Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Book Illustration Challenge

Who is Offering This Project: The Jane Goodall Institute Australia
Location Organisation Operates: Global
Project Genre: Visual Arts
Competition Extended. Entries Now Close: 01 June, 2023

Important resources – please review before you commence your illustration:

FAQ’s – Download here
Teacher & Parent Guide – Download here
Illustration Checklist – Download here
Illustration Guide – Download here

SDGs This Project Will be Working On: 

Brief Description of Project:

This project was borne out of a realisation that there is a lot of media coverage about the countless problems facing our planet, but not enough discussion about the solutions to those problems. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program in partnership with Upschool, has developed a book containing personal letters written by people from around the world, who are doing positive work to benefit people, animals, and the natural environment. In these letters, environmental and social justice activists share their experiences of making a difference, and provide advice for young people who too want to create change, but may not know where to begin.

Instructions for getting involved:

Step 1: Read the letter overviews below & watch the videos
Step 2: Choose a letter that interests you
Step 3: Review the resource guidelines above & create an illustration for your chosen letter
Step 4: Upload your illustration
Step 5: Your illustration will be considered for publication in this book

Selection Criteria

Everyone’s amazing art works will be reviewed by a panel of Upschool educators and Roots & Shoots youth leaders. Illustrations will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Exploration of the letters’ key themes and scenes; and
  • Imagination and creativity shown in expressing the letter topic

Please read through the resources at the top of the page for all important information.

A Personal Message from Dr Jane Goodall

“This is a book that is much needed today. We are going through dark times, politically, socially and environmentally. These letters are inspiring, proving that change happens not only when well known and influential people get involved, but that ‘ordinary’ extraordinary people are all around us, inspiring everyone to take action and to understand that each one of us can work for change. Each letter lights a little lamp in the darkness and hundreds of thousands of little lamps will dispel the darkness altogether. This book will lift the spirits of those who have lost hope, and support the optimism of those who dare to dream of a better world. Thank you Mahima Kalla, Ben Howes, and Nila Taylor for sharing with us.”
– Dr Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE (Founder – the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace)

Letter 1: Bonds Across Borders

Author of Letter: Anam Zakaria
SDG: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (16); Partnerships for the Goals (17)
Values Depicted: Trust and reconciliation, Intercommunal connection and partnerships

Letter Overview: In this letter, Anam shares her experiences of running peace and reconciliation programs, through connecting young people across India and Pakistan. Anam has spent many years interviewing people from both India and Pakistan, and discovered stories of intercommunal friendships and bonds, amid the narratives of war and violence.
Learn more about Anam’s work: 
www.anamzakaria.com
www.citizensarchive.org/projects/exchange-for-change/
www.routes2roots.com
www.projectdastaan.org
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 2: The Story of Stuff

Author of Letter: Annie Leonard
SDG: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (9); Responsible Consumption and Production (12)
Values Depicted: Responsible consumption, Worker rights, Waste minimisation

Letter Overview: In this letter, Annie describes her experience of visiting the Fresh Kills Landfill in New York, which changed the course of her life. After seeing first-hand the effects of landfill waste, she decided to learn more about how we make, use, and throw away ‘stuff’, and educate others about the environmental and social impacts of consumerism.
Learn more about Annie’s work: www.storyofstuff.org
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 3: The Zero Waste Home

Author of Letter: Bea Johnson
SDG: Responsible Consumption and Production (12)
Values Depicted: Connection to nature, Sustainability, The power of personal lifestyle changes
Letter Overview: In this letter, Bea describes an important personal moment when she felt deeply connected with nature. This moment led her to slowly change her own lifestyle. Over the coming months and years, Bea transformed her household into a Zero Waste Home. Now she helps other people around the world reduce their environmental impact by providing practical tips and advice.
Learn more about Bea’s work: www.zerowastehome.com
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 4: Barefoot Brilliance

