2021The EcoSanta Short Story Competition 2021
We are now open for entries. Closing date is 30th November 2021, with results announced in January 2022. First prize of £100 to the winning entry. Short stories (maximum length 1,000 words) on EcoSanta impacting ANY environmental issue, including climate chaos and ecological crisis. Remember it is for young children though! Please send entries by email to [email protected] Copyright remains with the author, but Ecologisers (SCO48663) reserves the right to publish and promote entries to forward Ecologisers and EcoSanta related projects.
We are now open for entries. Closing date is 30th November 2021, with results announced in January 2022. First prize of £100 to the winning entry. Short stories (maximum length 1,000 words) on EcoSanta impacting ANY environmental issue, including climate chaos and ecological crisis. Remember it is for young children though! Please send entries by email to [email protected] Copyright remains with the author, but Ecologisers (SCO48663) reserves the right to publish and promote entries to forward Ecologisers and EcoSanta related projects.
We are pleased to announce the joint winners of the EcoSanta Short Story Competition 2020. They are Gill Wilson with 'Santa's EcoElves', and Sarah Mills with 'Max's Magical Gift'. Copies of their stories with the two judges' comments, and feedback on all the entries, are below.
Santa's EcoElves by Gill Wilson
‘I opened the first window of my Advent calendar this morning,’ said Daisy as she held up a small plastic figure for everyone in the playground to admire.
‘I’ve got chocolates in mine,’ said Sophie as she popped a large brown square into her
mouth. A sudden breeze snatched the wrapper from her hand and whisked it up into the air, across the playground. ‘Whoops!’ she giggled.
‘I wish I could have a chocolate every day,’ said Evan.
‘I wish I could have a toy every day,’ sighed Conor.
In the classroom, Miss Green was waiting for them with a visitor. The children fell silent as he cameand stood at the front of the room. Sparkling blue eyes smiled at them from behind a mass of tangled, rusty hair. He wore black rubber gloves and a sturdy pair of boots. A red, knitted bobble hat perched on the top of his head.
‘This is EcoSanta,’ announced Miss Green.
The children started whispering. None of them had ever seen a Santa like this before.
‘Who is looking forward to Christmas?’ asked EcoSanta. The children smiled and cheered.
‘Do you think you will get lots of presents?’
‘I’m hoping to get a remote control car,’ said Joseph.
‘I want some new trainers and a computer game,’ called out Sophie.
He held up a large globe. ‘Can anyone tell me what this is?’ Hands shot up.
‘The world,’ answered Evan.
‘Well done. Can you think of how Christmas might affect our world?'
The children talked quietly to each other, voices serious.
‘There’s always lots of wasted food my mum says,’ answered Daisy.
‘And mountains of litter from all the presents,’ said Evan.
‘You’re right,’ said EcoSanta, lifting the globe again for all to see. ‘I wonder if you can help
me think of a gift we could give to the earth?’
‘We could help by collecting litter and making the world beautiful again,’ suggested Sophie, remembering her sweet wrapper blowing away in the playground.
‘Brilliant!’ said EcoSanta. ‘Where should we look?’
‘People leave their rubbish on the beach,’ said Daisy.
‘And there’s always litter blowing around in my street,’ said Joseph.
‘What wonderful ideas,’ said EcoSanta. Leaning forward, he pointed to his sack. ‘When all
of my presents have been delivered, this will be empty. Could I bring it back for you to fill it up with litter for me?’
‘Yes!’ The children bounced up and down in their chairs.
‘You could all be my EcoElves,’ said EcoSanta.
It was time for EcoSanta to go. He slung the heavy sack over his shoulder and waved. He had a lot of work to do before Christmas Day.
The following Monday morning, Miss Green opened a large envelope addressed to the class.
‘It’s a letter from EcoSanta,’ she said. ‘He has set some special tasks for us to do before he
comes back.’
She read out the first one.
If, in a jam jar, you place a bean,
A little shoot will soon be seen.
On their tables, the children found paper towels, jam jars and beans. They wet the paper, put it into the jars and popped in the beans. Then they placed them on the window sill in the light. Connor checked his all day, waiting for something to happen.
On Tuesday, there was a new task.
Make a pile of branches, leaves and twigs,
And a hedgehog may choose it, for where he lives.
They had to draw a picture of a home for a hedgehog. ‘If you can make one in your garden, please take a photo of it for our EcoSanta wall,’ said Miss Green.
On Wednesday, the task was in the school playing field.
Go to the field; it’s nice and near,
List all the things you can smell, touch or hear.
The children rushed outside with their clipboards and pencils. The birds were chirping and they could hear the distant sound of cars. Joseph could smell the smoke from someone’s chimney and Conor said the grass felt cold and slippery.
Thursday’s task was a messy one.
Make a compost with soil, grass and leaves,
And leftover vegetables, like carrots and peas.
While the children gathered the fallen leaves and twigs, Joseph and Daisy went to the school kitchen to see if there was any food waste for their compost heap. They all held up their sticky hands. Sophie even managed to get peas in her hair.
‘Don’t forget to wash before lunch,’ Miss Green reminded them.
On Friday they were given a task for the weekend.
Go off to the beach and pick up litter,
Saving wildlife while you get fitter.
At school the next week, the children spread out their litter on the ground. Evan had found some fishing line and Joseph found a sock. There were plastic bottles, food wrappers, nylon rope and loads of plastic shopping bags.
In the afternoon, they investigated how litter can harm wildlife.
‘I found out about a seagull who ate an elastic band. He thought it was a worm,’ said Conor.
‘I looked on the website of our local rescue centre. It says they had a seal who got stuck in some fishing line. It cut into her neck,’ said Daisy. ‘She’s better now and has gone back to the sea.’
‘This book says that once a dead shark was found with fifty plastic shopping bags in its
stomach,’ said Evan. ‘The bags look like jelly fish which is their favourite food.’
‘That’s so sad,’ wailed Sophie and she started to cry.
Conor was standing by the window. ‘Look!’ he yelled.
Sophie ran to the window.
‘The beans have grown little tails,’ she beamed, wiping her tears on her sleeve. ‘They look
like tadpoles.’
‘Perhaps we could design a world calendar with a task for every day of the year,’ said Conor.
‘It could be the EcoElves’s Earth Calendar.’
The two judges' comments on Gill's story
If anyone wanted an exemplar of how to quickly establish a scene with all the necessary ingredients already present and completely real, this is the story to do it. Children behaving normally in the playground, the arrival of EcoSanta in their classroom, complete with a globe, who asks the simple question: 'Can you think of how Christmas might affect our world?' (Asking the right question is key to any quest.) With an innovative teacher called Miss Green to back up EcoSanta's well thought-out presentation, the way is open for the children to learn. In the following week, the children do many different EcoSanta-inspired experiments delivered in rhyming couplets. As well as being a lovely story, as it stands, Santa's EcoElves provides a template for classwork in schools.
*
This story brings the reader into direct contact with EcoSanta. By being involved in discussions on how to resolve environmental problems children can take responsibility for their own futures. The tasks set by EcoSanta are very practical; helping the planet, saving wildlife, tasks anyone can perform. A direct route to awareness of where we are today, offering practical, implementable and immediate solutions.
