ParlAmericas recognizes the importance of promoting leadership and citizen participation from an early age. This is why, in collaboration with member parliaments and civil society partner organizations, we have created or supported a series of children’s books that incorporate principles such as teamwork, respect, equality, responsibility, and care for the environment to encourage inclusive and collaborative leadership models.
Socializing leadership with girls, in particular, contributes to building more democratic societies that promote equality and equity for all people without distinction due to gender, age, ethnicity, or race.
These books, with beautiful illustrations in which children from the Americas and the Caribbean can recognize themselves, constitute a tool that parliamentarians can include in their outreach activities to connect with the child population about what it means to serve their community.
A learning guide ideal for use by teachers, families, and tutors complements each book.
These books have been translated into different languages, including Indigenous ones, to expand their dissemination and reach.
Elena and the Ants: The River Rescue Team
Elena is a shy girl who lives with her family in the town of El Tigre in the Ngäbe Buglé region of Panama. She has small and very observant eyes. She admires nature and does not miss a chance to study everything that surrounds her – especially the ants, whom she considers her friends.
In this story, Elena faces a big problem: the contamination of her town’s river.
Feeling too small for such a big problem, Elena is about to give up until, watching the comings and goings of her ant friends, she asks herself: “How can you make something so big while being so small?” Bit by bit, she learns how to take advantage of her talents and feels empowered to take on her mission.
Author: Lil hArriera
Illustrator: Martanoemi Noriega
E-book available in Spanish, Ngäbere, Dulegaya, Emberá and English
Learning guide available in Spanish, Ngäbere, Dulegaya, Emberá and English
This book was developed in collaboration with the National Forum of Women of Political Parties of Panama (FONAMUPP), with the generous support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
I Lead: Stories of Caribbean Women Leaders
“All great women deserve their stories told, and every child deserves to know them,” is the premise behind I Lead: Stories of Caribbean Women Leaders, a book that shares stories about brave and visionary women leaders who inspired positive change in the Caribbean and around the world.
Flip through the pages of this book to read the stories of trailblazers who stepped up as leaders despite the odds and encouraged others to join their journey in advancing equal rights and social justice. The book includes activities and supplementary information to complement readers’ learning.
Written and illustrated by Oprah C. Francis
E-book available in English
This publication was developed by CIWiL – Caribbean Women in Leadership in the framework of a joint project with ParlAmericas funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
Izzy and her Friends - An adventure through the coral reefs!
Izzy sleeps to the lullaby of the waves crashing against the coral reefs. She plays with coral, sea turtles, fish, manatees, and other small creatures in her dreams. Her first thought is of the sea when she opens her eyes every morning.
Izzy wishes for the sea to be there for her forever, but one day she hears on television that the sea is sick and that the corals are in danger. Worried, she convinces her friends to go find out what is happening. This adventure takes Seydi, Diego, Clara, Carlos, and Izzy to meet fantastic animals and learn about the importance of maintaining a balance with the environment and the value of listening to others while working as a team.
Authors: Gina Sibaja Quesada and Jeannette Soto Segura
Illustrator: Fiorella Artadi
E-book available in Spanish, Bribri, Portuguese and English
Learning guide available in Spanish, Bribri, Portuguese and English
This book was developed in collaboration with the Department of Citizen Participation of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, the Forum of Women Politicians for Costa Rica, and the Front of Women in Political Parties of Costa Rica, with the generous support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
Rocío and the Belled Forest
This story takes place in Akoapa, Honduras, a little town lost on the map but filled with many colours and sounds, and which has been home to Rocío and her family for many generations.
One summer, Rocío realizes that something is not right with the river. The birds’ songs are not as joyful as before, the animals do not drink from its waters, and it is smaller than it used to be. Curious as she is, she gathers her friends and starts investigating!
This story takes us on a journey with Rocío, Martín, Pepe, Margarita, and all the residents of Akoapa, who face the serious problems of the loss of river flow and deforestation. Flip the pages of this book and learn about the empowerment of a community and its ability to innovate to overcome significant challenges.
Authors: Iliana Monzerath Licona Leiva, Mónica Alexandra Torres Rojas and Lissy Mariela Rodríguez Villalvir
Illustrator: Martanoemi Noriega
E-book available in Spanish, Garifuna, Portuguese and English
Learning guide available in Spanish, Garifuna, Portuguese e English
This book was developed in collaboration with the Forum of Political Women of Honduras and the National Congress of Honduras, with the generous support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
Yerutí and the Superheroes for the Planet
Yerutí is a curious girl who is always paying attention to what is happening around her. One day at school, she learns about climate change, its effects, and how it directly affects her family. At first, she feels sad because she wants to do something to help the environment, but she doesn’t know what, or how. After much thought, she decides it’s time to take action and become a superhero for the planet!
Yerutí and the Superheroes for the Planet is a story that introduces concepts about climate change in a way that is accessible for children. It facilitates their understanding and inspires them to take action, while promoting values such as respect, collaboration, and leadership.
Author: ParlAmericas and the General Direction of Institutional Development and External Cooperation of the Chamber of Senators of the Republic of Paraguay
Illustrator: Sofia Amarilla Heyn
Digital book available in Spanish and Guaraní
Learning guide available in Spanish and Guaraní
This book was developed with the generous support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
