My Green Journal with Benjy

I wish to introduce you to a journal I have created for children of primary school age called “My Green Journal with Benjy”. All illustrations are made by myself. I found that the children really liked that, as opposed to a perfect computer-generated drawing, as they can identify with it more easily.

Benjy’s mission is to educate children, through a really fun and interactive diary on how you can help save the planet.

Benjy is an adorable penguin who teaches children many things about the environment, recycling, the animals, the sea, the flowers, the plants, the trees, and science, as well as guiding them through mindfulness.

Much more than an ordinary diary, it will help children to think and reflect on certain topics and within themselves too, in a gentle and fun way. Helping children become more mindful and aware of their feelings.

Recent times have had us all spending more time at home, and in nature; it has become more important to all of us as we seek solace in our garden, and the wildlife around us. Benjy’s Green Journal is even more relevant as children and parents can enjoy it together at home and not only in the classroom.

Special needs assistants and parents of children on the spectrum have reported that their child was spellbound by the journal and were asking to write or draw and were fascinated by the facts that Benjy was presenting them with every day.

There is no date on each day, children put the date themselves, so that parents can purchase the book any time of the year, and children are not under any pressure to start or finish the book at a certain time. They can start the book at any page.

At the top of the page are facts that Benjy tells the children about certain topics, like the environment, of animals, or science, one week per topic.

In the middle of the page, there is a space where children can write whatever they wish.

At the end of the page, Benjy asks children questions about their everyday life and also about their mood, and invites them to reflect on certain topics relating to their life. Benjy also asks them fun questions which allow children to let their imagination and sense of fun abound.

There is a system of stickers which rewards the children every time they responds to Benjy’s call to action, regarding the environment and recycling. The stickers can be found at the end of the book, and they can stick them on the next page.

Every 3 months, in “Benjy’s corner”, Benjy asks children questions about their well-being and their state of mind, in a gentle manner, mixing mindfulness and fun.

There is a diploma at the end of the year from Benjy Academy, to thank the children to have helped him taking care of the planet.

There are 432 pages, one page per day for the whole year.

The book comes with a hand-made bookmark by myself as a present for each child, with a little penguin attached to it.

This is a unique diary and there is nothing like this out there on the market to date.

Benjy Testimonials from parents and children can be found on Benjy’s website.  Benjy has his own website, with lots of fun videos!