Sophia's Gift

Her Majesty Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom

“. . . utterly charming! I was most interested in the history behind Sophia’s Gift.”

Sophia’s Gift is based upon the true story of Sophia Strauss and her mother, Jewish Confederates who ran a general store in Culpeper, Virginia, during the American Civil War. Sophia yearns for a doll in their shop but knows they can never afford her. She satisfies herself by naming the doll Grace Darling after her favorite story about the iconic real-life Grace Horsley Darling, who helped to save nine people shipwrecked in a storm off the coast of England. Soon, Culpeper comes under attack; they take in a wounded soldier to nurse back to health. When the soldier is well enough to travel, he gives the doll to Sophia as a token of friendship. But their money troubles continue, and soon they’re faced again with the prospect of having to sell Grace Darling. Sophia’s Gift is generosity and resilience in the face of hardship.

Historical Note at the back of the book contains additional facts about Grace Darling’s German manufacturing circa 1850s, the amazing life of the Victorian British icon Grace Horsley Darling, the tribulations of Sophia’s family, and how Grace Darling came to reside at the American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia.

Sophia’s Gift won four book awards: Gold Winner in Human Relations Indie Book Awards for cultural human relations in children’s books, Short Listed in Chanticleer International’s Little Peeps Awards for picture books, Finalist in Canadian-based IAN Book of the Year Award for children’s nonfiction, and Nominated for Eric Hoffer Book Award in legacy nonfiction, children’s books.

Sophia’s Gift is for children ages 8 and up, Junior Collectors ages 8 to 17, teachers, humanities scholars, museums and historic sites, devotees of children’s literature, and adults who are enthusiastic about doll collecting, women’s studies, Jewish history, military, antiques, and more. Worldwide market includes North America, Europe, and Australasia/Oceania.

www.sophiasgiftbook.com

Author Biography

Award-winning author and doll historian Karen B. Kurtz has published books, essays, poetry, and countless articles for readers of all ages. Karen’s fifth book, Sophia’s Gift, has won four book awards, praise from Her Majesty Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom, and recommended reviews from US Review of Books, Midwest Book Review, and others. Articles in DOLLS and Paperdoll Review describe Karen’s research findings for the antique doll Grace Darling and the Victorian British icon Grace Horsley Darling. Karen grew up in Iowa, graduated college in Kansas and Indiana, and studied in El Salvador and Costa Rica. A former elementary school teacher, college administrator, editor, publisher, and consultant, she holds a master’s degree from Indiana University. She is at work on new book development, magazine commissions, and virtual programs. www.karenbkurtz.com Loran Chavez is an award-winning, self-taught artist with representation in several Gulf Coast galleries. Her art career began nine months after she and her family were involved in an automobile accident that left Loran with a permanent injury. She went back to painting, something enjoyed during childhood, to help her work through the pain of the accident. Loran’s diligence paid off. She became well known after 10 years. Loran’s art is now found in collections all over the world. She competes in 12 to 15 juried art competitions every year, which allows travel opportunities. Loran enjoys mentoring other artists, and delights in teaching children a love of art and recycled art forms through summer-long experiences. She eagerly takes on new projects that expand her knowledge of the arts. Loran’s house is the largest art project she has ever created. The master bath is an underwater scene she designed and created from vitreous and glass tiles. It took more than six months to complete. She also helped to design unique home spaces that surprise and delight visitors.