Green on the mind

Kailua author Petronella Evers created and constructed the critters featured in her new book, “The Little Greenies, Manu the Seabird” (Table Top Productions, $16.95).

These whimsical creatures are captured in photographs helping two children rescue a seabird who swallowed a plastic bag. After saving Manu, the group decides to conduct a beach cleanup where they gather a wagon full of trash. In return the children each receive the gift of an apricot that they can eat, then use the seed to make their own Greenie whistle.

Evers’ husband introduced her to the apricot seed whistle by sharing a tale about how his grandfather taught him to make one. “He made one for me to demonstrate it. It was wonderful and magical. I therefore incorporated it into the Greenies story,” she said.

The book is geared toward teaching children, ages 3 to 8, about the importance of protecting our environment. “The story aims to appeal to a worldwide audience and is about nature. Just as the book is made with 100 percent recycled paper, the Greenies, made from natural materials, are as green as green can be,” Evers said.

“This Greenie family lives in Hawaii, but the story is not about Hawaii.”

Evers fashioned the Greenies for the story by molding latex rubber for their heads, Japanese paper clay for their ears and hands and felt and wool for their bodies. Then she adorned them with feathers. “They are sculpted to look like actual leaves from bushes and trees here in Hawaii,” Evers said. “Their arms and legs are cut up branches that I found at the beach and strung together to be flexible limbs.”

Contrary to the plastic toy characters of today that are

designed with an industrial production in mind, Evers said, making the characters by hand imbues them with a “warmth and alive spirit.”

Evers said she was inspired to write the story while watching her 6-year-old twins, Nalani and Kekai, the children featured in the story, play outside.

The book is dedicated to all who love to climb trees (or who remember doing so).

“If by my efforts more young readers grow up to seek a peaceful and harmonious life with nature, which is what the Greenies were born to do, then I’ve accomplished my mission.”

Books may be purchased at www.barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com. Visit www.thelittlegreenies.com and click on the “kids” section to print out coloring sheets.