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Introducing “The Water Princess” Animated Film from FableVision and Weston Woods

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Susan Verde’s Gie Gie is unlike any princess you’ve met before, and her story isn’t quite a Disney or Brothers Grimm-infused fairytale. In fact, The Water Princess’ tale is all too real, and no less extraordinary.

Gie Gie’s story springs to life in FableVision’s recent collaboration with Weston Woods, an animated adaptation of Verde’s award-winning text. Inspired by the childhood of model and activist Georgie Badiel and published by Penguin Random House in 2016, The Water Princess’ young protagonist rules over a village in Africa, singing a song of “can”s: “I can almost touch the sharp edges of the stars” she speaks with pride, “I can tame the wild dogs with my song, I can make the tall grass sway when I dance… I can make the wind play hide and seek.”

Gie Gie’s strength and positivity, combined with Verde’s poetics, Peter H. Reynolds’ rich illustrations, a brand new soundtrack and voice-over dialogue, and two new visual scenes offer an exquisite, thought-provoking narrative that brings the global issue of clean water access to light. Gie Gie’s struggle is a reality for nearly one billion people globally; she reminds younger and older audiences alike that that they share the “earth and sky” with so many others, and that, though we have many miles to go before these issues are solved, there is always room to dance on the way. Moreover, The Water Princess features a resilient woman of color as its lead and role model. Like Badiel, whose efforts have transformed Western African lives and encouraged greater universal awareness, Gie Gie redefines what it means to be a princess and to truly care for the space and communities around you.     

Ultimately, Gie Gie’s magic lies both within the natural world and herself (sure, Cinderella could talk to birds, but I found Princess Gie Gie’s “powers” much cooler). And, though Gie Gie has no time for fancy ball gowns, she does have time for dancing (“the miles give us room to dance”), which she does alongside her mother as the two journey across Gie Gie’s African “kingdom” in search of water—the one thing that, try as she might, she cannot summon. Princess Gie Gie refuses to lose hope that “someday” things will be different, dreaming of clearer water and change.

Peter Reynolds’ fun whimsical drawings truly brought Gie Gie and her environment to life. With rich earthy tones and expressive actions, FableVision created an engaging animation following the story and emulating Peter Reynolds’ illustrative style. Experience Gie Gie’s journey for yourself; get the film on Weston Woods’ site here and get your own copy of the book here.

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September FableFriday: Betsy Peisach, Vice President of Education at Maryland Public Television

Betsy Peisach, Vice President of Education at Maryland Public Television, caught the media bug early. “The majority of my career has been in the media industry driven by a passionate belief in using the power of media for good,” shares Betsy. “This passion took root in 1970 with the debut of Sesame Street and my little sister. Her toddler years included a healthy dose of public television including Sesame Street, Mr Roger’s Neighborhood, and The Electric Company. We watched the shows together, I sang songs with her (those catchy tunes still ring in my head), and observed as she learned numbers and to count, sang all the letters of the alphabet, and eventually learned to read (by age four!).”

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With such a strong influence at an early age, Betsy took what she saw and turned it into a career that spans the evolution of incredible products, tools, and resources in the public television space. “I witnessed first-hand how media can truly be a powerful tool in helping children learn and that became my compass.”

Several decades later, Betsy’s still using that compass to steer big projects making a big difference. From the early days of Lure of the Labyrinth, an online game geared towards improving math and literacy among middle-school students, to our latest project putting a musical spin on the Library of Congress’ primary sources, Betsy has helped forge a lasting partnership with FableVision Studios that continues to impact learners today.

In this month’s FableFriday, read on to see the strides Betsy has made to harness the power of public media, the innovative products we’re building together, and the ultimate media toolkit curated by Betsy!

Your commitment to education is nothing short of extraordinary! Tell us a little bit about your roles as MPT’s Managing Director of Education Marketing and Outreach, and your current position as Vice President of MPT’s Education division.
I joined MPT in 2000 on the heels of the education division winning a $10 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education. At that time, technology was beginning to burgeon and our charge was to harness the new digital capabilities for learning. It was a wonderfully exciting time to be in the field, filled with opportunity to produce innovative learning media in engaging new ways to help teachers teach and students learn. We built a robust website called Thinkport that today continues to serve early childhood, K-12 teachers, students, and parents with interactive media and online professional development courses. Our goal is to support teaching and learning with effective technology integration, high-quality digital resources, and to share best practices.

