IN an effort to encourage Bermudian children to become involved not only in reading, but also their environment, a local school teacher came up with a unique series of books featuring his own children.The Berkeley Institute’s environmental science teacher, David Chapman, hit on the idea a few years ago in the hope that it would not only stimulate young minds in becoming more environmentally aware, but also capture the unique relationship between a father and child.

The series, Daddy and I Explore . . ., is sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda (HSBC) and this second book focuses on Bermuda’s mangroves.

It contains detailed colour photographs and graphics by Cherie Richardson and features Mr. Chapman’s seven-year-old son Judah.

The 32-year-old teacher said he felt it was important to highlight the importance of father/child relationships since, like many Bermudian fathers, he does not live with his children.

However, their weekends are spent exploring the island together and it seemed only natural that this activity should give birth to the books, which will be distributed to all P4 students at private and Government schools.

“The series seeks to fulfil three core objectives. To encourage early literacy, to promote environmental appreciation and to capture and endorse the unique relationship that can be experienced between a father and child,” he elaborated.

“Also, I come from a family where I don’t live with my children and I see that around me, not only in the public, but also my family and friends and I think that the issue of spending time with your children is very important.”

The book took about a year to complete and Mr. Chapman said his children remained “pretty muted” about being involved since they were only there for the photo shoot.

“But at the same time they have a sense of ownership from being in the project and my daughter, who was in the first book, also developed some productions skills and now writes her own stories, does her own illustrations and is on the computer designing her books.

“So I see the impact of this process on their lives and know it can be reflected in the lives of other children,” he explained.

He felt children could relate to the books, which feature their environment in vibrant colour photographs, and future additions to the series would include Bermuda’s underwater world, forests, farms, tidal pools and caves.

“The schools already have these themes within our curriculum and it’s important from an academic perspective because it’s science,” he added.

A book signing will take place tomorrow at Brown & Company from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Author focuses on mangroves in book