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| Sofia's Dream Written by Land Wilson and Illustrated by Sue Cornelison |
"Sofia's Dream" is a novel about a little girl who talks to the moon about the condition of the Earth's environment. She becomes friends with the Moon in her dreams, and she learns a lot that she is encouraged to share with her peers and people around her. The Moon emphasizes to Sofia that the Earth is unhappy with our treatment of her, and explains how serious it is that we treat our planet with care. "Sofia's Dream" is an important introduction to climate justice and environmental consciousness for young children. It emphasizes respect among peers, and respect to the planet we all share together that provides so much for us.
Anti-Bias Elements:
Variety of Representation in Illustrations:
Throughout this book, repeated illustrations of different children doing different Earth-friendly activities with others are shown. There are children of different ages, races, genders, religions, and abilities that are shown engaging in activities such as gardening, taking care of animals, and being kind to each other. There are also illustrations of children spending time with their guardians. This is an important aspect of Anti-Bias that allows children to feel seen as they are learning about a new and important topic. When children are able to really relate to what they are seeing and taking in, they are able to feel excited, open-minded, and eager to learn.
Encouraging Individual Education and Action:
The Moon serves as a mentor and guide for Sofia. She is able to trust his words and knowledge, which allows her to feel empowered to make an individual difference. Not only is she realizing how taking care of the Earth and the people on it is accessible to everyone, she is also learning the importance of sharing your knowledge with others and building a community of people who are making collective change. It is to easy to feel that complex problems are above us, and that we can't do anything about them. However, it is important to remember that people and actions over time make up the system, and this novel serves as a good teacher of that to children.
Highlights a Foundation of a Systemic Issue by Using a Fresh and Kid-Friendly Perspective
Environmental racism and selective climate exploitation is a real, prevalent, and systemic issue. However, many people and children do not realize this because of how our society speaks about these issues. "Sofia's Dream" presents an introduction to this issue in a way that speaks to children and removes barriers to access. By presenting information this way, children are able to internalize it and process it without shame, pressure, and confusion. This allows them to truly learn and see themselves in what they learn, encouraging an inherent care and desire to take action and live in a way that honors their new knowledge. This is how long-lasting lifestyle changes are facilitated, at any age.
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