Betsy and her team with FableVision President Gary Goldberger at ISTE 2017

Betsy and her team with FableVision President Gary Goldberger at ISTE 2017

As a statewide public media broadcaster, my role was to bring these rich resources into the classrooms and homes of the early childhood and K-12 education communities.  It is always insightful and rewarding to participate at local and national education events to share what’s new, what’s possible, and to get a pulse on what’s happening in the field.

Through the years at MPT,  I’ve had the privilege of working with an extraordinary team of talented professionals —educators, producers, content experts, writers. Together, we developed a large catalog of truly cutting-edge interactive media and strong supporting professional development for educators (we won a Webby, Emmy, and other industry awards).  My roles morphed and grew in many gratifying ways. Whether marketing, producing, project managing, strategic planning or raising funds; what I fundamentally enjoy the most are: the energy of the collaborative creative process, fostering relationships into meaningful partnerships, working with educators, and knowing that you can make a difference.

Before joining MPT, you worked for the United Broadcasting Company, a national broadcaster of major market radio and cable stations. How does your expertise in radio, television, and film inform your approach to digital education?  
Whether you are working in education, or entertainment, the key is to know your audience.  Do your research and develop products and services that are relevant and valued.    

 MPT has a long history of collaboration with FableVision. Together, we’ve created an array of innovative, accessible websites. What has your experience been like working with the FableVision team?
In a nutshell, and to borrow a movie line, ”You had me at hello.” When I met Gary Goldberger, FableVision’s president and co-founder, it was like we were old friends from the onset. Our like-minded enthusiasm for creating high-quality educational media brought together our respective teams and complementary expertise. There is always a lot of respect and laughs in our often lengthy working sessions. Many of the projects we’ve worked on together have challenged us in a positive way, requiring fresh thinking and innovative tech development. We’ve been working with the FableVision team for over ten years, and I hope to continue our relationship far into the future. FableVision always hits a homerun.

Alongside MIT Education Arcade, MPT and the FableVision team crafted Lure of the Labyrinth, an online game geared towards improving math and literacy among middle-school students. What was the thought process behind the game, and what do you think makes it such a lasting, effective learning tool?
Lure of the Labyrinth was a labor of love. It was developed with a grant awarded to MPT in 2007 from the U.S. Department of Education to explore “serious games” and demonstrate how games can help kids learn. An amazing team came together including Scot Osterweil, who led the application of learning and game theory as creative director of the MIT Education Arcade. FableVision created an engaging storyline and a menagerie of mythical monsters in a crazy labyrinth environment for ultimate middle school appeal. Finally, MPT layered the classroom instruction and brought together teacher teams for testing and evaluation. 

So why do I think it is such a lasting effective learning tool? Because of its strong pedagogy, appealing story, and most importantly, it’s fun! The game works very well in today’s climate, emphasizing problem solving and critical thinking. Kids work hard to play the puzzles and  move through the game while building pre-Algebra math skills.  It’s that feeling of accomplishment that makes it so rewarding.  Fun fact: Lure of the Labyrinth has an international following with players in Australia and Canada, as well as the U.S.

 Speaking of super cool collaborations, you recently teamed up with FableVision, Maryland Humanities, and CIRCLE at Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life, and won the Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Regional Grant from the Library of Congress! What is TPS and the new project all about? What impact do you hope to achieve?
Civics: An American Musical is sure to be a fantastic project! Inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s renowned musical Hamilton, our project will engage middle schoolers with primary sources from the Library of Congress as they imagine, formulate, and debut their own great American Musical. Components will include an online role-playing game blended with hands-on classroom projects and built-in professional development tools.

The goal of the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program is to enhance educators’ ability to embed digitized primary sources from the Library’s immense archive into inquiry-based instruction. We will provide teachers with professional learning to understand this process and to effectively use this new tool with their students. Our goal is to create a playful environment in which to build student literacy and critical thinking skills, while making history/civics relatable to the students.

With this great collaborative partnership, I’m certain that a valuable new learning resource will debut in 2020.