Max's Magical Gift by Sarah Mills
EcoSanta sat back in his armchair and shook his head in disbelief. It was not the number of naughty children on the list this year that bothered him so much or the fact that his green coat was a size bigger than last year. It was the arrival of a special friend, back from his inspection of all the oceans that troubled him most.
“I’m afraid, EcoSanta, pollution is rising. Many species are dying,” reported Rudolphin as he removed bits of plastic from his aquatic antlers.
EcoSanta brushed his big moustache backwards and forwards with his finger as he always did when he had something important to contemplate. “Do not worry Rudolphin, I will come up with something”, he said reassuringly, throwing a big carrot-flavoured fish into his friend’s mouth. That night as EcoSanta sat in bed reading all the latest letters that had arrived it suddenly occurred to him that he should write a letter of his own. All night he wrote and wrote but the magical ink from his pen pot never ran dry. Finally when he had finished, EcoSanta let out the biggest yawn and snuggled down into the depths of his snow-white covers. It was already Christmas Eve morning and he would need all the energy he could muster for the night ahead.
When Christmas Eve night did eventually arrive, EcoSanta went from house to house placing his letter on every child’s bedside table. He removed his boots at the hearth to reduce his carbon footprint and even kept the plastic from all the packets of cookies to recycle later. Exhausted, he put all the empty sacks in his sleigh and disappeared amongst the stars.
Christmas morning came and children all over the world opened their excited eyes. Many in their haste to see what lay under the tree, rushed straight past EcoSanta’s letter. Others binned it, uninterested in the idea of something as boring as rubbish. Some parents picked up the special post but they could not read the script which blazed with all the colours of the Northern Lights. To them it appeared just as a blank piece of paper but on it read the following:
Dear *Name of Child*,
Please go out and pick up some litter,
Preserve the environment for every critter.
Ensure the future of ocean and sea,
Do this as a gift for me.
Only one little boy called Max read EcoSanta’s message and immediately made for the beach. There he found all kinds of discarded objects. Treasure it was not but Max knew that if he picked up the bottles and the wrappers and all the plastic that he could find, no animal would die and the water would be cleaner for everyone.
EcoSanta was dismayed to learn that only one child had heeded his call but Max had worked so hard that EcoSanta decided to do something special for him.
So the very next Christmas Eve Max found himself sitting in EcoSanta’s sleigh bound for Christmas Cove where the mer-elves live. On the journey, EcoSanta and Max passed the tops of proud pine forests and mighty mountains. Then all of a sudden the sleigh ground to a halt. “Here we are”, said EcoSanta steadying the reins. But all Max could see was a dark coastline. He might have felt afraid were it not for the twinkle in EcoSanta’s eyes. In the distance, a bright red light appeared. As it drew nearer, Max could make out two antlers. It was Rudolphin, come to ferry the boy across the water.
“But aren’t you coming?” said Max to EcoSanta, a little worried.
EcoSanta pointed to his large belly and Max giggled. Riding on the back of Rudolphin, Max kicked the water with his feet and ran his fingers through the waves. He had never had so much fun in his entire life. Then Christmas Cove came into sight covered in glittering seashells and at the entrance stood Finbar, head mer-elf with an equally glittering beard.
“We hear you have been helping to save the planet”, said Finbar in quite a big voice for such a little fellow. “At EcoSanta’s request, we will make whatever you wish.” Max could not believe his luck. “But,” cautioned Finbar, “you must promise to pick up rubbish every day of the year.”
“Alright”, agreed Max, looking excitedly at all the toys in the cave. He looked back at Rudolphin in the water, hoping to ask for his help but Rudolphin looked sad and downcast.
“What’s the matter?” asked Max, still half thinking about his prize.
“Well,” said Rudolphin. “After I take you back to EcoSanta’s sleigh, I will once again travel to all the oceans on my own.” A little tear fell down his blue cheek. Max felt sorry for his new friend but time was pressing on and the little boy whispered his wish into Finbar’s ear.
When Max finally reached home, it was still not yet Christmas Day morning. EcoSanta tucked him into bed and left the little boy to his dreams. When the sun rose, Max rushed to meet all his friends to tell them about his great adventure.
“So where is your prize?” piped up one, seemingly unimpressed by the lack of evidence.
“Look out of your windows at the sea tonight” said Max cryptically and with that he skipped off to the beach to pick up the litter he had promised he would.
Evening came and all Max’s friends looked out of their windows. A bright red light could be seen in the distance and as it drew nearer, to their surprise the children could make out nine pairs of antlers. The mer-elves had made Rudolphin company for his ocean patrols according to Max’s wish. The children realised that rubbish might not be so boring after all and thereafter joined Max in clearing the beach of litter and in so doing helped EcoSanta and friends to make it Christmas Day for the earth every day.
The two judges' comments on Sarah's story
The hybrid created by Rudolphin – a reindeer-dolphin, was the only morphed animal to appear in these stories. The question raised in this story is: 'If every child received a personal letter from Santa Claus, (a neat reversal!) would they read it?' This author answers 'no', except for one little boy, Max, whose degree of unselfishness and belief in the rightness of his behaviour is exemplary. It also takes us into a wholly magical world, where the disinterest of Max's peers cannot touch his determination to make a difference. The use of the motif of light, that spiritual connection, the reach-back into ancient storytelling devices, the win-win situations set up and Max's resilience as a character, together with the abandonment of stereotypes are hallmarks of this story.
*
There were many magical touches in this story. How, through the character of Max, it highlighted the need for consistency and persistence to solve our present ecological crisis. I liked the way that it showed that leadership by example, even by one lone person, brings its own magical rewards, and leads others to follow suit.
The judges' general comments on entries
EcoSanta Short Story Competition 2020
The judges, who are both professional writers and teachers of Creative Writing, would like to thank all the far-seeing souls who entered this first EcoSanta-themed Short Story Competition. A second EcoSanta-themed Short Story Competition is planned for 2021.
Ecologisers' 2021 goal – or New Year Resolution if you will! - is for the concept of EcoSanta to go viral. This can only happen, of course, with the help of many people, storytellers included, willing to support this grassroots-led initiative in the wider world.
Overview on the EcoSanta Short Story Competition
Einstein said: Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited whereas imagination embraces the whole world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.
* One brainstorming principle is that the craziest ideas, when rationalised, often produce the best solutions. Work these two key principles in tandem and the winners begin to chose themselves.
* The EcoSanta-themed Short Story Competition gave entrants the chance to enter and explore the field of imagination in the delightful company of the mythological hero of our secularised society, reinvented as EcoSanta.
* As expected, the EcoSanta Short Story Competition attracted a diversity of approaches to the environmental/ecological problems caused by litter when seen through the lens of Christmas-inspired magic. Contained within these EcoSanta stories are, of course, seeds to solving our species-created problems.
* To increase EcoSanta's heroic status, in 2021 the thematic basis of the EcoSanta Short Story Competition will extend to anything environmental he chooses to tackle – not just litter.
