Grow in Wonder
Field notes

Meet Ava and friends

Good company makes a good adventure. These are the first five 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 every time she comes home she has learned 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 long 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 slow, warm chuckle whenever someone asks a really good question.
  • His way "Press two fingers to your wrist. Go on, I will wait."
Portrait of Mia, a nine year old girl with brown hair in a ponytail and a plum-colored top
Plate No. 5Mia, aged 9

Mia

Ava's steady friend

Mia is nine, calm as still water, and hard to rattle. She thinks before she speaks, and when she disagrees with something, she says so quietly. Ava has learned that Mia's disappointment lands harder than anyone's shouting.

  • Looks like Brown hair worn in a loose ponytail, olive skin, and brown eyes.
  • Usually wearing A soft plum top, denim shorts, and white sneakers.
  • Good at Asking the one question that makes the easy way out feel less easy.
  • Learning That being loyal to a friend does not mean agreeing with everything they do.

Ava's world is small for now.

More friends will join her as the series grows.