Voice of the Children
A book by children, on how to improve the world
From Ri Ferrier
In September 2007, Leaf and Star Publishing invited every primary school in the UK to participate in a new project designed to bring the voices of the children to the decision makers, the politicians in the United Kingdom. Children between the ages of 9 and 11 were asked to answer the question "How would you improve the world you live in?"
Many beautiful, inspiring and thought provoking poems, drawings and songs were sent in, in response to this request. What you are about to read will give you a good idea of where the young people in Great Britain are coming from. It may interest you to know that every Member of Parliament will receive a free copy of "Voice of the Children". This was Ri Ferrier's idea — because it is her wish to help the children see that their opinions do count, and that they have the power to make a difference in the world around them.
Song (on CD)
Making people happy and laugh out loud
Showing everyone you're a smiling cloud!
Why destroy when you can find and make?
Let's re-cycle, let's re-create!
We should come together and do our chores.
We've got all we want so why make wars?
Get more water for Africa,
Help them survive all disaster.
That's what'll make a better world,
That's what'll make a better world,
So come on let's make a better world,
Come on let's make a better world,
Oh come on yeh!
Let's stop destruction — in a world of strife,
Let's give people a better life.
Let's stop the war happening in Iraq
Let 'em go home let the soldiers pack
No more violence! Let the animals be!
No more hunger or poverty.
No more guns. Stop global warming,
This is our message — the peoples warning!
That's what'll make a better world,
That's what'll make a better world,
So come on let's make a better world,
Come on let's make a better world,
Oh come on yeh!
Smoking and drugs will harm your veins,
Destroy your body and bring you pain.
Come on let's give some charity
To help the poor get aid help the blind to see
Let's help the poor get food and money
And help the children who have no mummys
Let's rescue the children living on the streets
Let's give them some shelter and food to eat
That's what'll make a better world,
That's what'll make a better world,
So come on let's make a better world,
Come on let's make a better world,
Oh come on yeh!
(repeat)
The world is dying
The children are crying
Donate your money
So they can keep healthy
(repeat x 4)
Harriet Duke, George Halligan, Rhys Fitzsimons, Andrew Vare (aged 10)
Kate Howard, Lindsay Radford, Lizzie Stansfield, Tom Partridge, Yasmin Ali, Charley Booth (aged 11)
Dowson Primary School, Cheshire. With local songwriter — Andy Perry.
Our Father,
Who art in Heaven,
Help us to make,
A greener and better world,
Where people protect,
The beauty that you have created,
By not dropping litter,
And let us not use,
Plastic bags
But lead us to recycle,
But deliver us from laziness,
And let us use public transport,
For thine is the beautiful kingdom,
The planet and the Universe,
For ever and ever,
Amen
Olivia Tenquist, aged 11, The Grange Junior School, Cheshire
War and peace,
Two brothers,
Neither can ever hope to truly win,
Always loss will prevail…
Fate is a cruel mistress.
Sometimes she gives
Certain lands power,
But nothing lives forever.
Death isn't wrong.
Its natural.
But it's when man challenges god himself.
And turns whole countries into desolate waste lands
It's wrong.
So wrong….
When did we lose our faith?
When did our love for this magical world disappear?
That is something only we can answer.
In the end we realize that the battle is far from won,
That we must safeguard life and peace,
Look after this planet that man has made his own
Yet has shamelessly destroyed,
It's not fate that's killing the world.
It's us.
"I wrote this poem because I wanted to write a really powerful poem about the impact of war on mankind.
Everyone should work for world peace."
Zak Thomas-Akoo, aged 11, Rodborough Primary School, Stroud
I want a world in which children can be free to go round the block by themselves. I get quite scared because there are lots of stories in the newspaper about children being attacked. Children in the past could go around on their own but now they have to have parents to protect them. I wish I was not scared any more.
Rebecca Hupp, aged 10, St George's Primary School, Edinburgh
Why do we allow all these animals to suffer,
We wouldn't do that sort of thing to each other.
For perfume, cosmetics, and shampoo,
Please tell me why we do the things we do.
Every few seconds an animal is dying,
Yet no tears are shed in crying.
We try and convince ourselves that it is right,
Just so that we can sleep soundly at night.
Did you know that thousands of animals die every year,
but, we choose to ignore it and not to hear.
We tell ourselves that this killing cannot be a sin,
Even though innocent lives are just thrown in a bin.
What could they have possible done to deserve this fate,
these animals that trust and show no hate.
Protect my animal's God commanded us,
But we prefer to blindly accept, than make a fuss.
Yet, if we all stood up and worked together,
I know we could stop animal testing forever.
But, we would need to be true and strong,
and accept that what we currently do is wrong.
Thomas Rees, St Sebastians C of E Primary School, Berks
About Ri Ferrier:
Ri Ferrier is the editor-in-chief at Leaf and Star Publishing — a new, independent publisher based in the UK. Her vision is to strive to honour the shining light within each child, and to support and nurture their growth and development. According to Ri, "each child is a blessing — and a seed of hope for the future" — and she encourages everyone to remember this.
Her first book — Sylver's Quest was published in December 2007; it is a story for 6-9 year olds that brings magic, unicorns and adventure together. Ri's most recent work, Voice of the Children, was written by 9-11 year olds from all over the United Kingdom. The book is a compilation of children's responses to the question, 'How would you improve the world you live in?' To contact Ri Ferrier go to www.leafandstar.co.uk or email her at: riferrier@waitrose.com
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