Little Rock, AR (JonesboroRightNow.com) – January 25, 2024 – The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission (KAB) has taken a significant step in its mission to promote environmental stewardship among the youth of Arkansas with the launch of its second children’s storybook. The book, titled “The Messy Garden Mystery,” was introduced through a special live reading by renowned Arkansas television personality Craig O’Neill to students at Pulaski Heights Elementary on January 25, 2024.
The storybook, developed in collaboration with Arkansas PBS, is part of an initiative to educate pre-K and elementary students across Arkansas on the importance of litter prevention and recycling. It follows the adventures of KAB’s mascot, Otto the Otter, and his new friend Marta, as they embark on a literary journey aimed at fostering environmental awareness and community beautification.
Colbie Jones, director of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, emphasized the organization’s commitment to engaging Arkansas’ youth in environmental education. “As a commission dedicated to enhancing Arkansas’ livability, one of our priorities is to engage Arkansas’ youth in environmental stewardship education and resources,” said Jones. “We are excited to share this new storybook adventure with children across our state while furthering our mission to instill the value of preserving our environment for a brighter tomorrow.”
The creation of “The Messy Garden Mystery” involved a collaborative effort from various talented individuals. Corey Womack, a Mid-America Regional Emmy Award-winning writer and producer for Arkansas PBS, authored the book, while illustrator Ron Wolfe, known for his vibrant cartoons in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, brought the characters to life visually. The story was carefully crafted to provide an engaging narrative on litter cleanup and conservation suitable for school-aged children.
Sajni Kumpuris, Arkansas PBS Education Director and producer of the live-action series “Mystery League,” expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Keep Arkansas Beautiful. “Arkansas PBS is thrilled to partner with Keep Arkansas Beautiful for this children’s book featuring one of our most popular characters,” said Kumpuris. “We created ‘Mystery League’ to encourage Arkansas kids to work together and understand the importance of community, and what better way to further that message than by reinforcing it through reading activities that encourage the need to take great care of our wonderful state.”
The collaboration between KAB and Arkansas PBS extends beyond the creation of the storybook. The organizations have worked together to produce reading and workbook materials aligned with Arkansas English Language Arts Standards, ensuring that educators across the state have access to educational resources that promote environmental literacy.
To further promote the book and its message, Keep Arkansas Beautiful and Arkansas PBS have enlisted the support of Craig O’Neill, a longtime reading advocate and news personality. O’Neill, known for his program “Craig’s Reading Road Trip,” where he read aloud to school children, will be part of a spring book-reading tour aimed at bringing the adventures of Otto and Marta to schools and communities across the state.
Michael Barger, educational coordinator with KAB, highlighted the importance of stories like “The Messy Garden Mystery” in shaping communities that value sustainability. “These stories help lay the foundation for creating communities that value sustainability, instilling lifelong practices that ensure a cleaner, more vibrant Arkansas for generations to come,” said Barger.
For those eager to embark on Otto’s “The Messy Garden Mystery” adventure, free copies of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful storybook are available. Additionally, resources and activities related to Otto the Otter can be found on the Keep Arkansas Beautiful website, while information about Arkansas PBS’s “Mystery League” and free resources can be accessed through the Arkansas PBS website.