Millie the Magical Stone Skipper
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Product Details
Publisher: Bird Upstairs
Release Date: June 14, 2022
Formats: Hardcover, Ebook
ISBN: HC: 978-1-954854-39-0; EB: 978-1-954854-46-8
Page Count: 32
Olivia Polk, illustrated by Vanya Liang
With the help of a wise frog, Millie learns a special skill that empowers her to help others while staying true to herself.
When young Millie sees her three older brothers head into the world to pursue their goals, she retreats to the creek to reflect on her own ambitions. There, she develops a magical hidden talent.
With the help of a friendly frog, Millie learns the art of perseverance by perfecting her stone-skipping skill. When a mischievous bandit puts her siblings in peril, can Millie harness her new power to save them?
Set against the stunning backdrop of Teton Valley, Millie the Magical Stone Skipper is a Wild Western tale that empowers young readers to try new things and live purposeful and authentic lives.
About the Author and Illustrator
Olivia Polk is a Saint Louis native who loves floating rivers and climbing mountains with her family. Pulling inspiration from her personal experiences in the Tetons, Polk wove childhood memories and her Williams College studies in folk and fairytale storytelling into the fabric of this book. A Wild West reimagining of the classic Grimm tale “The Four Skillful Brothers,” Millie shows us that dreaming big and being our true selves can save the day. Polk is excited to share her first published tale, Millie the Magical Stone Skipper.
Vanya Liang is a Chinese freelance illustrator who studied at The Savannah College of Art and Design. In her work, she loves experimenting with patterns and colors. She pays close attention in her daily life, noticing everything she sees and feels, and uses it as inspiration in her artwork. Vanya has worked with various prominent names on both publishing and commercial projects. Her work has also been recognized with numerous awards, including the 3x3 International Illustration Show and the Society of Illustrators Annual Awards.
Visit the illustrator’s website at vanyaliang.art
Reviews
“The artwork is colorful and vibrant, so I loved seeing what type of scene each new page would bring. The story itself really resonated with me, as someone who tried out several different paths in life before really figuring out what fulfills me and what I’m meant to do. The theme of ‘being independent and still caring for others’ is a spot-on summation of some of my struggles as an ambitious female. We’re always trying to strike that balance between individualism and community, and I think this book shows young girls that you can have both! I’m thirty-five years old and I needed the inspirational reminder.” —Julie Ellison, writer, Sony Alpha Female+ grant-winning photographer, and Climbing Magazine’s first female editor-in-chief