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Betsy’s Media Favorites:
MPT/PBS show: I do love my PBS and MPT programs. I am looking forward to the next season of Poldark and Victoria, as well as Call the Midwife, Antiques Roadshow (plus MPT’s local version, Chesapeake Collectables) and any and all documentaries. Hamilton’s America is a must see.
Bingable television series: I am anxiously awaiting the next season of the The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Ozark.
Oscar-worthy film: How does one choose? There’s a quirky film by Wes Anderson called Moonrise Kingdom that I’ve watched a dozen times. I always enjoy watching musicals with my children – The Sound of Music and the like.
Riveting podcast: NPR podcasts, especially The TED Radio Hour and This American Life.
Great reads: Goodnight Moon, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, are my most frequent reads (my daughter had a baby this past year!) Looking forward to adding Peter H. Reynolds’ The Dot to my list. When I’m not reading to my granddaughter, I enjoy historical fiction.
Hamilton song: The Room Where it Happened

 

 

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The FableVision New Years Toolkit: Everything You Need To Make 2017 Your Best Year Yet

The air is ringing with 2017 New Years resolutions. Every January, a new year presents the opportunity to make small (or big!) changes in our lives to be better versions of ourselves. FableVision wanted to give you a little help. We went around to ask our staff what helped make their 2016 a productive year.

Read on to find gadgets and gizmos, apps and podcasts, ideas and a dash of imagination. We hope this will inspire you to make the most of 2017 – get out there and be awesome!

Bob Flynn, Director of Art and Animation

Brian Grossman, Technical Director

  • Flickr: In 2016, I was able to organize all my photos online on my Flickr account. Gathering up photos from various computers, tablets, phones, etc. was a chore, but I now have everything organized and posted online. I love being able to call up memories on a whim. Next up, scanning all my family photos and making some photo books!
  • New babysitters: 2016 marked a turning point in our household. With the kids getting older, we’re able to let them babysit for one another for short periods of time. This has been a big breakthrough in terms of freedom. Now, if only I can find something to do…

Christina Kelly, Production Artist

  • Reply All podcast by Gimlet Media: hosted by PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman: A fun, interesting, and eye-opening show about internet culture and history. The podcast explores how unexplored parts of the vast subcultures and tidbits of the internet has shaped us and also showcases internet figures through interviews and amazing short stories.
  • Golden Thread Tarot app by Tina Gong: A gorgeous, sleek, and simple app that acts as a tarot card deck and a tarot card reader companion to your own tarot card deck. The design of the app's deck is lovely and the UX design is very pleasant and works well for a medium that typically feels unfamiliar in digital form. A fun and meditative addition to my everyday routine.

Andrea Calvin, Vice President of FableVision Learning

  • Edith and Mazer Calvin: The Calvin house became a tad more cat-filled in 2016 when we welcomed Edith the Cat Calvin and Mazer the Cat Calvin to the family. We adopted the double-pawed siblings from Paws of Plainville (#adoptdontshop) the Saturday after Thanksgiving and have been cuddling and playing ever since. A tad on the hefty side, Edith likes to snuggle and sit. Mazer is more adventurous and is known to climb to the top shelf.

Jordan Bach, Senior Developer

  • Meet the Composer podcast from Q2 Music, hosted by Nadia Sirota: Great explorations into the minds and work of composers. I've gotten to know some new music and come away from each episode having learned to listen a little better, and inspired to live more creatively.
  • Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin: I raced through the first volume of these wonderful, cozy, funny essays about cooking and am now slowly savoring the second volume. Originally written for Gourmet Magazine in the ‘80s, the recipes can be a little dated but the spirit is infectious. For Colwin, cooking is all about connection. More dinner parties in 2017!
  • Gather Here: It's a sewing/knitting/craft shop in Inman Square, Cambridge, and although they sell lots of great stuff, it's really about learning, making, and community. I go there to take classes, to rent equipment, and for meetings of the Cambridge Modern Quilt Guild.

