| Title: Soar, Emma, Soar! |
| Author: Nicole Sánchez Castillo |
| Genre: Children’s Fiction · Magical Realism · Emotional Growth |
| Theme: Finding hope and healing through dreams, nature, and kindness. |
| Audience: Children 7–12 and caring adults seeking heartwarming, peace-focused stories. |
| ASIN: B0DZW9QTKZ |
| Theme: Finding hope and healing through dreams, nature, and kindness. |
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Why I Picked Up This Book
The cover immediately caught my attention. It’s whimsical animals and a curly-haired child gazing upwards—it almost seems a haunting scenario, though it is a children’s book. Why this type of cover for children? Maybe it implied both creativity and a hidden significance that the story might explore.
Next, my eyes fell upon the title “Soar, Emma, Soar!” A sense of hope washed over me—I knew I was about to meet a child whose dreams burned bright despite the overwhelming challenges.
I thought the book would be all warm and fuzzy. What I found was a really sweet story that helps kids deal with tough stuff like fighting, losing things, and hoping for the best.
A Story that Sings and Soothes
Eight-year-old Emma lives with her mother in a war-torn town. The only legacy of her father, a casualty of war, is the love and stories he left behind. While her mother carries the quiet grief of survival, her face etched with lines of worry and loss, Emma holds onto curiosity, kindness, and the quiet wish for a different world, a world filled with laughter and light.
One night, after getting friendly with a spider called Berta, Emma dreamed she met Lola, a wise cat who could talk. The journey starts in the forest, where you’ll encounter trees, birds, rocks, and even a shy alligator. Every character teaches Emma a different life lesson. She learns kindness from one guy, loneliness from another, and so on, until she gets it all—patience, unity, and joy.
It’s a beautiful mix of magical realism and moral tales—dreams mirror the truth and show how things change. The metaphor of healing blossoms vibrantly and promisingly, much like a blooming flower.
What Stayed with Me
I paused, not because of anything dramatic, but because of the quiet truth in several lines. Like Lola saying:
“Dreams are just as real and powerful as life itself, but people forget that when they grow up.”
Another one that hit me was Emma’s simple wish:
“I want Colombia to be a country where children can play without fear.”
Its quiet strength creates a gentle yet profound and lasting impression without being forceful. The simple metaphors—transforming into a bird, making a nest in a Ceiba tree (representing her mother), and sheltering from the storm—echo with both children and adults on different levels.
A Little Room for Light
While the artwork is expressive and thematically appropriate, a slightly lighter, more humorous touch might make the book more appealing to younger readers. Although the Colombian setting feels authentic, children outside Latin America may find it unfamiliar without an adult to explain the sights and sounds.
Despite this small imperfection, the book’s quiet brilliance and overall stunning nature shine through.
Final Thoughts
“Soar, Emma, Soar!” is more than just a children’s book; it’s a gentle invitation to dream of peace amidst life’s challenges. The importance of kindness extends to even the smallest creatures. We sometimes find our greatest transformations occur in dreams. That hope, however slight, possesses the power of flight.
🕊️ A nice attractive book for families who want to raise thoughtful, compassionate kids—especially in difficult times. This book will linger in a child’s mind long after the last page is turned and hopefully influence their life.
Favorite Quote:
“Because even though they had eyes, they saw nothing. They couldn’t see the wonders of the forest.”
