A new approach
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A new approach
Date: Dec 3, 2011
Author: Steve RossSix months ago, several folks at Lincoln Park Zoo sat silently around a table. It was one of those awkward silences where everyone looks down at the table rather than eachother. The absense of good ideas hung in the air like a stink.
We had challenged ourselves to find a new and innovative way of addressing the issues that Project ChimpCARE had been facing since its inception. How do we convey to a diverse and broad public that the chimpanzees they see on television and movies are just the veneer covering a long life of hardship?
Then our partners at Manning productions had an idea. They too, had been unaware of these issues and it was apparent that we needed to find a non-judgemental, almost innocent, way of talking about these issues. No one wanted to be beaten over the head with the preachy rhetoric familiar to many in the animal protection world.
So they threw out the idea of a children's book.
I hated the idea.
At least at first. I didn't think we could distill such a complex and sad topic into something that would be appropriate for kids. But a conversation with my 7 year old son that evening changed my mind. My son has always seemed particfulary sensitive to issues about animal welfare and I realized that perhaps part of the reason for that is because I didn't try to water down the issues too much with him. Also, kids are naturally open to new ideas (unless it's some strange new vegetable you want them to eat) and the thought of reaching a wide audience of kids who might be tomorrow's policy makers was appealing.
Within days it was decided. We'd create an interactive children's book so that parents and kids could talk about these issues while simulatneously learning something about chimpanzees. Six months and alot of versions later, we've released "Chimps should be chimps" on the Apple iTunes store.
It's free not because it was easy or inexpensive to create...quite the opposite...but we did want it to get into as many hands as possible. If you have an ipad or know someone who does...download the app yourself and check it out. And if you have the chance, share it with a kid... you might be taking a step towards influencing the next generation of policy makers...
Comments
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Anonymous says...
Are there plans to make the app available to view on the iPhone, iPod touch or iTunes? I would love to see the book and share it with as many people as possible but I don't have access to an iPad.
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Anonymous says...
Are there plans to make the app available to view on the iPhone, iPod touch or iTunes? I would love to see the book and share it with as many people as possible but I don't have access to an iPad.
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