“I want them to say to themselves, ‘I CAN DO THIS! WHAT I DO MAKES A DIFFERENCE.’”
– Tania Moloney
Environmental awareness has become crucial. Given this, Tania Moloney, founder of Nurture in Nature Australia, strives to inspire the next generation of eco-conscious individuals. Through her work, she emphasizes that every small action can create meaningful change. As a dedicated mother and educator, Tania has spent over a decade collaborating with parents and teachers globally to foster connections between children and the natural world. She leads professional development workshops and outdoor learning initiatives, including her innovative mobile classroom, The Nature Bus.
“Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World,” her first children’s book, winner of the BREW Children’s Book Excellence Award 2024 Book of the Year among many other awards, captures her lifelong love of the outdoors and her goal of encouraging kids to take an active role in environmental stewardship. In order to reaffirm that young readers can, in fact, make a difference in the world, this article explores Tania’s observations about how her books and activities inspire young readers to understand their potential effect.
Join us as we look into Tania Moloney’s journey and her vision for a greener future, where every child can confidently declare, “I CAN DO THIS!”
TWB: Your book “Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World” has won the BREW Children’s Book Excellence Award 2024 for Nature Book of the Year and Children’s Book of the Year. What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you think it will impact the book’s reach and influence?
TM: When I received the news that ‘Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World’ had won both Children’s Book of the Year and also the Nature Book of the Year in the BREW Children’s Book Excellence Awards 2024, I was very surprised and excited—especially as it is my debut book!
And I was also truly grateful to know that my little book with its big message is resonating so strongly with readers.
There are so many talented authors and illustrators who pour their hearts into their creations, and it’s very humbling to be recognised in such good company.
I think when you’re sitting in your office tapping away on the keyboard (or out on a nature walk, which is where I found that my ideas for the book really flowed), you often wonder if what you’re creating is any good.
So, it’s such a lovely feeling to know that my book is worthy of awards and that the huge amount of time, effort, learning, and heart that goes into writing and bringing a children’s book into the world has been recognised professionally.
These awards not only expand the visibility of the book, but they show people that “Hey, this really is a book worthy of your time and your investment if you buy a copy!”
And, if they buy a copy—or borrow one from a library or a friend—then my book makes its way into the hands, minds, and hearts of children, which is right where it belongs!
Winning an award is also pretty great motivation to continue writing and creating more books.
I’m just really hoping that when I write the rest of the Nature Ninja book series (and other books that are swirling around in my creative brain), I can take what I’ve learnt from creating this first book and continue to build on the success, reach, and impact of the first one!
TWB: Can you share the inspiration behind “Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World”? What motivated you to create a story that encourages children to take action in caring for nature?
TM: My book is such a natural extension of the work (and play) I do in my small business, Nurture in Nature Australia, and I often use other fabulous picture books to springboard off into nature and environmental stewardship experiences and lessons.
I always thought how cool it would be to create my own book, that I—and others—could use as inspiration and to springboard off too. And now my book is doing just that, and it is really cool!
The place where nature and stories meet is a really special and powerful place, and combining them in a way that gets kids hands-on with books and nature is such a great way to engage them and inspire them to take action.
TWB: The book has also received acclaim from other prestigious awards. What do you believe sets “Nature Ninja” apart from other children’s books in the environmental genre?
TM: Gosh, there are so many great children’s nature books. I’ll admit that I am a little bit of a children’s nature book nerd, and my bookshelves are full of them!
I think one thing that Nature Ninja does really well is that it is really empowering for children when they see Nature Ninja, who’s a kid ninja (just like them), being the one who has the ideas, leads the way, and takes the action.
It shows kids that they have great ideas and that it doesn’t always have to be the adults who are coming up with the answers.
Boobook, who’s the wise owl mentor in the story, guides Nature Ninja with wise words, but never gives the answer to any of the challenges Nature Ninja comes across in the story. This sees Nature Ninja developing a real sense of agency and confidence.
The characters too are fun, relatable, and playful. They provide really good role models for children (and adults alike) to show that kids really are amazing problem-solvers and that their voices and ideas do matter.
I also think that you can’t go wrong with a good stick character in a kids’ book! Nature Ninja’s trusty sidekick Stick, the Stick, is always a real crowd favourite!
TWB: One of the key messages in your book is that even small actions can make a big difference for the planet. How do you hope this message will resonate with young readers and their families?
TM: I really want children to know that their actions to care for nature right where they live can and do make a difference, and to see that there are so many others who are doing what they can where they live too—all around the world.
They start to realise that all of these small actions are adding together to make a big positive impact for the health of our planet.
I want them to say to themselves, “I CAN DO THIS! WHAT I DO MAKES A DIFFERENCE.”
I also really hope that my book helps inspire kids and their families to want to get out and get into nature more often—if it does that, then Nature Ninja’s mission is accomplished!
In the words of one reader, an 8-year-old boy, who said: “I think this book is inspiring. When I finished it I sort of wanted to go gardening. And I never like gardening!”
