear with creamy white fur. These elusive creatures were losing their habitat to deforestation, and Simon knew he had to do something to protect them. He decided he would become the voice for the spirit bears. But first, he would have to find his own. Carmen Oliver’s inspiring true story is based on the early life of Simon Jackson, who founded the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition. On his remarkable journey to protect the spirit bears, he met Dr. Jane Goodall and eventually hiked the Great Bear Rainforest — the home of these elusive animals. Katy Dockrill’s captivating art adds depth and beauty to the story. Photos and additional details about Simon Jackson’s life and about spirit bears are included in the end matter. Part of the CitizenKid collection, this book demonstrates how one child can be a voice for change. Simon’s story is an excellent example of growth mindset at work, highlighting personal growth and overcoming obstacles through activism. This book can also be used to lead discussions about character education as it relates to courage, resilience and perseverance. In addition, it has strong science curriculum links to the environment, animal habitats and the effects of clear-cutting.

Resources for Educators

Available now! Click HERE! A downloadable educator/activity guide by educator Debbie Gonzales. And one more downloadable educator/activity guide created by Kids Can Press. Click HERE!

Update article “Long Kept Secret, Canada’s Ghostly Spirit Bears Are Even Rarer than thought” as reported in The Guardian Sept 14, 2020.

Awards

A Voice for the Spirit Bears: How One Boy Inspired Millions to Save a Rare Animal is part of the long list for the 2020 national Green Earth Book Awards of children’s and young adult literature that best conveys the message of environmental stewardship.

2019 Writers’ League of Texas Book Awards – Finalist in the Picture Book Category.

Accolades/Reviews

A Voice for the Spirit Bears: How One Boy Inspired Millions to Save a Rare Animal is a Junior Library Guild Spring 2019 pick!

Globe and Mail Review

A Voice for the Spirit Bears by Carmen Oliver, illustrated by Katy Dockrill (Kids Can Press, $18.99, 6-10, 32 pages) is the true story of Simon Jackson and his fight to save this endangered species that live in the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. Oliver has created a wonderful picture book that not only traces Simon’s passion for activism and fight to preserve our planet from the time he was just seven years old but gives that fight a powerful voice that is sure to engage young readers. An excellent afterword provides both context and suggestions for kids who are inspired by Simon’s story. –Jeffrey Canton, The Globe and Mail Books

School Library Journal Review

“An inspirational base for further environmental efforts by young people and a plea for reducing the goals of bottom lines.”–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Read the full review. HERE.

Videos

In an interview with Canadian Geographic, Simon Jackson reads a few pages from A VOICE FOR THE SPIRIT BEARS and shares how he hopes this book will remind children that anything is possible.