Sophia Discovers the Real Treasure: A Story of John Muir, Father of the National Parks provides children with a picture book story that goes beyond the usual biographical focus of the naturalist and his formation of the national parks system in America.
It includes the added bonus of reflections on Native American connections to the land, their experiences with white people, and how both they and Muir shared a love for the land.
Most of all, it's the unique, contemporary young narrator's voice, as lessons are imparted about all these elements, that will draw even reluctant young learners into the story: "Seriously? Grandma drags me to an old ranch to hear an old guy talk about another old guy who talked about nature? Why would I want to talk about that?! BOR-ing! So, while she's taking a tour, I'm on a bench near this big, red pine tree. 'It's NOT a pine tree,' Grandma says, 'it's a sequoia.'* Okay, so, I'm on a bench near this big, red sequoia. Some guy, John Muir,** planted it about a hundred years ago. Grandma says it's dying. I should sit here and appreciate it. Big deal."
Footnotes lead to boxes of definitions which pepper the account as an elderly man (who looks like a prospector) engages a young girl to review Muir's life and, more importantly, his concepts about wilderness and preservation.
The inviting dialogue uses a storyteller's compelling observations to draw readers into Muir's story: "Red smiles. 'John never been bored. He appreciated the nature all around him.' He coughs. 'You'll have to excuse me, I ain't been feeling too good.' He pats the donkey. 'Let's saunter, as John liked to call it. Maybe you'll find some treasure yourself.'"
The artwork is just as vivid and diverse as the story that emerges - a blend of appealing, cartoon-like figures; artistic backgrounds; and lovely digitally-altered photos of the California natural areas which Muir loved and determined to preserve.
The result is far more multifaceted than any singular review of Muir's life. It reads with the drama and excitement of fiction, but packs in much information about Native American and natural history as it reviews the political and social forces that influenced Muir's ability to save these lands for future generations.
If only one book about John Muir were to be selected for a discriminating modern picture book collection, it should be Sophia Discovers the Real Treasure.
Designed to appeal to audiences normally reluctant to read nonfiction presentations, it will appeal to a wide range of readers with a vivid, action-packed story firmly rooted in historical facts and information, delighting the young and adults alike.