Author of Letter: Bunker Roy
SDG: No Poverty (1); Quality Education (4); Affordable and Clean Energy (7); Decent Work and Economic Growth (8); Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (9); Partnerships for the Goals (17)
Values Depicted: Power of Indigenous knowledge and practical wisdom, Self-sufficient communities
Letter Overview: In this letter, Bunker describes how witnessing a famine in 1965, led him to give up the path of a traditional college education and professional career, for a simpler life in a village in Rajasthan (India). Bunker started a revolutionary educational institute called the Barefoot College. The Barefoot College helps people with no or limited literacy skills, to become working professionals such as solar engineers, and serve their local communities.
Learn more about Bunker’s work:
www.barefootcollege.org/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qqqVwM6bMM
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 5: Fifteen Trees for a Healthier Planet

Author of Letter: Colleen Filippa
SDG: Climate Action (13); Partnerships for the Goals (17)
Values Depicted: Taking the first step towards your chosen cause, Trusting in the power of providence, Forming partnerships to create a bigger impact

Letter Overview: In this letter, Colleen describes, how even in the midst of self-doubt, she decided to take the first step towards her goal. Colleen started an organisation called Fifteen Trees, which helps individuals and companies offset their carbon footprint by planting trees on their behalf. Once Colleen decided to take the first step, help came from the unlikeliest sources!
Learn more about Colleen’s work: www.15trees.com.au/
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 6: Non-Violence in Education - From Parks to Portland

Author of Letter: Dennis Dalton
SDG: Quality Education (4); Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (16)
Values Depicted: Peace and non-violence education, Learning from the bravery and courage of historical leaders such as Rosa Parks, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King
Letter Overview: In 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery (USA), Dennis Dalton was a high school student. In the following months, he resolved to learn more about the role of nonviolent civil disobedience, and eventually became a professor of Political Science. He has spent decades teaching about the importance of peaceful civil disobedience for promoting social change.
Learn more about Dennis’ work: www.barnard.edu/profiles/dennis-g-dalton
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 7: The Ripple Effect

Author of Letter: Huw Kingston
SDG: Clean Water and Sanitation (6); Sustainable Cities and Communities (11); Responsible Consumption and Production (12); Partnerships for the Goals (17)
Values Depicted: The power of community-led action, Reduction of single-use plastic waste
Letter Overview: In this letter, Huw shares his experiences of a community-led campaign called Bundy on Tap, which led to the town of Bundanoon (Australia) becoming a bottled-water free town. This initiative continues to encourage people to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics, and make other personal changes in their consumption habits to make the world a better place!
Learn more about Huw’s work:
www.huwkingston.com
www.bundanoonontap.com
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 8: Oliver’s Journey Home

Author of Letter: Jill Robinson
SDG: Responsible Consumption and Production (12); Life on Land (15)
Values Depicted: Compassion and empathy for animals, Action for justice, Environmental education
Letter Overview: In this letter, Jill Robinson describes her experiences of rescuing animals from confinement. One particular memory that stands out for Jill, is the rescue of the bear, Oliver, from a bear bile farm in China. After months of care, Oliver bounced back and had the chance to enjoy his remaining life, freely playing in the grass under open skies; even unwrapping gifts of fruits, nuts and mince pies on Christmas!
Learn more about Jill’s work: www.animalsasia.org 
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 9: Joy to the World

Author of Letter: Judy Okong’o
SDG: Good Health and Wellbeing (3); Quality Education (4); Reduced Inequalities (10)
Values Depicted: Persevering and not giving up, The role of schools in promoting children’s wellbeing, How our positive impact can start small and grow big over time, Feeling joy along the journey
Letter Overview: While working as a polio immunisation volunteer in Kenya, Judy saw hundreds of children without access to education, healthcare, and basic life necessities. One day, she decided to start her own school to not only provide quality education to children, but also hygiene education, and healthy meals. Today, Judy’s Joylanders School has grown into a holistic educational institution that prides itself on its quality competency-based curricula, arts programs, outdoor excursions, and environmental learning activities.
Learn more about Judy’s work: www.joylandersschool.wixsite.com/index
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 10: Nuclear Abolition - Making a Dream a Reality

Author of Letter: Kate Dewes
SDG: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (16); Partnerships for the Goals (17)
Values Depicted: The power of individual action, Community led initiative, Nuclear disarmament, Peace-building is a marathon, not a sprint!
Letter Overview: Kate Dewes has spent decades in the pursuit of a more peaceful and nuclear weapon free future. Kate first learnt about the horrors of nuclear weapons, when she was a high school music teacher and had to teach the Threnody (‘song of lament’) for the Victims of Hiroshima (Japan). Since then, Kate has worked tirelessly, both at grassroots and strategic advisory levels, advocating for a more peaceful future for us all.
Learn more about Kate’s work: www.disarmsecure.org
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 11: Share Your Soles

