Children’s book Isis and her friends, an adventure through the reefs! launched in the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica
This morning saw the launch of the children’s book Isis and her friends, an adventure through the reefs!—a story that promotes values of cooperation, equality, environmental protection, and girls’ leadership. The book tells the story of Isis and her four friends who embark on an adventure to uncover the mystery of why the reefs are deteriorating. Through their conversations with various animals, they learn about the concept of ecosystems and the importance of ecological balance, the value of listening to the opinions of others, and the features of democratic systems, such as voting.
Composed by Costa Rican writers Gina Sibaja Quesada and Jeannette Soto Segura, illustrated by Fiorella Artadi, and designed by Eynar Becerra, the book is a joint effort by ParlAmericas and the Department of Citizen Participation of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, with the support of the Government of Canada. It includes an accompanying teaching guide with reflections and questions, and will be distributed free of charge by the Department of Citizen Participation to various educational institutions, libraries, and social organizations, while also being available electronically.
The book launch was held at the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica and was led by Member of the Legislative Assembly María Marta Carballo, First Secretary of the Legislative Assembly; Cindy Quesada, Minister for the Status of Women; Member of the Legislative Assembly Carolina Delgado, President of the Special Standing Committee on Women and ParlAmericas Board Member; Juan Carlos Chavarria, Director of Citizen Participation of the Legislative Assembly and Coordinator for Central America of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Staff Network on Open Parliament; Dana Cryderman, representative of the political section of the Embassy of Canada in Costa Rica; Rodrigo Arias Camacho, Rector of Universidad Estatal a Distancia; and Marianela Rojas Garbanzo, Deputy Rector of Universidad Nacional.
The launch event included a performance by the Castella Conservatory Choir and two panel discussions that addressed the importance of innovative strategies to build inclusive citizenship and promote participatory leadership from an early age. Both sessions included the participation of children from various educational institutions and featured prominent panellists representing civil society organizations and academia.
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Member of the Legislative Assembly Carolina Delgado, ParlAmericas Board Member
“Considering the experience of ParlAmericas in launching a children’s book with a similar purpose in Panama, I am pleased that we have been able to develop this project in Costa Rica, and I am convinced that it will lead to fruitful reflections and conversations for girls, boys, adolescents, and adults who have the pleasure of reading it in our country, promoting leadership and participation from an early age, which are central to our democracy.”
