Music star and author Sheri Miller’s rendering of her mother Linda’s principles, convictions, and truths about environmentalism is something of a love letter. When you open the pages to the Millers’ book Honoring Our Planet! THINK!, you’re getting let in on something both selfless in its conviction, yet deeply personal in terms of its communicative qualities. As expertly summarized in the press briefing, Honoring Our Planet! THINK! is a tribute to Linda Miller and her lifetime of experience and work in the field of helping others.
It’s the work of someone who is a true educator, determined to pass along core concepts the next generation can seize power with and affect positive change to. “THINK! is both a children’s book and a multifaceted love story. It serves as a love letter from Linda to the Earth, celebrating the beauty and diversity of our planet, illustrating her belief in children’s empowerment, with superhero kids wearing glowing crowns and environmental crests on their chests,” the briefing states. “It also stands as Sheri’s profound tribute and loving gift to her mother. This book is rich with themes of loving solutions, kindness, respect, and our commitment to environmental stewardship, aiming to inspire young readers and their families to reflect on and appreciate their relationship with the natural world. Ultimately, our reader’s conscious awareness, inspired actions, and solutions can drive meaningful change in the realm of environmental care.”
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Sheri Miller’s honoring of her mother in such a way adds a poignancy and resonance to something already objectively impactful. The panels and illustrations are genuinely beautiful – evocative and somewhat impressionistic. They’re added to in terms of impact with a lightbulb blurb being present on each opposing page, communicating in bell-clear, deliberately plainspoken and straightforward prose each ideological crux one should take away when finishing the book.
All this feels like a display of considerable craft, and something that honors the age-old proverb of showing, not telling your audience. “In line with the spirit of Earth Month and Earth Day around the corner, Sheri feels optimistic that the release of THINK! is an opportunity to encourage community engagement and inspired, solution-oriented education on environmental issues,” the briefing states, regarding the aforementioned. “She envisions this book as a resource for children’s libraries, schools, and families keen on fostering a sense of responsibility and wonder for the natural world. Moreover, Sheri believes this book can be a catalyst for meaningful conversations about environmental preservation and encourage readers to think about their impact on the planet and how they can lovingly contribute to its well-being.”
I wholeheartedly agree.
Part of the unabashed sentimentality’s charm is how this amazing book really is a love letter to the subject it tirelessly advocates for. I also appreciate how it lets you in a bit on something deeply personal between two people, two women, who tackle an issue that’s both not about them and entirely about their perspectives and convictions. Looking out for the environment is both a universal issue and a deeply personal choice. The way the Millers showcase this dynamically is part and parcel to what I am sure will be its inevitable success.
Garth Thomas