Loren Lee-Flynn, UX/UI Designer

  • Song Exploder Podcast from Radiotopia, hosted by Hrishikesh Hirway: This podcast has changed the way I think about music. Each episode is a deep examination of a single song and the creative process behind it. By isolating individual tracks from a recording, Hrishikesh prompts musicians to describe their decision-making—the how and why—in detail, eventually revealing how all of the parts come together to form the whole song. Even music I would never listen to for enjoyment becomes fascinating when viewed at this level.
  • Zumba in Norman B. Leventhal Park: Every summer, I look forward to the weekly Zumba classes offered through the P.O Fitness program at Norman B. Leventhal Park. The classes are fun, challenging, and completely free! The instructor, Emily McLaughlin keeps things interesting by offering a mix of Latin, Hip-hop, and kickboxing moves. The best part is, outdoor classes means no mirrors, so you can pretend you look like a fly-girl, even if your dancing more closely resembles Elaine's from Seinfeld.

Margarita Dekoli, Senior Developer

  • Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living by Krista Tippett: In Becoming Wise, Tippett distills the insights she has gleaned from luminous conversations with the leading thinkers over time and from mind to mind into a coherent narrative journey examining the great questions of meaning. The book is a master class in living, curated by Tippett and accompanied by a delightfully ecumenical dream team of teaching faculty.

Matt Brelsford, Developer

  • Moving to Western Massachusetts: This was the best decision of the decade for me and my wife, Jamie. It's something we dreamed of doing and living here absolutely changed our lives for the better. I live in a beautiful loft in a converted mill building above an indoor park, with an outdoor park in my backyard that hosts live music in the summer. We have a big kitchen and the awesome local food has inspired me to become a better cook.
  • Working from home: As much as I miss seeing everyone in person at the office, I still feel connected since we have a 'working from home' Google hangout that allows us to see what's happening at the studio. People still pop over to say hello and ask about my weekend, or talk about what games we've been playing. The commute is also pretty excellent.
  • Coworkers: See below.

Mikaela Johnson, Production Assistant

  • Bedtime Reading Ritual: I've been reading for the last 30-45 minutes before bed instead of watching TV on my computer and I feel much more relaxed when I'm falling asleep.

Mitul Daiyan, Marketing Coordinator

  • Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky: A gorgeously illustrated book that now lives on my shelf and the shelf of a few lucky friends that I’ve gifted this to. The book follows inspirational women in science who have made great strides in their field. Loving the girl power in this inspiring book!
  • Headspace: There's no doubt that everyone can stand to benefit from a little meditation and mindfulness. This wonderful, guided meditation app has something for everyone. The free version provides 10 free 10-minute meditation sessions that you can use over and over again. It has greatly improved my commute and helped me catch a breath of fresh air.

Headspace meditation app

Women in Science written and illustrated by Rachel Inotofsky

Sam Zollman, Production Assistant

  • Sewing and clothes-making: A newfound passion that I picked up after a year living abroad. The process of selecting fabrics, thinking spatially about the construction, and cultivating the physical skills has been a much-needed artistic outlet, plus you get to wear the end result!
  • Stretch Music by Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah: Scott blends Afro-Native American and west African rhythms, New Orleans jazz, and Trap music to create a personal reflection and excavation of his family history. It seems dense, but I think it is some of the most beautiful, creative, and inspiring music out there.    

Sarah Ditkoff , Marketing and Client Services Manager

  • In The Company of Women by Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge: A coffee table book that's actually worth sitting down and reading cover-to-cover. This inspiring compilation of women entrepreneurs and innovators in the greater creative community is full of great stories of successes, failure, and insights. The perfect gift for professionals in any creative field.
  • Revisionist History podcast by Panoply Media, hosted by Malcolm Gladwell: Once the news cycle has moved on, Revisionist History goes back and reexamines something overlooked or misunderstood from the past, like an event, a person, or an idea. Hosted by Malcolm Gladwell, the three-episode educational miniseries within Season 1 is especially fascinating.

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FableVision’s Ultimate Summer Reading List

Sarah's shelfie with some of her books at home. 

Sarah's shelfie with some of her books at home. 

It’s the classic summer scene: you stretch out by the pool or on the beach, casually toss your flip flops to the side, a glass of iced tea sweating next to you. You reach into your bag and pull out…that read. You know the one. The one you’ve put some forethought into. Maybe you solicited recommendations from friends on Facebook, or maybe you went to the bookstore solely with the mindset of, I’m just going to see what calls to me from the shelves.

