St Mary's Alumnus Published Debut Children's Book about Global Warming

Alumnus Karim Vatvani who studied BA Primary Education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham has published his first children’s book The Reluctant Eskimo.

The book follows the day-to-day life of Pukak, an Eskimo who lives in an igloo in the Arctic. However, one day when a Government official arrives with some alarming news and Pukak has no choice but to handle the consequences of the changing climate.

Karim is a primary school teacher who frequently creates stories on environmental issues for his pupils and this is the first in a series of three children’s books that he is writing with an emphasis on the environment. All proceeds (except the publisher’s commission) are being donated to charities to help combat climate change.

Speaking of his achievement, author Karim Vatvani said “It is truly an honour to see my story be brought to life. I have loved stories and storytelling for as long as I can remember and the thought of one of my stories being published for other children to read and enjoy fills me with happiness. I am hopeful that the message that I convey, and hope to convey in my next stories, will have a profound effect on my readers and will inspire them to be the catalyst of change in a world that is constantly being threatened by climate change.”

Director of the Institute of Education at St Mary’s, Anna Lise Gordon, said “We are thrilled to hear of Karim’s publication based on stories that he has told to children in his primary class. Karim aims to inspire the younger generation to think about our impact on the world and to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. Karim credits his education tutors at St Mary’s University with inspiring his storytelling and we look forward to many more children’s stories from Karim in the future.”

The book can be purchased on Amazon.