If There Would Be No Light: Poems From My Heart

By Sahara Sunday Spain

Book Overview

"I don't know where it comes from," says Sahara of her poetry, "but it feels like I swallow the words down from the sky and they come up again as poems, already complete and entire."

This nine-year-old girl has been creating poems since the age of four. Before she even learned how to write, the young poet had figured out how to dictate her poems into the telephone answering machine so that they would not be lost.

Sahara has traveled the world with her mother, a professional photographer, and her poems and illustrations reflect her experiences in Thailand, where she met with Buddhist monks and nuns and studied meditation and music; in India, where she met Mother Teresa; in Bali, where she observed healing ceremonies; and in Australia, where she was introduced to "The Dreaming" by aboriginal elders. Her poems have brought her international attention, drawing praise from influential writers and artists. Yet for all her accomplishments, this charming girl with a transcendent talent is as curious about the world and as filled with the joy of living and loving as any child can be. If There Would Be No Light represents an exciting new voice in American poetry and is destined to be an inspiration to children, parents, teachers, and poets.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062517406
• ISBN13: 9780062517401
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 113 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.1" x 0.6" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

A talented poet and loving human being

Experiencing Sahara's book is a gift you give to yourself. It's also a gentle yet strong reminder that we each have the power to create our own unique world, and that our view of the world depends on how we view ourselves. Sahara has clearly learned that love awakens one's senses and spirit. Her keen ability to express those feelings through simple words and intricate illustrations will warm the hearts and stimulate creative minds of both young and old. Her mature wisdom and beautiful view of the world has obviously been stronly influenced by the loving support, nurturing, and artistic photographic skills of her mother. We congratulate mother and daughter, both of whom are great role models. We look forward to purchasing Sahara's next book and have reserved a spot for her in The Kids Hall of Fame.

Pure Magic

This is a book that you will want to give as a gift to someone you really like, or love. Sahara Sunday Spain, (If you can believe that name), is a divine child who has expressed herself eloquently in writing and illustrations with her simple straight foreword point of view. Her poems are a balm to the soul, her black and white drawings are exquisite. Every time I open this book I am delighted! I am always giving it away, and don't want to be without it in my library.

From The Mouths Of Babes

I have the pleasure of reading many books, preferably children's books, since I run a book store and I am a Sunday School teacher. This book may not be for my 4 year old Sunday Schoolers, but it is definitely a wonderful book. I find this child's words and expression very refreshing. I do not get the impression this child is regurgitating the views of the adults around her, rather developing her own philosophies and views based on her 9 years on this earth.Miss Spain is very unique and very refreshing. This talented young lady has a great and bright future ahead of her.

Inspiring for Adults and Children

This is a great book to read slowly in bed before you get up on a weekend morning, a quiet time when you can look carefully at the wonderful drawings that illustrate the poems. It is the world through a child's eyes, simple and direct and loving. Both adults and children would enjoy If There Would Be No Light, and it would be a great book to read aloud together. I found the poems reminded me of Rumi. Reading this book renewed my spirit. "You give me wings, like a butterfly, dancing with you, upon two hearts, together, " Sahara Sunday Spain writes in her poem "Wings of a Butterfly." Her gift to the reader is like that, it makes you want to go out and hug someone you love, or to draw something, write something for the love of it.

"If there would be no light"

Poetry at it's best. This young author should be an inspiration to all young students to write. I work in a school and plan to get an additional copy for our library in hopes of inspiring others. This author shows maturity beyond her years. She was interviewed on MSNBC weekend today and showed an enormous amount of poise and courage. When ask if it was hard for her to share her private thoughts, she responded very graciously that it was her gift to share. A gift indeed! You will also love the way the pictures illustrate her words. I look forward to more books by this young author. Her poetry will give joy to all ages. I hope others will be encouraged to purchase one for their favorite library.