If you’re like me, the anticipation of summer is coupled with the anticipation of summer reading time. Whether your tastes skew fantastical, informational, or somewhere in-between, the reading time when the temperatures rise and the air is filled with the sound of humming air conditioners may as well be sacred – it’s a true indulgence, don’t you think?

Here at FableVision Studios, we put together our indulgent summer reading list, be it a magazine, novel, comic book, or whatever we’re flicking through this summer. Read on, add to our list with your own recommendations, and ask your friend the question: so, what reads are you devouring this summer? 

 
 

Jordan Bach, Senior Developer

  • The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope: I've been reading the Palliser Novels, a series of six novels by Anthony Trollope; I just finished The Eustace Diamonds, which is the third. They're serials from the 1860s and 1870s, and are full of drama: broken engagements, fistfights, jewel thefts, and illicit waltzes. Interestingly, the novels also depict the political and class struggles of the time, which provides an interesting counterpoint to our current political climate.

Hannah O’Neal, Artist and Animator

  • The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: On the enthusiastic recommendation of a close friend, I'm reading the popular fantasy novel by Patrick Rothfuss.

Karen Bresnahan, Executive Producer

  • The Man Who Invented Rock 'n’ Roll by Peter Guralnick: Recommended only for those who want to read every little detail about the man who founded Sun Records and had an idea for a kind of music that would change the world. I’m not yet to the part of the book where Elvis Presley comes into the studio, but overall this story is a piece of history that I care a lot about.
 
 

Christina Kelly, Production Artist

  • Snotgirl by Bryan Lee-O'Malley: Bryan never fails to disappoint. After Scott Pilgrim and Seconds, I have high expectations for this series even after Issue 1. The story begins with a look inside a social media celebrity that, despite her picture perfect persona, has a toxic relationship with it. Her constantly running nose is a fact privy only to herself, until she meets a curious stranger. Looking forward to finding out what happens next after a very huge cliffhanger!

Leigh Hallisey, Creative Director

  • Siracusa by Delia Ephron:  Two very different married couples (connected by a past romance) go to Italy on vacation together and it's so suuuuuper tense and edgy their anxiety rubs off on you. The book begins after the couples return, and they take turns narrating their version of the events leading up to the dark events hinted at in the beginning. The distinct voices of the characters offer a fascinating view into their psyches and motivations, and the rich descriptions of Rome and Siracusa transport you there. It reminded me of The Talented Mr. Ripley in many ways, so if you liked that, read this!
 
 

Ethan Thibault, Marketing Intern

  • The Dragon Behind the Glass: A True Story of Power, Obsession, and the World's Most Coveted Fish by Emily Voigt: I just finished The Dragon Behind the Glass, which is a non-fiction book about the Asian Arowana, the world's most coveted aquarium fish (one sold for $150,000). The book follows a reporter trying to find the fish in the wild -- a near impossible task -- and through that journey learn about worldwide exotic animal culture, far-off secluded countries like Myanmar and Borneo, the history of the natural sciences from Aristotle to Linnaeus, and more! It's a really fascinating read, and a great way to dive in (pun intended) to a bunch of worlds you might not know about otherwise.

Margarita Dekoli, Senior Developer

 
 

Brian Grossman, Technical Director

Sarah Ditkoff, Marketing and Client Services Manager

  • Wicked by Gregory Maguire: How had I never read this?! I love stories that thrust you into worlds that manage to feel fresh and familiar at the same time.
  • The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry: I got my hands on an early copy of this (it comes out in January) and tore through it. Brunonia is my former employer and a dear friend, so I can't help but give her a plug here. If you've read her previous novels The Lace Reader and The Map of True Places, this is a signature Brunonia read -- a little haunting, a little mysterious -- a true Salem-steeped story that grabs you.
 
