18 July 2025 – Environmentalist and former reality TV star Stanley Johnson has praised a new children’s book as “exhilarating” and “genuinely exciting”, applauding its ability to make science and environmental issues both accessible and fun.
Johnson, father of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, penned the foreword to Ellie Ment and the Material Matter — a gripping science-themed adventure story written by Bertie Stephens and published by the Clean Planet Foundation.
The book follows Ellie Ment, an 11-year-old girl who stumbles upon a secret science society and uncovers a hidden environmental scandal. Using her wits and scientific knowledge, Ellie challenges the status quo — making science the hero of the story.
“Nothing short of exhilarating,” Stanley wrote. “This book pulls off something quite remarkable. It makes science genuinely exciting, the problems facing our world accessible, and environmental responsibility fun. Not through lectures, but through story.”
The plot weaves together real-world issues like microplastic pollution, citizen science, and youth-led action, all while maintaining a fast-paced, fictional narrative aimed at sparking curiosity and conversation in young readers.
In his foreword, Stanley reflects on his long career in environmental advocacy:
“In my years working on environmental protection – whether drafting the original EU Habitats Directive or helping establish the European Commission’s first Environmental Action Programme – I’ve learned that solutions rarely come from the top down. They often begin with curiosity… Sometimes, with a young person who simply refuses to accept ‘that’s just the way it is.’”
Author Bertie Stephens, who also co-founded the Clean Planet Foundation, hopes the book inspires a new generation of eco-conscious thinkers:
“Children’s fantasy always looks to magic; magic isn’t science, but we know that science is magic. The real magic in this story is the kind young people should be talking and learning about.”
With Johnson’s endorsement adding gravitas to the project, Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is being positioned not just as a book, but as a movement for change.
The title is now available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions at major retailers including Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles, and Browns Books. Educational resources for schools and libraries can be accessed at EllieMent.com.