These were some of the issues and situations addressed, leading to the focus of individual author's stories. When reading them, bear in mind a basic principle of creativity… ‘Anything is capable of infinite development!’
1 Future toys to be made of recyclable material
2 Letters from EcoSanta to children
3 Substantial upgrades to the capabilities of Santa's sleigh
4 Highly pro-active EcoSantas - both male and female - with a great support team of elves.
5 A hybrid dolphin-reindeer with a global outreach.
6 A 'baddie' elf, thwarting EcoSanta's great plans.
7 The potential of reindeer poo in recycling. Sometimes leading to bio-fuel being used in cars, worldwide.
8 Bright elves with solution-oriented mindsets – like youngsters – way ahead of Santa's thinking.
9 The schoolroom as the educational centre for EcoSanta in the real world.
10 Extensions to familiar Christmas stories – like a child meeting Santa delivering her present.
11 Intergenerational co-operation when your grandad just happens to already be EcoSanta.
12 Other magical creatures introduced into the mix.
13 A child who is 'different' to normal. So has magical capabilities, even if just for Christmas Eve night..
To have the new magical status quo already in place at the start of their story gives writers the opportunity to explore the full potential of their ideas.
Ecologisers' overall mission is to make EcoSanta a year-round player in children's minds, not just, like the dog-advert, for Christmas. Far from down-playing his heroic role, the overall intention is to make EcoSanta the mythological hero that spans the time since his long-ago inception as the person animals adored – St Francis of Assisi. This is a virtuous circle, where EcoSanta's many incarnations all come together so he too is one of the 'Heroes with a Thousand Faces ' - that Joseph Campbell imagined.
The winners - Joint first prize winners are: Gill Wilson's 'Santa's EcoElves' and Sarah Mills' 'Max's Magical Gift'.
The educational route for the next generation is so important to flag up. In the hands of a brilliant teacher, like Miss Green with her poetical leanings, working with EcoSanta's presentation skills, readers have an immediate sense of the power, effectiveness, and enjoyment contained within such a school project.
Team this with a very different and highly imaginative story with a deep spiritual subtext. There are not too many children who have Max's role-model qualities: great resilience, seeking win-win situations, not put off by his peers' disinterest, committed to keeping his promises.
Though completely different, these two stories support each other, giving children the best chance imaginable to solve our species' self-created problems.
The judges' comments on other entries.
Santa's Sleigh Mark 11 – Andrew Krey
The thing that sang from this story was the author's love of cars, machines. To the point where, we don't know that Gizmo is an elf, until over half-way through the story. Easy to fix, but a wee oversight when it comes to the importance of characters in any story! Gizmo is a major player! I loved the interconnections between our lived-in reality today and the Santa-fantasy world. That grounding starts the process of turning dreams into reality. The ending too is a delight, hinting at an expanding environmental project. A brilliant story, full of energy and life! Boys will love it, even though that sleigh scoop might struggle a bit in its designed-for task.
*
There is much originality in this sophisticated story. I liked the naming of Gizmo as the Elf who is expected to solve our many ecological issues. A very neat metaphor for the way Santa (society) expects modern technology to sort everything! Although a young child reader is unlikely to pick up the entire depth, and contemporary relevance of much of the depth of the material in this story, it highlights where we are in relation to our environment.
EcoSanta and the Horrifying Fatberg – Simon Nader
The underlying reality of this story will long stay with me. Anyone prepared to tackle the pariah of the environmental – litter - in one of its most revolting out-of-sight expressions deserves a pat on the back! Technically, this author's ability to consider the origin, the background fantasy-reality, and feed it into the unfolding plot to maintain story-credibility is another plus-point. The political dig was much appreciated, bringing it completely up-to-date. The female EcoSanta's clever solution to the fat-sausages' destination will make many smile. What was really heartening was the can-do treatment, the wholly positive pathway laid out before the reader.
*
A highly imaginative and humorous story. To bring Fatburgs into the reader’s consciousness. And transform EcoSanta’s gender and use creatures other than the usual stereotypical reindeer to deliver the presents. EcoSanta and her helpers highly flexible, practical, and pro-active approach shows readers the necessary attitude to solving our environmental problems.
Santa the Eco-Champion – Jean Sheldon
This author chose 'the baddie within the camp' to highlight major environmental issues caused by the behaviour of our own species. It worked well as it polarised the positions of baddie Augustus and goodie Theo, something children find very easy to relate to. To highlight bravery as the key to heroism is an eternal must-have. It’s is a gentle story where the plot-line is the story-line, so we don't actually get to meet the characters through dialogue or key scenes. This story gives the reader a vision that speaks to both modern reality and its working-out in EcoSanta land.
*
This writer’s different approach to the usual Santa ‘ambiance’ – an Elf with selfish ambitions of his own, irrespective of their effect on the Earth – sets this story apart. Your solution offers us a real way forward. A combination of nature itself, and the bravery of those prepared to stand up for their principles (good old Theo) acts as a nice metaphor for how we might, in the end, solve our ecological problems.
The Unasked for Presents – Jane Webster
This story traced beautifully the thought-process behind what actually changes things. It starts with the perception of a problem by EcoSanta, then moves through the many ideas of a brainstorming session, courtesy of the very bright elves of course! This expanded field of potential action keeps everyone super-busy making recycled toys for next Christmas. The gentle emphasis on sustainability and how the children receiving these unasked for presents slowly come round to that way of seeing was a really lovely touch. As was EcoSanta's adoption of the new way forward for next year. As plastic toys have been highlighted in the media, they are one of the big players in the anti-plastic movement.
*
A well written, well thought out story. Its visual qualities will be highly attractive to a young reader. And the idea of how Santa Claus and his elves set about dealing with the problem of excess and waste. I liked the way this writer used Mrs Claus as a helpmate – her wandering un-noticed through jumble sales to pick up items a great original idea.
Over the Rooftops – Judy Upton
The independent thinking of the elves about what they are up to on Boxing Day signals they may be ahead of Santa's game. And so it turns out. This is a fantastic idea, one that fits beautifully into the Christmas mythology of Santa Claus. After all, imaginatively, if he can deliver presents to the world's children, to deliver solar panels to every house is no big stretch. It's the craziest ideas that, when rationalised, often prove to be the best. Particularly endearing about this story was Santa's 'stuck-in-a-rut' character, as against the pro-active elves, who behaved rather like young people determined to solve a big problem!
*
A lot of unusual insights into Santa’s world and its Christmas Day and Boxing Day routines. A story with real perspective, introducing the reader into contemporary raising of awareness of ecological issues (demonstrations, marches etc.) through the use of Santa’s dialogue with the elves. Santa’s neat solution to the problem of slowing down climate change highly relevant to where we are today.
Santa's Mission to Save the World – Catherine Harmson
This author jump-starts her story with an encounter between the youngest elf and EcoSanta. This instantly fulfils the story requirement of giving the reader a sense of the story characters. Dialogue that conveys the essence of the story, what toys are to be made of in the future. This is an important issue – a contributing factor - for every child in the western world and for EcoSanta. Clever choice of names for the other elves give a sense of who-they-are, a useful shorthand for a writer. The wood pile was questionable, as the initiating motif. Overall, this dialogue-rich story has a very upbeat happy style.