I loved hearing that! It made me laugh and happy cry at the same time!
TWB: As the Founder of Nurture in Nature Australia, you’ve been a strong advocate for nature play and outdoor learning. How does your work with educators and parents influence the themes and messages in your book?
TM: When I talk with parents and educators, often they think they don’t have enough knowledge and skills to open the door to outdoor learning and nature connection opportunities as much as they’d like to.
I’m so lucky that my book is such a natural extension of my work, and I’m really privileged to have the opportunity to work and play with teachers and parents in ways that help them to feel supported, inspired, empowered, and excited about taking learning and play with their children into the great outdoors.
Often all you have to do as an adult is simply open the door, and the combination of kids and nature does the rest on its own!
It’s even better when the adults let their hair down a bit and give themselves permission to play too.
TWB: The book features vibrant illustrations and a rich use of language. How did you and Jelena Sardi collaborate to ensure that the visual and textual elements would captivate and educate young readers?
TM: Being both Jelena and my first foray into the world of children’s picture books, it was a pretty steep learning curve and thrilling journey for both of us.
I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted the book and illustrations to look and feel like to complement and enhance the text, but I really trusted Jelena and gave her a lot of freedom to do what she does best—create fun and beautiful illustrations that help tell the story!
We had lots of Zoom calls and emails back and forth. We talked about what Nature Ninja’s backyard should look like and what plants and creatures lived there. I wanted it to feel like a little Australian backyard, and it really does. Although she’s from Croatia and lives in Canada, I actually think she secretly lives in my backyard in Noorat. She nailed it!
All throughout the process, Jelena was really intuitive, and she is just so talented. Her creativity and attention to detail really help enhance the words and the meaning on each of the pages and the story overall.
There are so many small, intentional details in the illustrations that maybe on the first read you might miss, but as you read the book over and over, you start to notice little details that enhance both the text and the fun!
There is a little grasshopper for children to find on each page that is always doing something that relates to what’s happening in the story. For example, when it’s sitting on the Bee Hotel that Nature Ninja has built, the grasshopper has a broom and is wearing an apron. There’s one four-leaf clover amongst the three-leaf ones; the wind progressively blows the seeds from a dandelion in the garden over the pages, and there’s even a chicken crossing the road on the final page spread!
Those tiny details really help captivate young readers, and both Jelena and I are really looking forward to creating the rest of the Nature Ninja series together.
TWB: “Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World” offers additional resources for teachers and parents. How important is it for you to extend the book’s impact beyond its pages into practical, everyday actions?
TM: Receiving feedback from children, parents, and teachers about the positive impact of ‘Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World’ always touches my heart and reassures me that it’s making a difference, just as I hoped.
The resources I’ve created help make going beyond the book and into the real world easy and fun, and it helps inspire and empower their young Nature Ninjas.
Many children are disengaged from or often don’t have the opportunity to engage in regular and meaningful nature experiences. It’s really important that we give kids the opportunity to fall in love with nature from an early age so that they can learn to appreciate it, protect it, and want to be actively engaged in caring for it throughout their lives.
I’ve also created a variety of programs that teachers and parents can integrate into their learning and activities that provide ideas and activities that are fun and inspiring for young children to engage in nature play and learning.
TWB: As you look ahead, what are your hopes for the future of the Nature Ninja series? How do you envision it evolving and continuing to inspire young readers?
TM: Oh wow, I have so many ideas and dreams for the Nature Ninja series!
There are just so many amazing environmental challenges that kids face that I want to tackle with Nature Ninja! I see it as an opportunity to dive deeper into different themes, such as waste and recycling, native plants and animals, and renewable energy.
I also want Nature Ninja to explore different ways of caring for and learning about the environment that kids can relate to. Nature Ninja’s adventures could go beyond their own backyard, and each book could have a different theme for nature lovers to explore—different ecosystems, animals, plants, and ideas for conservation.
As well, I really want to encourage young readers to contribute their own ideas and stories. The possibilities really are endless, and I just know that there are a lot of creative young minds out there!
TWB: What advice would you give to aspiring children’s authors who wish to create impactful stories that address important topics like environmental stewardship?
TM: Firstly, I want to say that if you have a story to tell, go for it! You have something special and unique to share with the world.
Look for those moments of magic in your everyday life and experiences. My book really was inspired by the conversations I had with the kids I work with.
Writing can feel daunting, but it’s not about perfection. It’s about getting your story down on paper. You can always refine and revise later.
Also, don’t forget to infuse your story with fun! Kids love to laugh and learn, so be sure to let your playful side shine through your words.
The most important part of your story is its heart and message, so make sure that shines through!
TWB: Finally, how can readers find “Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World” and support your mission of fostering environmental awareness in children?
TM: You can find “Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World” through all good bookstores, both online and in person, or through my website (nurtureinnature.com.au), where you can find links to buy the book and access loads of other great resources and activities!
I’d love to see more children connecting with nature through my book and other awesome nature books.
