Titled Touch The Earth, it is inspired by Lennon's 2007 documentary film, Whaledreamers, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and tells the story of an aboriginal tribe in Australia's relationship to whales. It won eight international film festival awards.
Lennon is the creator of The White Feather Foundation, which raise funds for the betterment of all life in areas such as clean water, environment, education and health and protection of indigenous cultures. The books, aimed at three to six year olds, will feature content that supports these ideals.
Touch The Earth is said to be an interactive concept that's "one part story, one part journey, and one part pledge to make the world a better, cleaner place" that will "inspire readers and their grownups to discover new features each time they read the book."
Lennon says the book will hopefully also provide a shared child-parent experience that was sometimes missing from his own life.
"Maybe it’s because of the way that I was brought up in a certain way, such a mishmash of being a child, with the divorce and dad moving away when I was younger that for me this is all about trying to make sure that doesn’t happen with other people," said Lennon in a press release. "It’s about trying to bring kids and parents together in a positive light. There weren’t too many bedtime stories read, sadly, in my childhood. But that’s where I’m hoping to make up for this, for others. I am most enthusiastic about working with Skyhorse and appreciate the sensitive energy and insight given to Touch The Earth."
“It is not only Julian Lennon’s artistry that I admire but his environmental and humanitarian efforts around the world that have filled me with awe," said Skyhorse Group editorial director Mark Gompertz, who brought the books to Sky Pony Press. "When Bart Davis, who I’ve published in the past, told me about this series of books, there was never a doubt in my mind that Sky Pony would be the perfect home for them.”
Davis, who has authored 15 books, including the recent autobiography of Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena Williams, says he hopes the book will empower children.
"It has been a joy collaborating with such a gifted artist as Julian on a book that empowers kids to take on some of our greatest challenges," says Davis. "The book also gives them a wonderful experience as they 'fly' around the world in the WhiteFeatherFlier solving problems."
Watch a trailer from Julian Lennon's 2007 film Whaledreamers
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