*
A lot of nice touches, such as the elf’s setting up corporate-like organisations and networks to deal with our environmental difficulties. Of Santa himself becoming aware that he was part of the problem. I liked the enthusiasm with which Santa, Toffee, and their team tackled the job. In particular how they came up with so many ways of teaching children to look after the planet. Something that educationalists and schools should be taking on board!
Sky Guy and Santa: Eco-ho ho! - Kit Perkins
Humour laces this story of magic in a family where the children themselves are able to use the wonder of Christmas magic just for one night. Even though young Laura disbelieves and closely interrogates her clever mother, who is more than up for inventive answers about the power of glitter. As with many stories centred on magic, the glitter-magic goes in unexpected directions, bringing a wibbly wobbly man to life as a giant, who then helps Santa by stuffing his body full of ocean rubbish, which EcoSanta recycles into pretty beads and new toys at the North Pole. Children will love it!
*
A contemporary story line, with a lot of good magic touches, introducing the reader to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the problem of ocean litter. I liked the way the writer used an advertising symbol as an imaginative means of solving an issue. And the inclusive touch of mentioning those unfortunate children (refugees) who have had their lives disrupted. It’s perhaps something the Western child needs to be made more aware of at this special time of the year.
The Santa Cause by Terry Lowell
This author was one of two writers this year who decided to go the whole hog and be EcoSanta, a move much-needed in the real world! The first person narrator gives a special purchase on a story. This is particularly the case when Santa himself comes under attack for having created the problem of giving children far too many toys which now need recycling. So the dumper trucks are working on Christmas Day. EcoSanta consults his elves and together they come up with the big four: Reduce. Reuse. Repair. Recycle. And so we have EcoSanta telling his story to children so they know he knows the reality. It's a quick and effective way to get the message across!
*
This imaginative story and has the ‘personal’ touch of Santa speaking directly to the reader. The scene where Santa’s meets Ashley, brings in that Santa himself is part of the cause of the problem. And it also brings a little ‘edge’ into the story. For if Santa and his elves fail to find a solution, it’s the end of Christmas! Santa’s mantra, the Four R’s’ ‘Reduce, ReUse, Repair, ReCycle’, is hugely applicable to a whole range of where we are, ecologically.
The Santa Letter – Morna Sullivan
The 'working together' mood is set up by this direct approach of Santa Claus writing to children. Set out as a letter it tells of Santa's life and what he is doing to help the environment at the North Pole. This opens the opportunity for the author to rationally explain detail about what Santa does with the gifts children leave out for him on Christmas Eve. This includes how magic dust freezes milk into ice-cream for parties with the elves the rest of the year! Santa then moves on to his requests for children to help the environment. The translation into reality of this story is high.
*
Some interesting and humorous ideas in this story. The direct communication from Santa, bringing the young reader in touch with issues around plastic use. I liked how this writer encourages children to involve grown-ups in their re-cycling, giving the child responsibility for extending Santa’s vision and plan. Included are some beautiful pleas for our planet, a positive upbeat message, showing the way for readers to appreciate the world they inhabit.
Santa's Super Sleigh – Margaret Bromage
When Rudolf goes out-of-action over Christmas due to that vulnerable red nose contracting flu, and the other reindeer catch it too, EcoSanta has a big problem on his hands. A bit of thought leads to setting up a reindeer poo processing plant so the sleigh can be converted to running on bio-fuel. It's a wonderful eco-friendly solution that makes EcoSanta very happy. But now, for the future, the reindeer are redundant, and unhappy about it. The solution is a shared workload, between old-fashioned reindeer power and the Super Sleigh. The spin-off is delightful. Car manufacturers worldwide converting to bio-fuel, courtesy of cow, horse, and pig-poo.
*
A well constructed story introducing the child reader to the idea of reducing the effect of car fuel on the environment, and the potential of hybrid solutions. And how the solution to one problem creates another issue. I liked the way this writer used that to ‘build’ and deepen the story. Each solution widening to the point where the entire world clamours to be part of it… Just what we want EcoSanta to do!
Little Things – Beck Broom
A number of Christmas stories have been written about a child finding Santa Claus downstairs, by the chimney, delivering Christmas presents with all the magic and excitement such a discovery would bring. Here comes the twist. EcoSanta is also in the business of giving a gift to the planet, much to the surprise of young Ellie who didn't realise the planet needs a few gifts too. EcoSanta is taking away all the coal as he delivers the children's presents because he wants to make the planet well. The message that we can all do our bit is upfront, and sweetly delivered through this sensitive and charming story.
*
A good reversal of the usual – EcoSanta this time taking things away whose use damages the planet, rather than just delivering presents. The idea that the Earth too needs gifts. How we all need to take on the story’s fabulous message: ‘Everyone can make a big difference, no matter how little they are.’ It’s a message which deserves wider transmission.
The Problem of Poo – Vanessa Horn
By using rhyming couplets to tell her story, this poet finds humour galore with reindeer poo, and quickly signals the reader this is a top class story about recycling. With the elves' help, the reindeer poo is converted into paper for wrapping Christmas presents, for giving to children, and as fertiliser for growing Christmas trees. It's a tour de force championing re-cycling. Rhyming couplets naturally tend to humour. In this story-narrative, this is accomplished with great flair, never missing a beat. Literally. I loved its imaginative and whole-hearted sense of joie de vivre.
*
A fun use of rhyming couplets. The poetical structure raises ecological issues in the reader’s mind in an interesting way, coming up with potential and practical solutions, the reindeer themselves taking some responsibility. I liked the poet’s happy humorous approach, and coming up with the idea of every day being Christmas Day for the world.
Music at Night – Joan Reed
This children's story brings together a beguiling and bewitching array of magical happenings for Emily. It comes from the combination of Christmas Eve, fantasy-dream, a carousel playing beautiful music, riding on one of the Carousel's horses that turns into a flying horse, meeting and helping Santa, and coming home safely to find one symbol of the dream – the Carousel - as a present in her Christmas stocking. The inspiration for such a unique story – a list of seemingly unrelated items brought together in an emotionally satisfying story – makes for that sense of completion, wholistic and so appealing.
*
A pleasant well rounded story, with good visual descriptions, of Emily and her carousel horse helping EcoSanta sort his problem of delivering presents. I could almost hear the music playing! I liked the co-operation and friendship between the horse, the reindeer, EcoSanta and Emily. A pleasingly complete conclusion.
Molly's Grandad – Isla Robertson
Some writers have a natural gift for exploring the edges of our shared reality, borrowing from a much older story-telling tradition and changing its imagery so it speaks to us again now. This story certainly does that. The key character is a young girl whose grandad is already an EcoSanta in his behaviour and style of being. Molly herself has bright green hair that looks like moss and a cat that is her best friend. We're shown Molly and her grandad litter-picking together. But that aura of other worldliness extends into healing the Earth as well as treating it more kindly. In that lies its strength and power. Intergenerationally based, the young and the old working together not just to do what they can but to begin the necessary reversal into a globally caring mindset.