Author of Letter: Mona Purdy
SDG: Good Health and Wellbeing (3); Reduced Inequalities (10); Partnerships for the Goals (17)
Values Depicted: The power of a single idea and mission, Small acts of help and kindness can make a big difference to people’s health and wellbeing
Letter Overview: While running a half marathon in Guatemala, Mona saw how not having shoes can cause infections and affect children’s health. So, she organised a charitable drive to send shoes to an orphanage in Guatemala, but soon realised that she wanted to do a lot more. Since then, Mona has helped donate millions of new and gently worn shoes to communities across Central and North America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Learn more about Mona’s work: www.shareyoursoles.org
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 12: From Dream to Reality

Author of Letter: Naomi Rose
SDG: Life below Water (14)
Values Depicted: Childhood dream becoming a reality, Experiencing the beauty of oceans and nature, Keeping the hope alive amid extinction and other environmental issues
Letter Overview: In this letter, Naomi shares how a childhood experience of watching dolphins play in the ocean, on a TV program inspired her dream to learn more about these majestic marine creatures. This experience led Naomi to dedicate her life to studying marine mammals and advocating for conservation of life below water.
Learn more about Naomi’s work: https://awionline.org/awi-quarterly/2013-fall/dr-rose-tackles-thorny-issues-marine-mammal-captivity
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 13: The Green Bronx Machine

Author of Letter: Stephen Ritz
SDG: No Poverty (1); Zero Hunger (2); Good Health and Well Being (3); Quality Education (4); Sustainable Cities and Communities (11); Responsible Consumption and Production (12)
Values Depicted: Self sufficiency, Education, Innovation for Prosperity, Community
Letter Overview: In this letter, Stephen Ritz talks about the way that he incorporated urban gardening into the classroom, resulting in remarkable outcomes in underserved schools, with a history of low student attendance, and high levels of homelessness and drug use. Stephen has dedicated his life to helping young people thrive and lead healthier lives.
Learn more about Stephen’s work: www.greenbronxmachine.org
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Letter 14: The Indomitable Human Spirit

Author of Letter: Tim Costello
SDG: No Poverty (1); Partnerships for the Goals (17)
Values Depicted: Finding hope in desperate situations, Power of the human spirit and courage
Letter Overview: In this letter, Tim recounts an experience of meeting a woman who had faced unimaginable tragedy, in a refugee camp in Sudan. Tim shares that despite the injustices of our world, he has also seen humans display amazing acts of courage and generosity.
Learn more about Tim’s work: www.micahaustralia.org/about-us/
Illustration Guide & Illustration Checklist – Download in resources at top of page

Any/all submissions to Upschool, JGIA or any associated organisations that have been provided by you may be published in (and not limited to) the book described in this Challenge, as well as in any of Upschool’s, JGIA’s or associated organisations’ social media accounts, websites, partner websites, print publications, product packaging and more, at our sole discretion. If we use any of your designs, illustrations, words or similar on any book, product or similar, you understand and agree that you cannot make any royalty claims for its use. 

For the avoidance of doubt, you hereby agree and accept that any submission made by you to Upschool or JGIA or any associated entities as part of this or any Challenge listed on Upschool.co can be used by Upschool, JGIA or any associated entities for any purpose, and that this will not entitle you to compensation, payment or any type of royalty for the use of your work, or any part of your work, at any time. By making a submission to this Challenge, you declare that the work is your own and not copied from another source. 

We may publish your full name if you tell us you are over the age of 18 years. If you tell us that you are under 18 years, only your first name will be published with any works unless your parent/guardian/caregiver gives us prior written consent. We may publish your country, state, city or school name if you share that with us. 

If you are under 18 years of age, please seek parent, caretaker or guardian consent and have them complete the submission form on your behalf, as these Terms and conditions can only be approved by adults (over 18 years). Students must have the permission of a parent, teacher or guardian to submit a response.

Children, you are not permitted to submit a response without the permission of a parent, teacher or guardian. Please speak to one of these people prior to submitting your response.