“Having just enjoyed reading Sofia's Dream on iBooks with my two young children, I asked my oldest son to help me write this review. ‘What do you think we could say?’ I asked him. ‘Thank you’ was his reply, ‘Thanks for sharing this story so the Earth doesn't get hurt, Dad.’” ~ My review in the iBookstore
Sofia’s Dream
By Land Wilson
Illustrated by Sue Cornelison
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Little Pickle Press; 1st Edition (November 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982993811
Illustrated by Sue Cornelison
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Little Pickle Press; 1st Edition (November 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982993811
ISBN-13: 978-0982993811
"Earth Day was one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy. Fully 10% of the population of the country demonstrated their support for redeeming the American environment… American politics and public policy would never be the same again." ~ Denis Hayes, National Coordinator of the first Earth Day
Ushered in fresh on the success of the Apollo program, The 1970s saw the birth of the Earth Day movement, the early Los Altos garage beginnings of our connected personal computer age, and the first publishing of Theodor Seuss Geisel's The Lorax. Dr. Seuss’ cautionary tale of corporate greed and environmental destruction gave parents and their children an inspired conversational introduction to the practice of sustainability and eco-consciousness. Buckminster Fuller's pronouncement of our Spaceship Earth — "we are all astronauts” — kindled in many minds.
If we zoom forward to the present, the children of the '70s are now the parents, Earth Day has matured into a global network, and on April 22, 2012 "astronauts" around the planet will celebrate the 42nd Annual Earth Day. The world is connected like never before in its history.
I'm a huge fan of Little Pickle Press. It was while on vacation with my family that I first stumbled upon Rana DiOrio's poignant What Does It Mean To Be Present? in a small bookstore — and I was hooked! I met with Rana shortly thereafter, and began to discover the magic of LPP's books with my children.
In Sofia's Dream, written by Land Wilson and illustrated by Sue Cornelison, we follow a young girl's awakening and discovery through her friendship and mentorship with the Moon. One night, she's invited to visit her friend in space, where she gains an astronaut's perspective on our fragile mother planet as seen from the Moon.
Sofia's Dream imagines a greater connection among the people of Earth, our planet, and our jobs and responsibilities in perfecting what we do on Earth each day. Sofia returns to Earth inspired to be the change — to do whatever she can to protect our planet and to encourage others to do the same. It's a beautiful story, told through rhyming couplets and enchanting digital paintings.
The book situates itself nicely within the inspiring constellation of ideas for young minds that make up the growing Little Pickle Press universe.
As social media community engagement coordinator for the Parent's Club of Palo Alto and Menlo Park (PAMP) I've had the great privilege of producing What Does It Mean To Be Global on Earth Day? —an author reading event with Rana and Land at Linden Tree Books in Downtown Los Altos, just a short distance from the Jobs family garage that imagined greater in the heart of Silicon Valley. The event takes place this Earth Day, April 22nd, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mr. Land (as he's known to children) is able to see the big picture. He pays homage to his sources of inspiration: his conversations with Apollo astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Frank Borman and Eugene Cernan whom Wilson interviewed as part of the incubation process for the book. Through Sofia, he shares what he's learned from them.
My hope is to inspire your own connection with this engaging book for young minds —a reflection from afar on our blue marble in space. To nurture a greater care of this great big boulder we live on together. As Sofia teaches us, “the things we do on Earth each day can make a difference in every way".
"Earth Day was one of the most remarkable happenings in the history of democracy. Fully 10% of the population of the country demonstrated their support for redeeming the American environment… American politics and public policy would never be the same again." ~ Denis Hayes, National Coordinator of the first Earth Day
Ushered in fresh on the success of the Apollo program, The 1970s saw the birth of the Earth Day movement, the early Los Altos garage beginnings of our connected personal computer age, and the first publishing of Theodor Seuss Geisel's The Lorax. Dr. Seuss’ cautionary tale of corporate greed and environmental destruction gave parents and their children an inspired conversational introduction to the practice of sustainability and eco-consciousness. Buckminster Fuller's pronouncement of our Spaceship Earth — "we are all astronauts” — kindled in many minds.