*
Some lovely ideas, such as the Earth and EcoSanta as healers. Listening to the Earth. The Earth as a personality, with its own needs, in its own rights. Different generations working together in harmony. Molly’s insight on dealing with people who don’t value the ecological imperatives of our age. EcoSanta’s positive attitude to sorting problems as they arise with the use of recycled ‘finds’ is a great way forward for all of us.
*
Santa's EcoElves by Gill Wilson
‘I opened the first window of my Advent calendar this morning,’ said Daisy as she held up a small plastic figure for everyone in the playground to admire.
‘I’ve got chocolates in mine,’ said Sophie as she popped a large brown square into her
mouth. A sudden breeze snatched the wrapper from her hand and whisked it up into the air, across the playground. ‘Whoops!’ she giggled.
‘I wish I could have a chocolate every day,’ said Evan.
‘I wish I could have a toy every day,’ sighed Conor.
In the classroom, Miss Green was waiting for them with a visitor. The children fell silent as he cameand stood at the front of the room. Sparkling blue eyes smiled at them from behind a mass of tangled, rusty hair. He wore black rubber gloves and a sturdy pair of boots. A red, knitted bobble hat perched on the top of his head.
‘This is EcoSanta,’ announced Miss Green.
The children started whispering. None of them had ever seen a Santa like this before.
‘Who is looking forward to Christmas?’ asked EcoSanta. The children smiled and cheered.
‘Do you think you will get lots of presents?’
‘I’m hoping to get a remote control car,’ said Joseph.
‘I want some new trainers and a computer game,’ called out Sophie.
He held up a large globe. ‘Can anyone tell me what this is?’ Hands shot up.
‘The world,’ answered Evan.
‘Well done. Can you think of how Christmas might affect our world?'
The children talked quietly to each other, voices serious.
‘There’s always lots of wasted food my mum says,’ answered Daisy.
‘And mountains of litter from all the presents,’ said Evan.
‘You’re right,’ said EcoSanta, lifting the globe again for all to see. ‘I wonder if you can help
me think of a gift we could give to the earth?’
‘We could help by collecting litter and making the world beautiful again,’ suggested Sophie, remembering her sweet wrapper blowing away in the playground.
‘Brilliant!’ said EcoSanta. ‘Where should we look?’
‘People leave their rubbish on the beach,’ said Daisy.
‘And there’s always litter blowing around in my street,’ said Joseph.
‘What wonderful ideas,’ said EcoSanta. Leaning forward, he pointed to his sack. ‘When all
of my presents have been delivered, this will be empty. Could I bring it back for you to fill it up with litter for me?’
‘Yes!’ The children bounced up and down in their chairs.
‘You could all be my EcoElves,’ said EcoSanta.
It was time for EcoSanta to go. He slung the heavy sack over his shoulder and waved. He had a lot of work to do before Christmas Day.
The following Monday morning, Miss Green opened a large envelope addressed to the class.
‘It’s a letter from EcoSanta,’ she said. ‘He has set some special tasks for us to do before he
comes back.’
She read out the first one.
If, in a jam jar, you place a bean,
A little shoot will soon be seen.
On their tables, the children found paper towels, jam jars and beans. They wet the paper, put it into the jars and popped in the beans. Then they placed them on the window sill in the light. Connor checked his all day, waiting for something to happen.
On Tuesday, there was a new task.
Make a pile of branches, leaves and twigs,
And a hedgehog may choose it, for where he lives.
They had to draw a picture of a home for a hedgehog. ‘If you can make one in your garden, please take a photo of it for our EcoSanta wall,’ said Miss Green.
On Wednesday, the task was in the school playing field.
Go to the field; it’s nice and near,
List all the things you can smell, touch or hear.
The children rushed outside with their clipboards and pencils. The birds were chirping and they could hear the distant sound of cars. Joseph could smell the smoke from someone’s chimney and Conor said the grass felt cold and slippery.
Thursday’s task was a messy one.
Make a compost with soil, grass and leaves,
And leftover vegetables, like carrots and peas.
While the children gathered the fallen leaves and twigs, Joseph and Daisy went to the school kitchen to see if there was any food waste for their compost heap. They all held up their sticky hands. Sophie even managed to get peas in her hair.
‘Don’t forget to wash before lunch,’ Miss Green reminded them.
On Friday they were given a task for the weekend.
Go off to the beach and pick up litter,
Saving wildlife while you get fitter.
At school the next week, the children spread out their litter on the ground. Evan had found some fishing line and Joseph found a sock. There were plastic bottles, food wrappers, nylon rope and loads of plastic shopping bags.
In the afternoon, they investigated how litter can harm wildlife.
‘I found out about a seagull who ate an elastic band. He thought it was a worm,’ said Conor.
‘I looked on the website of our local rescue centre. It says they had a seal who got stuck in some fishing line. It cut into her neck,’ said Daisy. ‘She’s better now and has gone back to the sea.’
‘This book says that once a dead shark was found with fifty plastic shopping bags in its
stomach,’ said Evan. ‘The bags look like jelly fish which is their favourite food.’
‘That’s so sad,’ wailed Sophie and she started to cry.
Conor was standing by the window. ‘Look!’ he yelled.
Sophie ran to the window.
‘The beans have grown little tails,’ she beamed, wiping her tears on her sleeve. ‘They look
like tadpoles.’
‘Perhaps we could design a world calendar with a task for every day of the year,’ said Conor.
‘It could be the EcoElves’s Earth Calendar.’
The two judges' comments on Gill's story
If anyone wanted an exemplar of how to quickly establish a scene with all the necessary ingredients already present and completely real, this is the story to do it. Children behaving normally in the playground, the arrival of EcoSanta in their classroom, complete with a globe, who asks the simple question: 'Can you think of how Christmas might affect our world?' (Asking the right question is key to any quest.) With an innovative teacher called Miss Green to back up EcoSanta's well thought-out presentation, the way is open for the children to learn. In the following week, the children do many different EcoSanta-inspired experiments delivered in rhyming couplets. As well as being a lovely story, as it stands, Santa's EcoElves provides a template for classwork in schools.
*
This story brings the reader into direct contact with EcoSanta. By being involved in discussions on how to resolve environmental problems children can take responsibility for their own futures. The tasks set by EcoSanta are very practical; helping the planet, saving wildlife, tasks anyone can perform. A direct route to awareness of where we are today, offering practical, implementable and immediate solutions.
Max's Magical Gift by Sarah Mills
EcoSanta sat back in his armchair and shook his head in disbelief. It was not the number of naughty children on the list this year that bothered him so much or the fact that his green coat was a size bigger than last year. It was the arrival of a special friend, back from his inspection of all the oceans that troubled him most.
“I’m afraid, EcoSanta, pollution is rising. Many species are dying,” reported Rudolphin as he removed bits of plastic from his aquatic antlers.