 

Polly Searles, Producer

  • Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar: 33 miners trapped under ground when the San Jose mine in Chile collapses in August 2010 for a record 69 days, surviving on nothing much more than a cracker and sips of water a day. Even though you know how it ends, it’s a real page turner!  Mind boggling that they were capable of surviving as a group for that long under those circumstances.  
  • A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson: It's kind of a companion book to Life After Life but you don’t have to have read that one (In fact I preferred A God in Ruins). Alternates between the story of a WW2 pilot on his final mission and his life in the present day. Easy read, interesting story, and a big twist at the end.
  • The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith: From Amsterdam 1631, about the first woman painter accepted into the Masters guild -- to NYC 1957 art restoration and forgery -- to Sydney 2000 where the story all comes together.  Fun to read about dutch painting and life for a woman painter in the 17th century.
  • A Garden of Letters by Alyson Richman: Continuing my interest in WW2 stories, this is about Italian Resistance fighters, first love, and music. History of Italy in WW2 that I was not familiar with.
 
 

Loren Lee, UX/UI Designer

  • Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter: Beautiful Ruins had everything I look for in a summer read—an exotic setting, interesting and intertwined cast of characters, and a fast-paced, romantic storyline. The Cinque Terre region of Italy has been on my travel list for years, and this book took me there, as well as offering a peek at the Hollywood studio system of the mid-20th century.

Adam Landry, Executive Vice President

  • Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben: I sorta blew through this one in a couple days.
  • The Summer Game by Roger Angell: Reading it slowly. Each chapter is kind of like a standalone short story.
  • The Matheny Manifesto by Mike Matheny: I've read it once, and reread different parts of it several times. I've also been sending along passages that I really enjoy to the parents of the Little League baseball team I coach. A sample excerpt: "I believe that the biggest role of the parent is to be a silent source of encouragement. I think if you ask most boys what they would want their parents to do during the game; they would say 'NOTHING.' Once again, this is ALL about the boys. I believe that a little league parent feels that they must participate with loud cheering and 'Come on, let’s go, you can do it,' which just adds more pressure to the kids. I will be putting plenty of pressure on these boys to play the game the right way with class, and respect, and they will put too much pressure on themselves and each other already. You as parents need to be the silent, constant, source of support."
 
 

Anthony Merola, Production Assistant

  • The Accidental Admiral by Admiral James G. Stavridis: The autobiography tells the story of how James Stavridis rose through the ranks of the navy to become a Four Star Admiral before being named as the first sailor to serve as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO forces. It is a fascinating story about leadership, diplomacy, and fostering relationships and dialogue with individuals to reach a common purpose and solve problems.

Peter H. Reynolds, Founder

  • Kids Deserve It! by Adam Welcome and Todd Nelsoney: Public education in the US needs a good kick in the innovation. This book written by front line educators who are what I like to call "gentle rebels." They help inspire folks to ditch the "one size fits all" test-centric approach to teaching -- and instead empower kids to inspire kids to learn creatively.  Their book confirms my own "create bravely" philosophy and I am sure it will resonate with anyone who has children in their lives -- whether they're educators, parents, or caregivers. 

Didi Hatcher, Lead Animator

  • What's Going On in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life by Lise Eliot, Ph.D: This is an incredibly interesting book by a neuroscientist and parent, who wants to reveal to the general public, in accessible language, the amazing things happening in a child's head as the brain and mind develop in infancy and early childhood. It's mind-blowing how every little experience, every word, every touch literally shape the brain and the mind, and the future person in general. It's powerful evidence to the importance of the nurture element, both scary (will I mess up my kid for life because I did X and not Y when he was a baby?) and very reassuring (whatever cards you were dealt by nature, there's always room for change via nurture). I highly recommend this book to anybody who wants kids, has kids, or just wants to know how a brain is built.
 
 

Mitul Daiyan, Marketing Coordinator

  • Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women edited by Nura Maznavi and Ayesha Mattu: A collection of thoughtfully assembled stories that provide an intimate look into the love lives of Muslim women. It spans across the spectrum of religiosity, ethnic make up, cultural backgrounds,  and has something profoundly relatable for everyone -- Muslim or not. 
  • Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur: Rupi Kaur is a gifted writer whose poems are constructed from words as sharp as the shards from broken glass. They frequently pierce your heart with those lurking but dormant feelings. With dark undertones, her carefully assembled words come together to capture a snapshot of the experience of being a woman, the complexity of parental divides, gut wrenching heartbreak, and the vulnerable currents that come with resilience. 

Yuri Guzman, Animation Intern

  • In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang: The art is beautiful and I especially like how the story touched on mature themes and told them through an adolescent's innocent perspective.

