Sofia and the Heartmender

By Marie Olofsdotter

Book Overview

When Sofia sees shadow-monsters on her wall at night, her parents dismiss her fears as silly. When she tries to draw her monsters at school, her teacher tells her to stop wasting paper and draw flowers instead. Sad and lonely, her heart broken in two, Sofia leaves school and enters a mysterious world where a Heartmender waits to make her heart whole again. Sofia's journey leads her to face her fears until they fade away. Strengthened by her visit to the compassionate Heartmender, she returns to the real world, confident that the shadow-monsters are no longer a threat, ready to speak up for herself to her parents and teachers, and hopeful that the adults in her life will respect her feelings--because she respects herself. In the literary tradition of A Wrinkle in Time and The Chronicles of Narnia, Sofia and the Heartmender blends fantasy and fiction to show that anything is possible, even healing a broken heart. Beautifully written and exquisitely illustrated, this story of a young girl's search for self-esteem will inspire and delight readers of all ages. Marie Olofsdotter is an artist, poet, author, and illustrator of many books for children. Sofia and the Heartmender was honored with a Mid-America Publishers Award, a Benjamin Franklin Silver Award, and a Skipping Stones Honor Award, and was selected as a Parents Council Book. Olofsdotter has been working as a creative consultant and an artist-in-residence for over fifteen years. A native of Sweden, she lives near the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0977945839
• ISBN13: 9780977945832
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Holy Cow Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.7" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 2 to 5 years

Customer Reviews

A story of learning how to raise one's self-esteem

Sweedish-American artist and author Marie Olofsdotter presents Sofia and the Heartmender, a children's picturebook about Sofia, a young girl learning to deal with life's challenges. Intimidated by shadow-monsters on her wall at night, Sofia tries to tell her parents and her teacher about what she sees, only to have her apprehensions summarily dismissed as foolish. Sad and lonely, her heart broken, she encounters the mysterious Heartmender who teaches her how to mend her heart and confront her fears. Sofia learns not only how to deal with shadow monsters, but also how to remain confident, respectful and assertive when negotiating with the adults in her life. A story of learning how to raise one's self-esteem, Sofia and the Heartmender features a positive message and moderately involved text, ideal for young people who are just about ready to move on to chapter books. Highly recommended.

Great story for kids and grown-ups.

I was fortunate enough to get to see Marie Olofsdotter read the book and give a puppet show. Wow, what an experience. My 4 year old was able to relate to the idea of being scared of the dark. She was even able to come up with a way to mend her own heart. My 17 month old was also captivated by the story telling and the puppet show. I know this will be a favorite for years to come.

Hearts in the forest

Sofia and the Heartmender, by Marie Olofsdotter. Little Sofia is beset by monsters, but her teacher and parents don't care. Her heart breaks; so does her cat's. But she goes on a quest.... Gorgeous full-page color illustrations. I'm not a kid, and this book makes my heart pound.

Mending Hearts, Mending Souls

THis book may be geared for 4-8 year-olds. However, I loved it just the same! It was like music to my soul...a journey where past and present meet, and unite to make for a peacful future.