EcoSanta brushed his big moustache backwards and forwards with his finger as he always did when he had something important to contemplate. “Do not worry Rudolphin, I will come up with something”, he said reassuringly, throwing a big carrot-flavoured fish into his friend’s mouth. That night as EcoSanta sat in bed reading all the latest letters that had arrived it suddenly occurred to him that he should write a letter of his own. All night he wrote and wrote but the magical ink from his pen pot never ran dry. Finally when he had finished, EcoSanta let out the biggest yawn and snuggled down into the depths of his snow-white covers. It was already Christmas Eve morning and he would need all the energy he could muster for the night ahead.
When Christmas Eve night did eventually arrive, EcoSanta went from house to house placing his letter on every child’s bedside table. He removed his boots at the hearth to reduce his carbon footprint and even kept the plastic from all the packets of cookies to recycle later. Exhausted, he put all the empty sacks in his sleigh and disappeared amongst the stars.
Christmas morning came and children all over the world opened their excited eyes. Many in their haste to see what lay under the tree, rushed straight past EcoSanta’s letter. Others binned it, uninterested in the idea of something as boring as rubbish. Some parents picked up the special post but they could not read the script which blazed with all the colours of the Northern Lights. To them it appeared just as a blank piece of paper but on it read the following:
Dear *Name of Child*,
Please go out and pick up some litter,
Preserve the environment for every critter.
Ensure the future of ocean and sea,
Do this as a gift for me.
Only one little boy called Max read EcoSanta’s message and immediately made for the beach. There he found all kinds of discarded objects. Treasure it was not but Max knew that if he picked up the bottles and the wrappers and all the plastic that he could find, no animal would die and the water would be cleaner for everyone.
EcoSanta was dismayed to learn that only one child had heeded his call but Max had worked so hard that EcoSanta decided to do something special for him.
So the very next Christmas Eve Max found himself sitting in EcoSanta’s sleigh bound for Christmas Cove where the mer-elves live. On the journey, EcoSanta and Max passed the tops of proud pine forests and mighty mountains. Then all of a sudden the sleigh ground to a halt. “Here we are”, said EcoSanta steadying the reins. But all Max could see was a dark coastline. He might have felt afraid were it not for the twinkle in EcoSanta’s eyes. In the distance, a bright red light appeared. As it drew nearer, Max could make out two antlers. It was Rudolphin, come to ferry the boy across the water.
“But aren’t you coming?” said Max to EcoSanta, a little worried.
EcoSanta pointed to his large belly and Max giggled. Riding on the back of Rudolphin, Max kicked the water with his feet and ran his fingers through the waves. He had never had so much fun in his entire life. Then Christmas Cove came into sight covered in glittering seashells and at the entrance stood Finbar, head mer-elf with an equally glittering beard.
“We hear you have been helping to save the planet”, said Finbar in quite a big voice for such a little fellow. “At EcoSanta’s request, we will make whatever you wish.” Max could not believe his luck. “But,” cautioned Finbar, “you must promise to pick up rubbish every day of the year.”
“Alright”, agreed Max, looking excitedly at all the toys in the cave. He looked back at Rudolphin in the water, hoping to ask for his help but Rudolphin looked sad and downcast.
“What’s the matter?” asked Max, still half thinking about his prize.
“Well,” said Rudolphin. “After I take you back to EcoSanta’s sleigh, I will once again travel to all the oceans on my own.” A little tear fell down his blue cheek. Max felt sorry for his new friend but time was pressing on and the little boy whispered his wish into Finbar’s ear.
When Max finally reached home, it was still not yet Christmas Day morning. EcoSanta tucked him into bed and left the little boy to his dreams. When the sun rose, Max rushed to meet all his friends to tell them about his great adventure.
“So where is your prize?” piped up one, seemingly unimpressed by the lack of evidence.
“Look out of your windows at the sea tonight” said Max cryptically and with that he skipped off to the beach to pick up the litter he had promised he would.
Evening came and all Max’s friends looked out of their windows. A bright red light could be seen in the distance and as it drew nearer, to their surprise the children could make out nine pairs of antlers. The mer-elves had made Rudolphin company for his ocean patrols according to Max’s wish. The children realised that rubbish might not be so boring after all and thereafter joined Max in clearing the beach of litter and in so doing helped EcoSanta and friends to make it Christmas Day for the earth every day.
The two judges' comments on Sarah's story
The hybrid created by Rudolphin – a reindeer-dolphin, was the only morphed animal to appear in these stories. The question raised in this story is: 'If every child received a personal letter from Santa Claus, (a neat reversal!) would they read it?' This author answers 'no', except for one little boy, Max, whose degree of unselfishness and belief in the rightness of his behaviour is exemplary. It also takes us into a wholly magical world, where the disinterest of Max's peers cannot touch his determination to make a difference. The use of the motif of light, that spiritual connection, the reach-back into ancient storytelling devices, the win-win situations set up and Max's resilience as a character, together with the abandonment of stereotypes are hallmarks of this story.
*
There were many magical touches in this story. How, through the character of Max, it highlighted the need for consistency and persistence to solve our present ecological crisis. I liked the way that it showed that leadership by example, even by one lone person, brings its own magical rewards, and leads others to follow suit.
The judges' general comments on entries
EcoSanta Short Story Competition 2020
The judges, who are both professional writers and teachers of Creative Writing, would like to thank all the far-seeing souls who entered this first EcoSanta-themed Short Story Competition. A second EcoSanta-themed Short Story Competition is planned for 2021.
Ecologisers' 2021 goal – or New Year Resolution if you will! - is for the concept of EcoSanta to go viral. This can only happen, of course, with the help of many people, storytellers included, willing to support this grassroots-led initiative in the wider world.
Overview on the EcoSanta Short Story Competition
Einstein said: Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited whereas imagination embraces the whole world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.
* One brainstorming principle is that the craziest ideas, when rationalised, often produce the best solutions. Work these two key principles in tandem and the winners begin to chose themselves.
* The EcoSanta-themed Short Story Competition gave entrants the chance to enter and explore the field of imagination in the delightful company of the mythological hero of our secularised society, reinvented as EcoSanta.
* As expected, the EcoSanta Short Story Competition attracted a diversity of approaches to the environmental/ecological problems caused by litter when seen through the lens of Christmas-inspired magic. Contained within these EcoSanta stories are, of course, seeds to solving our species-created problems.
* To increase EcoSanta's heroic status, in 2021 the thematic basis of the EcoSanta Short Story Competition will extend to anything environmental he chooses to tackle – not just litter.
These were some of the issues and situations addressed, leading to the focus of individual author's stories. When reading them, bear in mind a basic principle of creativity… ‘Anything is capable of infinite development!’
