Retired Cornwall Teacher Publishes Environmental Storybook for Children

Published On: 17 December 2025Last Updated: 17 December 2025By CornishStuff

A retired Cornwall teacher has written a new environmental storybook designed to help children understand compassion, conservation and global citizenship through storytelling.

A Story Rooted in Real Experience

The Rimba has been authored by Jane Griffiths, a former teacher from Cornwall. The book blends lyrical poetry with narrative storytelling and follows the journey of a wise orangutan who acts as the guardian of the rainforest, rising to protect her home and the creatures that rely on it.

Jane’s inspiration came from a visit to Borneo in 2018, where she learned about the impact of palm oil production on rainforest habitats. During that trip, she also discovered that avoiding palm oil entirely was not the most effective response, and that choosing sustainable palm oil offered a more positive solution.

As Jane explains:
“Seeing the destruction firsthand led me to examine my buying habits. However, I knew this wouldn’t be enough to make a real impact so, after much research, I gave talks at local schools, met with managers at Newquay Zoo, and helped Newquay to become a sustainable palm oil town. It became a passion and led to the creation of ‘The Rimba’.”

Praise From Conservation Voices

The book has received praise from several well known figures in wildlife and conservation.

Wildlife TV presenter Michaela Strachan said:
“‘The Rimba is a beautifully written book, evocative, poignant and heart breaking but has a powerful message of hope about sustainable palm oil growing. I hope, with all my heart, that the message in this poem, about palm oil becoming deforestation free, becomes a reality.”

Conservationist Michelle Desilets, founder of the Orangutan Land Trust and former head of Borneo Orangutan Survival UK, added:
“‘The Rimba’ is a must have for every home with children and every school library. It magically weaves a poetic story and richly atmospheric illustrations with a thought-provoking lesson on your shared responsibility to protect the planet and the species that call it home. The message that ‘The Rimba’ imparts captures my own feelings as an orangutan conservationist.”

Supporting Conservation Through Sales

All proceeds from The Rimba support carefully selected orangutan charities, including Cornwall based OVAID. Purchases by schools and families contribute directly to conservation efforts while supporting local authors and illustrators.

The book has been illustrated by orangutan scientist and digital illustrator Emma Lokuciejewski, whom Jane met through a mutual acquaintance connected to the Borneo Nature Foundation.

An excerpt from the book reads:
“She’s the soul of the forest – she speaks for the trees
She speaks through the leaves – and she speaks through the breeze.”

Designed for the Classroom

Created with education in mind, The Rimba comes with a free Education Pack that includes a complete lesson plan, printable classroom activities, discussion prompts and cross curricular links to literacy, science and social studies.

These resources are designed to help teachers integrate the book into existing lessons while encouraging critical thinking and environmental awareness.

Where to Find the Book

The Rimba is available now through major online bookshops, including Amazon, as well as retailers such as Waterstones and Foyles.

More information can be found on the official website at www.the-rimba-book.com.
The book can also be followed on Instagram at @TheRimbaBook and on Facebook at TheRimba.

Book Details