Baha’is see the young as the most precious treasure a community can possess. In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. Yet, in order for this promise to be realised, children need to receive spiritual nourishment, such as can be found in the children’s classes happening all around the world.
The Garden Children – A Book About Patience, Friendship & Being Kind to the Earth
Xavier and his four friends want to plant a garden near the park but wonder, how do you grow a garden? Together they seek out the answers and learn a lot along the way about patience, friendship, and being kind to the Earth.
This fictional story about Xavier and his friends is told in a new children’s book called The Garden Children: Season’s Change, and it is written by Ariana Rosenberg. Ariana reached out to us to tell us about her book, what inspired her to write it, who its intended audience is, and some words of encouragement for other emerging writers. Here’s what she shared with us:
Baha’i Blog: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello, My name is Ariana Rosenberg. I’m a writer and I study as well. I studied accounting at TAFE but I’m also interested in library services. I finished my BA in English and Creative Writing in July 2021. I learned about the Baha’i Faith in 2008 and went through the Junior Youth program. I enjoy having monthly devotionals and I used to help with a children’s class. I’m currently in Melville, Perth community.
Baha’i Blog: Could you please tell us a little about your book?
My book The Garden Children: Season’s Change is the first book in a series. It looks at four children who decide to create a garden. They learn many lessons from the garden and about the effort they put into it. The garden brings them and their neighbors closer together as a community. They also need a lot of patience and hope that the garden will grow.
Baha’i Blog: What inspired you to write it? What principles and teachings of the Baha’i Faith does it draw upon?
Author Ariana Rosenberg
I was inspired by my niece and nephew to write this book. I also wanted to write a book that started to introduce concepts such as environmental issues to children, after having taught children’s classes for a couple of years. I looked through the Baha’i Writings and found plenty of quotes about nature and that we are like flowers in the same garden. The principle of oneness also resonates in the book.
Baha’i Blog: Who is its target audience?
The intended audience of the book is about 6 to 9 year olds.
Baha’i Blog: What was something you learned in the process of creating this book?
Something I learned through creating this book is that I find writing much easier than getting a book published. Patience is also required whether a book is self-published or traditionally published.
Baha’i Blog: What words of encouragement might you have for other aspiring Baha’i authors?
I’d encourage other inspiring Baha’i authors to consider each topic and see how viable it would be and understanding how it relates to the Baha’i teachings as well as how it will be received by its intended audience. I’d also encourage aspiring authors to reach out to their fellow authors for support.
Baha’i Blog: Thank you, Ariana, for telling us about your book.
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
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