Nye, Sand and Stones
The inspiration for Nye came from all of the Women’s Marches around the world. Nye is all about injustice and challenging the status quo. My dream is that readers will be inspired to think deeply about why and how we can bring about change in the world, and listen to that voice inside of them saying, “ENOUGH!”
Themes: heroine, resilience, justice, activism, challenging the status quo
Available at all major retailers: Amazon, Chapters, etc., on the Orca Books website, and at your local bookshop like Collage Collage!
Why is Nye so Angry?
Young Nye doesn’t understand why the people on her Island of Sand work so hard to build beautiful sandcastles every day if they are destined to be ruined by the stones catapulted over by the people of the Island of Stones every evening. When she asks “Why?” all she ever hears in response is “Because.”
Nye is angry, and rightfully so! What’s happening is not right, and it doesn’t matter that “it’s just the way it is,” that is not good enough for her. She decides it’s time to act.
Read along with me!
I invite you to read along with in your own home or classroom!
Remember, I LOVE hearing from you after you read my books, and seeing what kinds of art the story inspires, so please share!
“A must for all budding nonconformists who wish to activate change.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Download the PDF Discussion Guide co-created with Corrie Locke-Hardy of The Tiny Activist!
The guide contains thought-provoking questions to stimulate critical discussions with readers aged 3-12, as well as fun project ideas for the classroom, and home!
We also have a Google Slide companion featuring the questions in the Discussion Guide for you to share with your classrooms!
Why was the story important for me to tell?
Nye was important because I wanted to show a young girl fighting against a custom to which her people had become inured. I wanted to represent anger and action in a young heroine, and I thought that Nye has the ability to inspire so much meaningful discussion in the classroom and beyond.
Meet the illustrator, Marion Arbona!
Marion Arbona started working as an illustrator for children’s books. When she is not drawing, she is particularly interested in deep sea fishes, cats (even though she is allergic) and weird plants. She also likes reading and watching movies. Her favourite gouache color is light cadmium red. Marion was awarded several illustration prizes in the USA and in Canada where she lived for 10 years.
Visit Marion’s website to learn more about her amazing, fantastical illustrations. They are a sight to behold!