1 Future toys to be made of recyclable material
2 Letters from EcoSanta to children
3 Substantial upgrades to the capabilities of Santa's sleigh
4 Highly pro-active EcoSantas - both male and female - with a great support team of elves.
5 A hybrid dolphin-reindeer with a global outreach.
6 A 'baddie' elf, thwarting EcoSanta's great plans.
7 The potential of reindeer poo in recycling. Sometimes leading to bio-fuel being used in cars, worldwide.
8 Bright elves with solution-oriented mindsets – like youngsters – way ahead of Santa's thinking.
9 The schoolroom as the educational centre for EcoSanta in the real world.
10 Extensions to familiar Christmas stories – like a child meeting Santa delivering her present.
11 Intergenerational co-operation when your grandad just happens to already be EcoSanta.
12 Other magical creatures introduced into the mix.
13 A child who is 'different' to normal. So has magical capabilities, even if just for Christmas Eve night..
To have the new magical status quo already in place at the start of their story gives writers the opportunity to explore the full potential of their ideas.
Ecologisers' overall mission is to make EcoSanta a year-round player in children's minds, not just, like the dog-advert, for Christmas. Far from down-playing his heroic role, the overall intention is to make EcoSanta the mythological hero that spans the time since his long-ago inception as the person animals adored – St Francis of Assisi. This is a virtuous circle, where EcoSanta's many incarnations all come together so he too is one of the 'Heroes with a Thousand Faces ' - that Joseph Campbell imagined.
The winners - Joint first prize winners are: Gill Wilson's 'Santa's EcoElves' and Sarah Mills' 'Max's Magical Gift'.
The educational route for the next generation is so important to flag up. In the hands of a brilliant teacher, like Miss Green with her poetical leanings, working with EcoSanta's presentation skills, readers have an immediate sense of the power, effectiveness, and enjoyment contained within such a school project.
Team this with a very different and highly imaginative story with a deep spiritual subtext. There are not too many children who have Max's role-model qualities: great resilience, seeking win-win situations, not put off by his peers' disinterest, committed to keeping his promises.
Though completely different, these two stories support each other, giving children the best chance imaginable to solve our species' self-created problems.
The judges' comments on other entries.
Santa's Sleigh Mark 11 – Andrew Krey
The thing that sang from this story was the author's love of cars, machines. To the point where, we don't know that Gizmo is an elf, until over half-way through the story. Easy to fix, but a wee oversight when it comes to the importance of characters in any story! Gizmo is a major player! I loved the interconnections between our lived-in reality today and the Santa-fantasy world. That grounding starts the process of turning dreams into reality. The ending too is a delight, hinting at an expanding environmental project. A brilliant story, full of energy and life! Boys will love it, even though that sleigh scoop might struggle a bit in its designed-for task.
*
There is much originality in this sophisticated story. I liked the naming of Gizmo as the Elf who is expected to solve our many ecological issues. A very neat metaphor for the way Santa (society) expects modern technology to sort everything! Although a young child reader is unlikely to pick up the entire depth, and contemporary relevance of much of the depth of the material in this story, it highlights where we are in relation to our environment.
EcoSanta and the Horrifying Fatberg – Simon Nader
The underlying reality of this story will long stay with me. Anyone prepared to tackle the pariah of the environmental – litter - in one of its most revolting out-of-sight expressions deserves a pat on the back! Technically, this author's ability to consider the origin, the background fantasy-reality, and feed it into the unfolding plot to maintain story-credibility is another plus-point. The political dig was much appreciated, bringing it completely up-to-date. The female EcoSanta's clever solution to the fat-sausages' destination will make many smile. What was really heartening was the can-do treatment, the wholly positive pathway laid out before the reader.
*
A highly imaginative and humorous story. To bring Fatburgs into the reader’s consciousness. And transform EcoSanta’s gender and use creatures other than the usual stereotypical reindeer to deliver the presents. EcoSanta and her helpers highly flexible, practical, and pro-active approach shows readers the necessary attitude to solving our environmental problems.
Santa the Eco-Champion – Jean Sheldon
This author chose 'the baddie within the camp' to highlight major environmental issues caused by the behaviour of our own species. It worked well as it polarised the positions of baddie Augustus and goodie Theo, something children find very easy to relate to. To highlight bravery as the key to heroism is an eternal must-have. It’s is a gentle story where the plot-line is the story-line, so we don't actually get to meet the characters through dialogue or key scenes. This story gives the reader a vision that speaks to both modern reality and its working-out in EcoSanta land.
*
This writer’s different approach to the usual Santa ‘ambiance’ – an Elf with selfish ambitions of his own, irrespective of their effect on the Earth – sets this story apart. Your solution offers us a real way forward. A combination of nature itself, and the bravery of those prepared to stand up for their principles (good old Theo) acts as a nice metaphor for how we might, in the end, solve our ecological problems.
The Unasked for Presents – Jane Webster
This story traced beautifully the thought-process behind what actually changes things. It starts with the perception of a problem by EcoSanta, then moves through the many ideas of a brainstorming session, courtesy of the very bright elves of course! This expanded field of potential action keeps everyone super-busy making recycled toys for next Christmas. The gentle emphasis on sustainability and how the children receiving these unasked for presents slowly come round to that way of seeing was a really lovely touch. As was EcoSanta's adoption of the new way forward for next year. As plastic toys have been highlighted in the media, they are one of the big players in the anti-plastic movement.
*
A well written, well thought out story. Its visual qualities will be highly attractive to a young reader. And the idea of how Santa Claus and his elves set about dealing with the problem of excess and waste. I liked the way this writer used Mrs Claus as a helpmate – her wandering un-noticed through jumble sales to pick up items a great original idea.
Over the Rooftops – Judy Upton
The independent thinking of the elves about what they are up to on Boxing Day signals they may be ahead of Santa's game. And so it turns out. This is a fantastic idea, one that fits beautifully into the Christmas mythology of Santa Claus. After all, imaginatively, if he can deliver presents to the world's children, to deliver solar panels to every house is no big stretch. It's the craziest ideas that, when rationalised, often prove to be the best. Particularly endearing about this story was Santa's 'stuck-in-a-rut' character, as against the pro-active elves, who behaved rather like young people determined to solve a big problem!
*
A lot of unusual insights into Santa’s world and its Christmas Day and Boxing Day routines. A story with real perspective, introducing the reader into contemporary raising of awareness of ecological issues (demonstrations, marches etc.) through the use of Santa’s dialogue with the elves. Santa’s neat solution to the problem of slowing down climate change highly relevant to where we are today.
Santa's Mission to Save the World – Catherine Harmson
This author jump-starts her story with an encounter between the youngest elf and EcoSanta. This instantly fulfils the story requirement of giving the reader a sense of the story characters. Dialogue that conveys the essence of the story, what toys are to be made of in the future. This is an important issue – a contributing factor - for every child in the western world and for EcoSanta. Clever choice of names for the other elves give a sense of who-they-are, a useful shorthand for a writer. The wood pile was questionable, as the initiating motif. Overall, this dialogue-rich story has a very upbeat happy style.
*
A lot of nice touches, such as the elf’s setting up corporate-like organisations and networks to deal with our environmental difficulties. Of Santa himself becoming aware that he was part of the problem. I liked the enthusiasm with which Santa, Toffee, and their team tackled the job. In particular how they came up with so many ways of teaching children to look after the planet. Something that educationalists and schools should be taking on board!