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FableVision and The Trustees of Reservations celebrate 125 years of conservation with new picture book

Massachusetts’ Best-Selling Author/Illustrator Duo Commissioned to Create Commemorative Storybook to Celebrate The Trustee’s 125th Anniversary—the Commonwealth’s Largest Conservation & Preservation Non-Profit

What kind of child grows up to change the world?  The Trustees of Reservations, the Commonwealth’s largest conservation and preservation organization, knows the answer. As part of their 125th anniversary celebration they commissioned FableVision co-founders Peter H. Reynolds and Paul A. Reynolds to write a commemorative-edition children’s picture book as a tribute to a little boy named Charley Eliot—who could grow up to be Massachusetts’ visionary preservationist and founder of The Trustees of Reservations—now known simply as The Trustees.

FableVision's Peter H. Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, and Julia Young pose with a portrait of Trustees founder Charles Eliot. 

FableVision's Peter H. Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, and Julia Young pose with a portrait of Trustees founder Charles Eliot. 

FableVision’s founder and New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds is excited about the book’s impact. “At FableVision, we’re very fond of visionaries—and Charles Eliot truly was one. I’m thrilled to be able to draw attention to his vision and mission that allowed The Trustees to protect so many of Massachusetts’ most precious sites for 125 years,” shared Reynolds.

Reynolds’ twin brother Paul, who recently landed the Library of Congress MassBook Award for Best Picture Book of the Year for his storybook collaboration with Peter called Going Places, was deeply touched by this project. “In researching, I learned that Eliot’s life was tragically cut short at age 37 by spinal meningitis, after which his father Charles W. Eliot, who was President of Harvard University, wrote a 770-page biography of his son’s life. Reading it, I felt as if Eliot’s father transported through time and was sitting next to me sharing about his remarkable little boy. Building on those details, I tried to create a story that would capture his son’s love for nature and history—a passion that would propel little Charley into a lifetime of conservation advocacy. The landscape of Massachusetts was impacted for generations because of this man’s vision. I hope this story inspires all ages to continue Eliot’s vision through the work of The Trustees, and that it will foster the next generation of stewardship of our natural and historic resources.” 

The endpapers at the front and back of the book feature full-color illustrations by the Reynolds’ longtime colleague and fellow FableVisionary Julia Anne Young who is also a writer, illustrator, and designer. Young’s drawings feature a handful of The Trustees’ signature properties around the Commonwealth. 

Attendees of The Trustee’s 125th Anniversary Gala in May received advance copies of the storybook.  Released in a limited-edition printing, the Charley Eliot and the Knights of the Woods storybook was carefully hand-bound by FableVision’s print partner, Bridgeport National Bindery (BNB) in Agawam, MA.  

BNB’s Michele Brennan notes, “Our most seasoned hand-binder from our library division, an immigrant from Moldova who has been with Bridgeport for nearly 35 years, used the time-honored technique fan binding. This is a centuries-old skill, one we decided to use once I shared the mission of The Trustees. Bridgeport preserves these skills and passes them on to our younger interns. It seemed appropriate to bind the books in this way to honor The Trustees’ 125th Anniversary.”

 Limited quantities of the collectors-edition book are also available at 12 sites, including The Trustees’ most visited National Historic Landmarks: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich and Naumkeag House and Gardens in Stockbridge.   Additional Trustees locations carrying the limited-edition book include Appleton Farms Dairy Store in Ipswich, KITCHEN at the Boston Public Market, Appleton Farms’ booth at the Boston Public Market, The Old Manse in Concord, Powisset Farm Guest House at Field Farm in Dover, Tully Lake Campground in Royalston, and Dunes Edge Campground in Provincetown.

Celebrate this special book with Peter and Paul during special book signing events this summer, including a public unveiling and birthday party at the Boston Public Library on Saturday, July 23, as well as special teacher/librarian event at The Blue Bunny Books in Dedham later this year.

 The Trustees’ 125th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with other public events and celebrations. Festivities include a Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra concert on August 6, hosted for the first time ever at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich. The Trustees will hold a special Member Appreciation Party on July 14 from 6 to 8p.m. in partnership with the Copley Square Hotel, also celebrating their historic 125th birthday, and with gratitude for 125 years of loyalty to The Trustees (RSVP required). 

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