NYE, SAND AND STONES

A young tot learns the importance of speaking out.

Two small islands exist side by side. One is made of sand, the other of stones. On the Isle of Sand, children scurry around constructing magnificent sand castles. The Isle of Stones, however, has elaborate catapults, ready to launch rocks at a moment’s notice. Every day, after the warning bell rings, the rocks fly toward the Isle of Sand and destroy the castle creations. The children on the Isle of Sand know to run when they hear the bell, so no one ever gets hurt. And after each barrage, they dutifully roll the rocks back to be returned to the Isle of Stones, singing, “On the Isle of Sand, we build to the sky. / When the stones crash down, we never ask why.” But one young child, Nye, does question the frustrating state of affairs. Adults can only murmur, “It’s just the way it is.” Nye has had enough! With eyes scrunched and hair in two puffballs that seem to explode off her head—mirroring her strong will—she gives the Isle of Stones an ultimatum (along with some helpful advice). Challenging the status quo can be intimidating but, as Nye proves, well worth the effort. People on the Isle of Sand have bright russet skin, and people on the Isle of Stones have yellow skin with blocklike features. A French edition with translation by Rachel Martinez publishes simultaneously.

A must for all budding nonconformists who wish to activate change.