Sophia's Gift

By:   Karen B Kurtz
Designed by:   Jessica Trippe
Illustrated by:   Loran Chavez
Imprint:   Intellect Publishing, LLC
Dimensions:   Height: 254mm,  Width: 178mm,  Spine: 6mm
Weight:   299g
ISBN:   9781945190971
ISBN 10:   1945190973
Pages:   30
Publication Date:   01 January 2021
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

"Award-winning author Karen B. Kurtz has published books, essays, poetry, and countless articles for readers of all ages. Karen's credits include DOLLS, Antique DOLL Collector, DOLL NEWS, Doll Reader, Doll World, Contemporary Doll Collector, Birmingham Arts Journal, Civil War Times, Alabama Heritage, AntiqueWeek, Highlights for Children, Cobblestone, Child Life, Scholastic, Daisy, Country Woman, Instructor, Lady's Circle, Farm Journal and many more. A Coleman Award from United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC) empowered Karen's research into American Civil War dolls with provenance. She met the captivating old china doll Grace Darling from Culpeper, Virginia, that was manufactured in the 1850s by Alt, Beck and Gottschalck in Thuringia, Germany. A casual turn of phrase in Grace Darling's provenance alerted Karen to Great Britain, where she learned about the doll's namesake, Grace Horsley Darling, the real British Victorian icon. UFDC officers praised Karen's work that ""accomplishes much in trail blazing this area of doll research."" Editors at Civil War Times said Karen's work ""for the very first time, speaks to the everyday activities of women and children, not men and battles."" A former elementary school teacher, college administrator, editor, publisher, and consultant, Karen holds a master's degree from Indiana University. Loran Chavez is an award-winning, self-taught artist with representation in several Gulf Coast galleries. Her art career began nine months after she and her family were involved in an automobile accident that left Loran with a permanent injury. She went back to painting, something enjoyed during childhood, to help her work through the pain of the accident. Loran's diligence paid off. She became well known after 10 years. Loran's art is now found in collections all over the world. She competes in 12 to 15 juried art competitions every year, which allows travel opportunities. Loran enjoys mentoring other artists, and delights in teaching children a love of art and recycled art forms through summer-long experiences. She eagerly takes on new projects that expand her knowledge of the arts. Loran's house is the largest art project she has ever created. The master bath is an underwater scene she designed and created from vitreous and glass tiles. It took more than six months to complete. She also helped to design unique home spaces that surprise and delight visitors. Loran Chavez and Karen B. Kurtz live in the community of Fairhope, Alabama, on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay."