Local Author's New Book Educates Kids about Climate Change

In his newest children's book The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge (Scholastic Press 2010), well-known author and illustrator Bruce Degen tackles the topic of climate change.

But the lessons in the book are not just something about which he writes, they are practices the Newtown resident tries to include in his own life.

For instance, Degen has a studio on his Hattertown property, which means his commute from home to work is a walk down the driveway.

"Now we try to consolidate our driving.  Sometimes we don't have to take the car out at all," he says.  "Sometimes when we see the massive SUV's and military style vehicles driving by we wonder if Newtowners are equipping themselves to invade and occupy Monroe."

Degen, who has lived in town for 20 years, is best known for his work on the Magic School Bus books and as the author and illustrator of the enduring rhythmic read-aloud Jamberry.  

"I can't say enough nice things about him," Alana Bennison, C.H. Booth children's librarian, says of Degen. "He's a great friend of the library and an icon in children's literature.  The Magic School Bus books are still very popular with the children."

Part of the appeal of the series  is the fun way that information is presented.  The books have a unique layout with pages that are a jumble of information. There is a storyline, but also sidebars with facts and speech bubbles with funny lines and jokes.

"Our aim is always to make the concepts strong and clear and usable," Degen says, "and also to be funny and interesting so that the kids will love the science and have a lot of fun along the way."

Getting all this information out in a clear way creates a challenge for the production team.  The sketch dummy layout often goes through five major layers of change and many more minor ones.

It seems intuitive that technology would make it easy for collaboration among the team members who create the books, such as the expert editors, science consultants and authors Joanna Cole and Degen.  But that's not the case, Degen says.

"We are so 'pre-virtual,'" he says. "Everything is done on real paper."

His drawing style is well-known and appreciated by many, as seen in Jane Yolen's Commander Toad books and Jazzmatazz by Stephanie Calmenson, who recently had an author appearance at C.H. Booth Library.

His newest release, The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge, takes Ms. Frizzle aka "the Friz" and her class on a trip back in time to see the changes caused by increased carbon dioxide output.  The students explore alternative energy sources that towns can make on a macro level, but also small changes that consumers can make at home and choices such as using both sides of paper.

Degen refers to his first year in town as his "Newtown Honeymoon," when he felt as if he was walking on air.  Though he's come back down to earth, Degen says he "loves so much about Newtown he couldn't hope to make a fair list."

He cites as factors, "the sense of history and the preservation of the beautiful old buildings, the beautiful main street, the Newtown Bee, the terrific library, forest preserves, the wonderful people, the volunteerism, and the many people who contribute to make this a place with a real sense of caring."

But through the years the town has added new strip malls which require consumers to drive everywhere, says Degen, who reminisced about years past when Newtown residents could park in one place and walk to the bank, the post office and the hardware store all in the center of town.

"But I can't speak for all of Newtown," he says.  "There are so many intelligent people here, and I am sure many are doing things that are conserving energy and improving the outlook for the future."

As for Degen's professional future, he will soon begin his part on the next Magic School Bus project and is working on a book called I Gotta Draw!