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"Taking Cues from Nature" by Keneth Partridge, Greenwhich Post, March 1, 2007. Copyright©GreenwichPost. (view the article in pdf)

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RECOMMENDED BOOK
For Kids, Teachers, Parents, and Everyone Else

I highly recommend the book "Where the Wisdom Lies: A message from nature’s small creatures" by Hope Ives Mauran. This little book is packed with powerful messages about the vital role that the small critters play in keeping our planet healthy. At the same time, this book creatively expresses the importance and necessity of becoming responsible stewards of the planet.

This book will be highly appreciated in the classroom and in the home. In the classroom, it can serve as a great complement to animal and habitat science curriculum. In the home, it will be enjoyed and appreciated by both children and adults. (My husband and I found this book to be very profound and motivating.)

- Jennifer Reinfeld, MS Ed
Executive Director of Children of the Earth United
www.childrenoftheearth.org

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Reviewer: Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas)
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (2/07)
"Where the Wisdom Lies by Hope Ives Mauran is a book with a target audience of children between the ages of eight and twelve, but there is an important message for all people. In this story, a young female is magically brought to a place known as the Underground where a council of creatures has been assembled to instruct her on how to spread their message to the rest of the human population. This council consists of talking animals, such as a toad and a snake, whose physical size is much larger than normal in order to signify their importance in the environment. These animals offer the lady some important lessons over a two-week time period. First, they educate her about time. They explain how progress by humans has led to a decrease in the standard or quality of life for many other species. They suggest that clocks need to be reset from artificial (or manmade) time back to natural time when the seasons dictated when things would be done. Another lesson they taught her is the interactions among all inhabitants of the earth are vital to its preservation. If you take something from the earth, you need to give back to maintain a balance and stability among the inhabitants. All creatures of the earth have special gifts and perform important duties so we should respect all life even if we see no obvious benefit to some creatures' existence.

I really liked the picture and the vivid colors on the book cover. It is eye-catching and really captures the lessons this book is trying to convey. This book is a good length for kids and delivers an important message without getting too preachy. I can envision Where the Wisdom Lies would make for a good classroom discussion and offer possibilities for assigning projects to get students actively involved in helping preserve the land.

We all need to be ambassadors for preserving the earth and its resources. One person alone may not be able to physically accomplish this task but he or she can set the wheels in motion and inspire others to join in this important crusade."

Helping to Save Our Planet, February 5, 2007
Reviewer: Laura E. Bullock "genesmom66" (New York)
This is an incredibly timely book, short in length but of huge importance. This book appears now, when the Earth's environment is in the most jeopardized state in which it's ever been and when scientists are crying out to heed their warnings-- that some of the damage inflicted upon our precious planet is now irreversible. We must immediately start altering our negligent behaviors, many of which include taking our natural resources for granted; endangering the world's plants and animals, whose absence will greatly affect the already threatened ecological balance, and refusing to reuse and recycle products that can be of benefit more than once, thereby reducing waste and excessive energy usage. Mauran imparts valuable and priceless lessons to the reader, adult or child (I'd say the book is appropriate for eighth grade upwards.), and reading her poetic missive will most likely impart the will to action and change for the better of our planet and all of its inhabitants. Where the Wisdom Lies is a beautiful treatise on the sacredness of life and a call to reconnect with the already naturally established balance, harmony and rhythms of life on our Earth.

Compelling, December 10, 2006
Reviewer: Martha Snyder (Virginia, USA)
I couldn't put it down. i was drawn in, like the author to another world
i felt that her experience was not imaginary but very real.
the message is vital and it has caused me to think about many things more deeply. i am sure that the seeds planted will continue to grow in me slowly realigning my view of the world and my role, relative to the natural kingdoms of earth. the form the message takes though simple is very penetrating.

Reviewed by Tami Brady
Where the Wisdom Lies is a fable about one woman’s fantastical journey that sets her upon an environmental/spiritual quest crusade. The adventure starts off on a seemingly normal day. The author is walking her dog in the woods, like she had done many times before. However, on this particular day, the author is exposed to a hidden world. While resting against a tree, Hope finds a door to a place called the Underworld.

The Underworld is home to all sorts of creatures: beetles, snakes, toads, weasels, spiders, and a gnome. Over the course of a few weeks, Hope visits these individuals multiple times. Each time she returns from her journey, the author has learned (or been reminded) of another important lesson. In the end, she is urged to share her finding with the rest of the world.

Where the Wisdom Lies is an important reminder in these busy chaotic times of the importance of balance and natural cycles. We need to understand the consequences of our actions and inactions.

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Quotes:
“It’s sweet, simple and heartfelt. There is also an energy transmitted through the words I find it all very soothing and calming.”

“Very creative and lots of food for thought.”

“What a wonderful way to teach. A gift to all who want to learn, a gift to our Earth.”

“I began to read it and I couldn’t stop. Soaking up every word, every image, every little story within the story… and before I knew it, I had read all 79 pages…and…
I’m not going to tell you anymore, I would rather you just read the book. Then pass it on. Preferably to a child of your choice… with the direction that they too must pass it on. I will be ordering several more copies.”