Ecological Consciousness in the Children’s Literatures: One Small Hop, The Leaf Detective, and One Plastic Bag

Abstract

Humans and nature are two things that cannot be separated. Humans take natural resources to fulfill their needs. In this modern era, the motive of humans to exploit nature is no longer just to fulfill their needs but also to gain profit for themselves. The fact that destruction of nature and the depletion of natural resources will threaten the lives of future generations. Therefore, efforts are needed to educate people, especially the next generation, about protecting and preserving nature. This research will examine ecological consciousness in three children's literature books: One Small Hop, The Leaf Detective, and One Plastic Bag. One Small Hop. There are two objectives in this study. The first objective is to describe the ecological consciousness portrayed in One Small Hop, The Leaf Detective, and One Plastic Bag. The second objective is to identify the ways ecological consciousness is portrayed in One Small Hop, The Leaf Detective, and One Plastic Bag. The researcher uses the library method to help the analysis of this research. The primary source of this study is three children's literature entitled One Small Hop by Madelyn Rosenberg (2021), The Leaf Detective by Heather Lang (2021), and One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul (2015). The secondary sources are taken from Ecocriticism books, children's literature books, as well as various journals and articles related to eco-consciousness through children's literature. The ecocriticism approach is used in this study to connect literature and the physical environment. To find out the ecological consciousness, the researcher uses the ecological consciousness theory proposed by Bannan-Watts (2009) and Chang (2002). This study concludes that ecological consciousness depicted in those three children’s literature is understanding the essence of nature, showing concern for the condition of nature, understanding the interdependence between living beings and nature, and knowing the ways nature speaks. Ecological consciousness can be depicted through the character’s actions, speech, and the author’s comments. Children's literature can be used as a tool to encourage young readers to build their relational proximity to nature, raise their awareness of climate change issues, and invite them to engage in environmental activities. This is done through the aforementioned kinds and depiction strategies of ecological consciousness.