Sky Guy and Santa: Eco-ho ho! - Kit Perkins
Humour laces this story of magic in a family where the children themselves are able to use the wonder of Christmas magic just for one night. Even though young Laura disbelieves and closely interrogates her clever mother, who is more than up for inventive answers about the power of glitter. As with many stories centred on magic, the glitter-magic goes in unexpected directions, bringing a wibbly wobbly man to life as a giant, who then helps Santa by stuffing his body full of ocean rubbish, which EcoSanta recycles into pretty beads and new toys at the North Pole. Children will love it!
*
A contemporary story line, with a lot of good magic touches, introducing the reader to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the problem of ocean litter. I liked the way the writer used an advertising symbol as an imaginative means of solving an issue. And the inclusive touch of mentioning those unfortunate children (refugees) who have had their lives disrupted. It’s perhaps something the Western child needs to be made more aware of at this special time of the year.
The Santa Cause by Terry Lowell
This author was one of two writers this year who decided to go the whole hog and be EcoSanta, a move much-needed in the real world! The first person narrator gives a special purchase on a story. This is particularly the case when Santa himself comes under attack for having created the problem of giving children far too many toys which now need recycling. So the dumper trucks are working on Christmas Day. EcoSanta consults his elves and together they come up with the big four: Reduce. Reuse. Repair. Recycle. And so we have EcoSanta telling his story to children so they know he knows the reality. It's a quick and effective way to get the message across!
*
This imaginative story and has the ‘personal’ touch of Santa speaking directly to the reader. The scene where Santa’s meets Ashley, brings in that Santa himself is part of the cause of the problem. And it also brings a little ‘edge’ into the story. For if Santa and his elves fail to find a solution, it’s the end of Christmas! Santa’s mantra, the Four R’s’ ‘Reduce, ReUse, Repair, ReCycle’, is hugely applicable to a whole range of where we are, ecologically.
The Santa Letter – Morna Sullivan
The 'working together' mood is set up by this direct approach of Santa Claus writing to children. Set out as a letter it tells of Santa's life and what he is doing to help the environment at the North Pole. This opens the opportunity for the author to rationally explain detail about what Santa does with the gifts children leave out for him on Christmas Eve. This includes how magic dust freezes milk into ice-cream for parties with the elves the rest of the year! Santa then moves on to his requests for children to help the environment. The translation into reality of this story is high.
*
Some interesting and humorous ideas in this story. The direct communication from Santa, bringing the young reader in touch with issues around plastic use. I liked how this writer encourages children to involve grown-ups in their re-cycling, giving the child responsibility for extending Santa’s vision and plan. Included are some beautiful pleas for our planet, a positive upbeat message, showing the way for readers to appreciate the world they inhabit.
Santa's Super Sleigh – Margaret Bromage
When Rudolf goes out-of-action over Christmas due to that vulnerable red nose contracting flu, and the other reindeer catch it too, EcoSanta has a big problem on his hands. A bit of thought leads to setting up a reindeer poo processing plant so the sleigh can be converted to running on bio-fuel. It's a wonderful eco-friendly solution that makes EcoSanta very happy. But now, for the future, the reindeer are redundant, and unhappy about it. The solution is a shared workload, between old-fashioned reindeer power and the Super Sleigh. The spin-off is delightful. Car manufacturers worldwide converting to bio-fuel, courtesy of cow, horse, and pig-poo.
*
A well constructed story introducing the child reader to the idea of reducing the effect of car fuel on the environment, and the potential of hybrid solutions. And how the solution to one problem creates another issue. I liked the way this writer used that to ‘build’ and deepen the story. Each solution widening to the point where the entire world clamours to be part of it… Just what we want EcoSanta to do!
Little Things – Beck Broom
A number of Christmas stories have been written about a child finding Santa Claus downstairs, by the chimney, delivering Christmas presents with all the magic and excitement such a discovery would bring. Here comes the twist. EcoSanta is also in the business of giving a gift to the planet, much to the surprise of young Ellie who didn't realise the planet needs a few gifts too. EcoSanta is taking away all the coal as he delivers the children's presents because he wants to make the planet well. The message that we can all do our bit is upfront, and sweetly delivered through this sensitive and charming story.
*
A good reversal of the usual – EcoSanta this time taking things away whose use damages the planet, rather than just delivering presents. The idea that the Earth too needs gifts. How we all need to take on the story’s fabulous message: ‘Everyone can make a big difference, no matter how little they are.’ It’s a message which deserves wider transmission.
The Problem of Poo – Vanessa Horn
By using rhyming couplets to tell her story, this poet finds humour galore with reindeer poo, and quickly signals the reader this is a top class story about recycling. With the elves' help, the reindeer poo is converted into paper for wrapping Christmas presents, for giving to children, and as fertiliser for growing Christmas trees. It's a tour de force championing re-cycling. Rhyming couplets naturally tend to humour. In this story-narrative, this is accomplished with great flair, never missing a beat. Literally. I loved its imaginative and whole-hearted sense of joie de vivre.
*
A fun use of rhyming couplets. The poetical structure raises ecological issues in the reader’s mind in an interesting way, coming up with potential and practical solutions, the reindeer themselves taking some responsibility. I liked the poet’s happy humorous approach, and coming up with the idea of every day being Christmas Day for the world.
Music at Night – Joan Reed
This children's story brings together a beguiling and bewitching array of magical happenings for Emily. It comes from the combination of Christmas Eve, fantasy-dream, a carousel playing beautiful music, riding on one of the Carousel's horses that turns into a flying horse, meeting and helping Santa, and coming home safely to find one symbol of the dream – the Carousel - as a present in her Christmas stocking. The inspiration for such a unique story – a list of seemingly unrelated items brought together in an emotionally satisfying story – makes for that sense of completion, wholistic and so appealing.
*
A pleasant well rounded story, with good visual descriptions, of Emily and her carousel horse helping EcoSanta sort his problem of delivering presents. I could almost hear the music playing! I liked the co-operation and friendship between the horse, the reindeer, EcoSanta and Emily. A pleasingly complete conclusion.
Molly's Grandad – Isla Robertson
Some writers have a natural gift for exploring the edges of our shared reality, borrowing from a much older story-telling tradition and changing its imagery so it speaks to us again now. This story certainly does that. The key character is a young girl whose grandad is already an EcoSanta in his behaviour and style of being. Molly herself has bright green hair that looks like moss and a cat that is her best friend. We're shown Molly and her grandad litter-picking together. But that aura of other worldliness extends into healing the Earth as well as treating it more kindly. In that lies its strength and power. Intergenerationally based, the young and the old working together not just to do what they can but to begin the necessary reversal into a globally caring mindset.
*
Some lovely ideas, such as the Earth and EcoSanta as healers. Listening to the Earth. The Earth as a personality, with its own needs, in its own rights. Different generations working together in harmony. Molly’s insight on dealing with people who don’t value the ecological imperatives of our age. EcoSanta’s positive attitude to sorting problems as they arise with the use of recycled ‘finds’ is a great way forward for all of us.
*
