Millie the Magical Stone Skipper
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Olivia Polk earned degrees in English and political science from Williams College. Polk wove images from her childhood and her love of the Wild West into the fabric of this book. Using her university studies in folk storytelling traditions, she wrote Millie the Magical Stone Skipper as a modern, version of the classic fairytale model, urging the next generation of creative thinkers to dream big, aim high, and pursue their natural talents and interests. This is Polk's first book. She lives in New York City.
Vanya Liang is a Chinese freelance illustrator. 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 authors and clients on both publishing and commercial projects. Her work has also been recognized with several awards.
"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 "A fine blend of fairy tale and modern girl-power, Millie the Magical Stone Skipper spins an inspirational story of patience, practice, and perseverance. Set in Big Sky Country, the tale springs to vibrant life in Vanya Liang's accomplished illustrations." -- Jane Bayard Curley, PhD, independent curator specializing in children's literature
"Kudos to Olivia Polk and Vanya Liang, a young author and illustrator who have created a lovely story and first book that celebrates girl power and ingenuity. Can't wait to see what each of these young women create next." --Louise Boyd Cadwell, teacher, researcher, Cadwell Collaborative cofounder, author of Bringing Reggio Emilia Home and Bringing Learning to Life: The Reggio Approach to Early Childhood Education
"[A]n adventure that feels like a familiar folk story placed against a gorgeous Western mountain setting. Millie's stone-skipping skill and her desire to be 'independent while still caring for others' have a fresh feel that also comments on gender roles. With aphorisms about future hopes for each of the four children, this tale encourages following dreams, grand or modest." -- Kirkus Reviews
