Synopsis

Raging fires, rampant earthquakes and violent windstorms occur as Mother Earth becomes more and more sick. In a final attempt to find relief, she looks to the people to help her with a final plea from the Earth to get the rest that she needs.

After countless years of enduring the burden of supporting all living organisms, the Earth becomes very sick. Her fever causes wildfires, her chills create countless earthquakes, and her sneezing and cough become hurricanes and tornadoes that ravage the world as we know it. In a final plea to get the rest that she needs, the Earth turns to the people and asks them to go inside and close their doors and give her the gift of time. After much hesitation, they finally agree, and a heavy silence falls as the Earth drifts off to slumber. As time passes the people begin to fear that the Earth will never wake up, and so they decide to go outside and dance. They hope that the drumming will ease her from her slumber, but it does not. They are forced to dance harder and harder until finally, they forget why they are dancing in the first place, lost as they are in their own joy. From experiencing their joy, the Earth begins to heal. As she heals, the people also heal. Together they wake up and create a new world where they learn from one another and find a mutual respect.

Jillian's hope in writing this story is to encourage the reader to view the current state of the environment through a lens of possibility. It offers a bright and hopeful vantage point that is so imperative to counter the fear that much of the world is currently experiencing. It also provides both children and adults alike an opportunity to recognize their own responsibility in actively making choices that will positively impact the Earth.

Artwork contributed by Melissa Wooten Art (https://www.facebook.com/melissa.wooten.71)

Sales arguments

• With the world on lock down, the demand for uplifting children's books is climbing.
• Never before has our world needed more hope than we do right now, particular as it pertains to the state of the environment.
• Jillian's children, nephews, and countless friends children have approved the story!
• Jillian is a Life Coach with a wide network open to support her.

Similar titles

• "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill (Algonquin Young Readers 2019) - These books are similar in the element of fairy tale magic they each possess, but different in that Barnhill's book focuses on the magic within a girl and Arena's book focuses on the magic within the Earth.
• "We Are Water Protectors" by Carole Lindstrom (Roaring Book Press 2020) - The books are similar in their message that we must protect the Earth and different in that "When the Earth Slept" gives more of a fairy tale impression, allowing the reader to access their inner creative visionary.
• "Buddha at Bedtime" by Dharmachari Nagaraja (Duncan Baird 2008) - These books are similar in how they teach values and morals to the reader through the lens of current challenges being faced. Arena's book does not, however, focus on a particular spiritual tradition to get her message across and instead, relies heavily on the sense of connection that exists between all humans.

Audience

Children between 6-12, and parents alike who have a deep love and appreciation for the Earth and are committed to seeing the world from a space of love.

Advance praise

"In times of uncertainty and fear, adults need language to explain and comfort children. When The Earth Slept is a brilliantly constructed and magical fairy tale with profound underlying truths that help children and adults alike process this planetary pandemic. Arena uses her skills as a writer, parent and healer to comfort and make meaning of a difficult and unsettling time. I believe we can expect to see more from this natural and gifted storyteller."

- Stephanie Cassatly, author of Notice of Release: A Daughter's Journey to Forgive Her Mother's Killer

"Enchanting! Arena's elegant spiritual fable, "When the Earth Slept" celebrates the universal message of our undeniable interconnectedness and the sacredness of all life on earth. At once, Arena has written a healing antidote for these chaotic times and an enduring classic for the ages. Adults searching to find an eloquent and heart-centered way to help young minds make sense and gather meaning from our current global pandemic will find this tale both highly accessible and eminently hopeful. A must for every adult and child seeking more peace and connection in today's world."

-Amy Lombardo, author of Brilliance: A Coaching Guide to Clearing Inner Obstacles and Letting Your Authenticity Shine

"When the Earth Slept" is a beautiful, poignant commentary on the current, unstable state of the world. Jillian captures the brilliance of some of the changing scenes emerging in nature throughout this worldwide crisis and illustrates their relevance to humanity as a whole with grace and eloquence. She paints pictures with her words that are conceivable to children and adults alike. Without instilling fear, even in regards to freightening aspects of what our Earth is going through, the reader is lured into a state of fantasy where they become part of her soul and experience her woes and joys as one. At the same time melancholy and reassuring, this is a read that every human should have the chance to enjoy.

-Meagan Erickson, Entrepreneur, Mother of 2 Young Boys