Bøger af Ellen Schwartz

Bird-like is a heartwarming and vividly illustrated tale that follows Dodo, a unique and spirited bird, who embarks on a journey to discover what it means to fit in and be true to oneself. Set against the backdrop of a colorful and bustling animal community, Dodo faces the challenge of conforming to the expectations of her peers who question her bird-like qualities because of her unconventional ways.Despite her efforts to sing beautifully, look colorful, and attempt flight, Dodo finds herself struggling to meet the standards set by her community. After a series of trials, including a perilous attempt at flying, Dodo learns an invaluable lesson about the beauty and strength in being different. With the support of a few understanding friends and her relentless spirit, Dodo embraces her uniqueness, finding joy and pride in her oddities.This enchanting story is not only about the journey of self-acceptance but also touches on themes of diversity, resilience, and the importance of staying true to one's self despite external pressures. Bird-like is a celebration of individuality, encouraging readers of all ages to embrace their true selves and to appreciate the uniqueness in others. It's a reminder that being different is not just okay-it's beautiful.Perfect for children and adults alike, this book will inspire, uplift, and remind us all that the world is a richer place because of its varied and colorful inhabitants. Join Dodo as she dances to the beat of her heart, right next to the tingle ting ting of her beautifully crafted windchime, and discover the joy in being wonderfully odd.

A writer and educator reflects on the idealistic, tumultuous, and eye-opening time she spent as a back-to-the-land hippie homesteader in Kootenays in the 1970s.What compelled a nice Jewish girl from the suburbs of New York to spend a decade of her life as a hippie homesteader in the BC wilderness? Galena Bay Odyssey traces Ellen Schwartz’s journey from a born-and-raised urbanite who was terrified of the woods to a self-determined logger, cabin-builder, gardener, chicken farmer, apiarist, and woodstove cook living on a communal farm in the Kootenays. Part memoir, part exploration of what motivated the exodus of young hippies—including American expatriates, like Ellen and her husband, Bill—to go “back to the land” in remote parts of North America during the 1960s and ’70s, this fascinating book explores the era’s naivety, idealism, and sense of adventure. Like most “back to the land” books, Galena Bay Odyssey describes the physical work involved in clearing land, constructing buildings, and living off of what they produced, but it also traces the complicated journey of discovery this experience brought to Ellen and Bill. Now, nearly half a century later, Ellen reflects on what her homesteader experience taught her about living more fully, honestly, and ecologically.