Sofia and the Heartmender [Hardcover]

Marie Olofsdotter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1993

When no one seems to understand Sofia's fear of the shadow-monsters that she sees in the dark, her heart breaks and she goes to see the Heartmender for help.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. Sofia's heart is broken in two when adults refuse to take her fears seriously. Parents and teacher alike trivialize the shadow monsters that follow her, but a wise dog guides her through a magical world where she meets the Heartmender. During the journey, Sofia confronts her fears, which then disappear, and the Heartmender heals Sofia's heart with moonlight. Back in the real world, stronger with renewed self-esteem and confidence, Sofia makes her feelings known to the adults and asks that they be respected. Olofsdotter has created a rich and inspiring story by carefully crafting a dynamic between text and illustrations. Richly colored and exquisitely detailed, the illustrations add information and evoke the mythical time and space where the wounded self is healed. A book to be enjoyed at various levels by young and older children alike. Graciela Italiano

About the Author

Marie Olofsdotter is a Swedish-born visual artist who has worked as a freelance designer and performer in Stockholm, Paris, Berlin, and Minnesota. She currently teaches mask-making, puppetry, and scenic design to children in Minneapolis, where she has lived since 1982.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Pub (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915793504
• ISBN-13: 978-0915793501
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,421,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mending Hearts, Mending Souls, June 6, 2000

By 

Sashya R. Comito (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sofia and the Heartmender (Hardcover)

THis book may be geared for 4-8 year-olds. However, I loved it just the same! It was like music to my soul...a journey where past and present meet, and unite to make for a peacful future.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of learning how to raise one's self-esteem, December 3, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sofia and the Heartmender (Hardcover)

Sweedish-American artist and author Marie Olofsdotter presents Sofia and the Heartmender, a children's picturebook about Sofia, a young girl learning to deal with life's challenges. Intimidated by shadow-monsters on her wall at night, Sofia tries to tell her parents and her teacher about what she sees, only to have her apprehensions summarily dismissed as foolish. Sad and lonely, her heart broken, she encounters the mysterious Heartmender who teaches her how to mend her heart and confront her fears. Sofia learns not only how to deal with shadow monsters, but also how to remain confident, respectful and assertive when negotiating with the adults in her life. A story of learning how to raise one's self-esteem, Sofia and the Heartmender features a positive message and moderately involved text, ideal for young people who are just about ready to move on to chapter books. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hearts in the forest, November 8, 2001

By 

John Morearty "author of Walking to Omega" (Stockton, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sofia and the Heartmender (Hardcover)

Sofia and the Heartmender, by Marie Olofsdotter. Little Sofia is beset by monsters, but her teacher and parents don't care. Her heart breaks; so does her cat's. But she goes on a quest.... Gorgeous full-page color illustrations. I'm not a kid, and this book makes my heart pound.