Mál- og náttúrmargfeldi - Sjókæti A-OY

In the newly published children’s book Sjókæti A-OY (2025) by Sólrún Michelsen and Annika Øyrabø, the lecture highlights the interrelation between linguistic diversity and biodiversity. A defining feature of children’s literature is its position at the intersection of entertainment and education, often serving as a rapid and responsive medium for articulating contemporary societal concerns. Through the format of an illustrated alphabet book, the authors intertwine two critical and urgent sustainability challenges: the preservation of the Faroese language and the conservation of marine resources.

The book operates on the premise that “what we know and love, we do not destroy,” thereby fostering an emotional and cognitive connection between the reader and the marine environment. It introduces young readers to the richness of oceanic life in a playful and accessible manner, while simultaneously reinforcing the notion that environmental literacy is deeply intertwined with linguistic competence. In doing so, the work underscores the pedagogical potential of children’s literature to cultivate ecological awareness and cultural identity through language.