Earth is Green and Blue: An International Collaboration of Poetry and Art

Nigerian poet and author Yewande Adebowale has collaborated with Russian illustrator Araz Veliev on the release of Earth is Green and Blue, a children’s picture book that combines poetry and visual storytelling to introduce young readers to the beauty of nature and the importance of environmental awareness.

The publication brings together two artists from different cultural and creative backgrounds in a cross-border partnership that highlights the growing role of international collaboration in children’s literature.

Written for children aged three to five, Earth is Green and Blue features seven rhyming couplets accompanied by colorful illustrations depicting the natural world. Through its combination of simple poetic language and engaging imagery, the book explores the Earth’s landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems while encouraging children to develop an appreciation for their environment.

Adebowale, a Nigerian-born poet based in San Francisco, California, brings extensive literary experience to the project. With a writing career spanning 17 years, she has authored five poetry collections and written more than 500 poems. Her work has appeared in over 100 literary journals and publications internationally, establishing her presence within contemporary poetry.

The collaboration with Veliev marks an expansion of her literary work into illustrated children’s publishing, combining her interest in poetry and environmental themes with visual storytelling.

Veliev, a Russian illustrator, provides the artwork that accompanies Adebowale’s verses. His illustrations translate the book’s environmental themes into colorful visual scenes, making its message accessible to children who are beginning to develop their reading and language skills.

The partnership between the Nigerian writer and Russian artist is a central feature of the publication, demonstrating how literature and illustration can connect creative professionals across national borders.

The book’s environmental focus comes at a time when discussions about climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability continue to influence educational and cultural conversations worldwide. Children’s literature has increasingly become one avenue through which authors and educators introduce younger audiences to nature and environmental responsibility.

Rather than presenting complex scientific explanations, Earth is Green and Blue adopts a literary approach, using rhythm, repetition, and visual imagery to introduce its themes.

The publication also reflects the importance of combining artistic disciplines in early childhood literature. Poetry offers opportunities for language development and sound recognition, while illustrations help young readers interpret ideas and engage with stories independently of their reading abilities.

For Adebowale, the project represents a continuation of her engagement with themes of humanity and the natural environment, while opening her writing to a younger audience.

The book’s release adds to the body of internationally collaborative children’s literature, illustrating how creative partnerships can bring different artistic perspectives to subjects of global relevance.

With its emphasis on nature, accessible language, and illustrated storytelling, Earth is Green and Blue seeks to appeal to parents, educators, and young readers interested in books that combine literary creativity with environmental themes.

The collaboration between Adebowale and Veliev ultimately places a shared concern for the planet at the center of a children’s publishing project that crosses both geographical and artistic boundaries.