And don’t forget to support your local library—they can always order a copy in if they don’t have it!
Together, we can help children nurture a love for nature, and I’d love to hear about the ways that kids are using the ideas in the book to care for their local environment and how they’re turning into their own little Nature Ninjas!
I invite readers to connect with me via social media and join our Nurture in Nature community, where we can support and inspire each other in our nature adventures. Thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It is so important for children to feel hopeful – not helpless – about the ‘state of the environment.’”
– Tania Moloney
Useful Links
- Nurture in Nature Australia website
- Nature Ninja book webpage
- Nurture in Nature’s Facebook page
- Tania Moloney’s LinkedIn
- More about the BREW Book, Blog, and Poetry Awards.
Share Your Insights
We’d love to hear your thoughts on Tania Moloney’s inspiring work and her book! Share your insights in the comments below:
- How do you think children’s literature can influence environmental awareness?
- What actions do you encourage in young people to help the environment?
- Have you read “Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World”? What did you think?
Alignment with the UN SDGs
Tania Moloney’s work and her book, Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World, align closely with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of education, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. Here’s how her efforts relate to specific SDGs:
SDG 4: Quality Education
Moloney emphasizes the importance of environmental education by engaging children, parents, and educators in learning about nature. Through workshops and her book, she fosters an educational environment that empowers children to recognize their potential as change-makers. Her mobile classroom, The Nature Bus, exemplifies innovative educational practices that enhance learning outside traditional settings.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The message of taking small actions to care for the environment promotes sustainable practices. By instilling an awareness of environmental stewardship in young readers, Moloney encourages behaviors that support responsible consumption and the reduction of waste, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Through her storytelling and activities, Moloney raises awareness about climate-related issues and inspires children to take action. Her book aims to cultivate a sense of responsibility and agency in young readers, motivating them to engage in actions that contribute positively to the environment.
SDG 15: Life on Land
Moloney’s focus on connecting children with nature directly supports the goal of protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. By encouraging outdoor play and learning, she helps foster a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
By collaborating with educators and parents globally, Moloney demonstrates the value of partnerships in achieving sustainability goals. Her work fosters a network of individuals committed to nurturing eco-consciousness in children, highlighting the importance of community engagement in environmental education.
In summary, Tania Moloney’s initiatives through Nature Ninja Saves the Natural World not only educate children but also inspire a generation of eco-heroes committed to making a difference in their communities and the world.
Our Publications
Tania Moloney also appears on the cover of our October 2024 edition dedicated to nature and sustainability.
Get your copies of all The World’s Best Magazine editions through the links below:
⭐October 2025 Edition paperback | digital
⭐July 2025 Edition paperback | digital
⭐April 2025 Edition paperback | digital
⭐October 2024 Edition paperback | digital
⭐July 2024 Edition paperback | digital
⭐April 2024 Edition paperback | digital
⭐March 2024 Edition paperback | digital
⭐February 2024 Edition paperback | digital
⭐July 2023 Edition paperback | digital
⭐April 2023 Edition paperback | digital
Welcome to The World’s Best Magazine‘s “Discovering Harmony” series, where we look into the intricate relationship between nature and sustainability. This collection of articles is designed to illuminate the pressing environmental challenges and celebrate the innovative solutions shaping our future.
Exclusive Interviews: Voices of Change
In our exclusive interviews, we sit down with leading environmentalists, visionary scientists, and influential policymakers who are driving the sustainability movement. These thought-provoking conversations offer a glimpse into their groundbreaking work and personal journeys, providing insights into how they are making a tangible impact on our world.
Expert Round-Ups: Collective Wisdom
Our expert round-ups bring together diverse perspectives from specialists across various fields. These curated discussions explore the latest research, trends, and strategies in sustainability. Whether it’s advances in renewable energy, the latest in conservation technology, or grassroots initiatives making waves, these articles showcase the collective wisdom of those at the forefront of environmental change.
In-Depth Features: Stories of Innovation
Through compelling features, we highlight groundbreaking projects and success stories from around the globe. Our “Featured Lists” listicle articles will spotlight top innovations, impactful initiatives, and key trends in sustainability. These engaging lists provide a snapshot of the best practices, tools, and ideas driving progress in environmental stewardship.
Interactive Insights: Engaging with the Issue
To further enrich your experience, we include our usual People’s Choice polls where readers can vote for their favorite innovations, solutions, and perspectives. This interactive element not only lets you engage directly with the content but also helps shape the ongoing conversation about sustainability. Your votes and opinions provide valuable feedback and foster a dynamic dialogue around the critical issues we cover.
Join us on this journey as we explore the vital intersection of nature and sustainability. Discovering Harmony is more than just a series—it’s a call to action for a world where human progress and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
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I have faith in the Nature Ninjas generation! Of course, solving environmental issues is not just our individual responsibility, but books like this can help kids feel less helpless in front of the impending environmental crisis. I love the author’s thought of including kids’ ideas in further installments of the series.
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