Grow in Wonder
Field notes

Meet Ava and friends

Good company makes a good adventure. These are the first four characters you will meet. Ava is your guide. Your child reading the book is the hero.

Portrait of Ava, a nine year old girl with a black bob and yellow overalls
Plate No. 1Ava, aged 9 and a bit

Ava

Our curious guide

Ava is nine, and a bit, and good at noticing things most people miss. That noticing keeps taking her on one adventure after another and everytime she comes home she has learnt something new.

  • Looks like A black bob with a blunt fringe, dark eyes, and a scatter of freckles.
  • Usually wearing Yellow overalls, a red shirt, and red sneakers.
  • Good at Asking the question nobody else thought to ask.
  • Learning That being made on purpose changes how you see yourself.
Portrait of Sam, a seven year old boy with blonde curly hair and a blue t-shirt
Plate No. 2Sam, aged 7

Sam

Ava's little brother

Sam is seven and mostly interested in bugs, snacks, and wherever Ava happens to be standing. He does not understand half of what Grandpa Theo says, but he listens anyway.

  • Looks like Blonde curly hair, wide blue eyes.
  • Usually wearing A blue t-shirt, khaki shorts, and red sneakers like his sister.
  • Good at Following Ava everywhere, whether she likes it or not.
  • Learning That tagging along is its own kind of adventure.
Portrait of Sox, a white cat with one black front paw
Plate No. 3Sox, the house cat

Sox

The quiet observer

Sox is Ava's small white cat with one black front paw. She doesn’t say anything and she watches everything and she has a way of curling up right where a good idea is about to happen.

  • Marking White all over, save for that single black front paw.
  • Found On windowsills, warm laundry, and the last stair in the sun.
  • Talent Turning up right when Ava needs her company.
Portrait of Grandpa Theo, an older man in a moss green cardigan
Plate No. 4Grandpa Theo

Grandpa Theo

The retired teacher

Not a grandpa by blood, but the kind of family friend every child should be lucky enough to have. Theo spent a lifetime teaching and never lost the wonder of it. He answers big questions with small experiments and lenghty stories. He is never in a hurry to get to the point.

  • Looks like An older man, balding on top with grey at the sides.
  • Usually wearing A moss green cardigan, with the knuckly hands of a lifelong gardener.
  • Known for A laugh so loud, you can hear it three houses down.
  • His way "Press two fingers to your wrist. Go on, I will wait."

Ava's world is small for now.

More friends will join her as the series grows.