If we zoom forward to the present, the children of the '70s are now the parents, Earth Day has matured into a global network, and on April 22, 2012 "astronauts" around the planet will celebrate the 42nd Annual Earth Day. The world is connected like never before in its history.
I'm a huge fan of Little Pickle Press. It was while on vacation with my family that I first stumbled upon Rana DiOrio's poignant What Does It Mean To Be Present? in a small bookstore — and I was hooked! I met with Rana shortly thereafter, and began to discover the magic of LPP's books with my children.
In Sofia's Dream, written by Land Wilson and illustrated by Sue Cornelison, we follow a young girl's awakening and discovery through her friendship and mentorship with the Moon. One night, she's invited to visit her friend in space, where she gains an astronaut's perspective on our fragile mother planet as seen from the Moon.
Sofia's Dream imagines a greater connection among the people of Earth, our planet, and our jobs and responsibilities in perfecting what we do on Earth each day. Sofia returns to Earth inspired to be the change — to do whatever she can to protect our planet and to encourage others to do the same. It's a beautiful story, told through rhyming couplets and enchanting digital paintings.
The book situates itself nicely within the inspiring constellation of ideas for young minds that make up the growing Little Pickle Press universe.
Mr. Land (as he's known to children) is able to see the big picture. He pays homage to his sources of inspiration: his conversations with Apollo astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Frank Borman and Eugene Cernan whom Wilson interviewed as part of the incubation process for the book. Through Sofia, he shares what he's learned from them.
My hope is to inspire your own connection with this engaging book for young minds —a reflection from afar on our blue marble in space. To nurture a greater care of this great big boulder we live on together. As Sofia teaches us, “the things we do on Earth each day can make a difference in every way".
The beauty of this book cannot be overstated...the story and the illustrations blend together into a magical whole. I'm planning to read it for story hour at the library on Earth Day. I am intrigued by Land's inspiration being conversations with the astronauts- I'll be thinking of that the next time I read the book to my children!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this review Tom, and the background on Earth Day! We can not wait for the PAMP event at Linden Tree!
ReplyDeleteSofia's Dream is such a beautifully crafted work that is both relevant and relatable to all ages. The message is simple and direct, and it is a wonderful way to introduce the concepts from the book to children.
ReplyDeleteTom, thank you for your insightful post reviewing Sofia's Dream, drawing important connections, and reflecting systems thinking. We are very excited to meet more of the PAMP community, and we are grateful to Linden Tree Books for hosting this wonderful Earth Day event for families. ~ Rana
ReplyDeleteTom, thank you for your unwavering support of little Sofia. I too am looking forward to meeting more of the PAMP community, and I can't wait to spend my Earth Day at Linden Tree Books! A big thanks to all of you who have posted here and for your ongoing support. Gratefully, ~Land
ReplyDeleteYeah for Mr. Land and the Little Pickle Press team. Sofia's Dream really is the perfect picture book to teach children the responsibility and resolve to protect our precious planet. I especially love Sue Cornelison's dear illustrations!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteGreat review of of Sophia's Dream, Tom, thank you!
You son's comment says it all" ‘Thanks for sharing this story so the Earth doesn't get hurt, Dad.’” ~ And thanks to Land Wilson for writing such a heart felt book that informs children about our precious Mother Earth and moves anyone who reads it. Last but never least, a "big thanks" to Little Pickle Press for recognizing the importance of teaching children to protect Mother Earth! Great post, thank you!
In case anyone wonders, I moved the anonymous post from the blog post below as it landed in the wrong spot!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dani! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWith Earth Day coming, I think this great review of yours couldn't have come at a better time, Tom. Coming from an extremely eco-conscious boarding school in rural Vermont, I have participated in many events commemorating Earth Day and will continue to do so until my knees buckle from underneath me--which I hope will only be many decades from now.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, a pleasure reading your review Tom.
ReplyDeleteThere is no issue more important then taking care of this earth during our short stay here. It's the ground our children stand on, the air they breadth and the water they drink.
It's books like this and individual action, that will ensure a healthy future for our home.