A new book written by Loch Sheldrake resident Judy Schafman, and edited by her husband Larry Schafman, blends the fantasy of magical creatures with a message of environmental stewardship and ecological harmony. “Sequoia, Lady Liberty, and Ganesh” tells the story of a group of shapeshifting children and young adults who learn lessons from a series of teachers they encounter on a journey through the forest. The youths have magical powers and have been raised to appreciate the natural world around them; one teen studies zoology in college, another child has a deep connection to trees, and another loves birds. 

The three characters named in the book’s title are three different teachers that each have a unique lesson to teach the kids about the earth and its many interconnected inhabitants. 

Schafman said she had two motivations to write this book. The first was a lifelong fascination with the creatures of fantasy novels, including “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Lord of the Rings.” The second motivation was rooted in environmental concerns over the health of our planet and a desire to communicate these concerns to a younger generation. She said the book was “written in a way to be attractive for young people, to invite people in to look at the issues and to think of one good thing to do for the earth.”

Schafman said one main theme in the book is that each individual has a unique perspective, and as such, a singular voice. Characters in the story that act as teachers and spiritual guides for the children all speak, including a buffalo, a lion, a tiger, a banyan tree, and a douglas fir tree. “It’s time for those voices to be heard. It’s time for us to know we can hear the voices of animals and trees. Animals are sentient, they have feelings and emotions,” said Schafman.  

At one point in the tale, Sequoia teaches the children an ecology lesson through a dream. The children wake up and realize the deep message of ecological stewardship. Though arising in a fictional narrative, the use of dreams to understand one’s inner life is taken directly from reality—for over 40 years, Judy and Larry have been using their dreams to gain deeper understanding of their own inner selves.

“I’m a psychotherapist by trade and my first book was about dream work [Sailing the Sea of Dreams- Coming Home to Your Inner Wisdom]. My goal then was to help people devolve into the language of their own dreams,” said Schafman. 

She said that when you remember a dream, it’s important to understand that every piece of your dream—a tree, rock, or elephant—has something to say. “Everything speaks,” said Schafman.

Larry works in Gestalt Therapy, a school of psychology that focuses on the mind’s perception of whole patterns, in which the therapist works to bring harmony between conflicting forces to bring them together. 

“The new book is trying to bring harmony in the world between animals and humans,” Larry said, “between humans and trees.” 

Judy said she’s been gaining insight into her own journey through her dreams for many years, and she shared the results of some recent dream work: “Several weeks ago I had a dream about an art exhibit. When I woke up, I realized my friend had suggested that I give an art exhibit.” With the image of the exhibit from her dream still fresh in her mind, Judy began preparing work for the exhibit, entitled “The Trees, Animals, and Birds Speak,” which will also be a book signing for her new publication. The art exhibit and the book signing at the Old Stone House of Hasbrouck will open in Woodbourne on Saturday, October 18 from 2-7 p.m., and continue on Saturdays and Sundays from 3-5 p.m. through October 26.

“Sequoia, Lady Liberty, and Ganesh” tells a fantastical tale of magical creatures and speaking trees. In their journey through the forest, the youths receive lessons from the many teachers they encounter, and through these lessons, their awareness of environmental concerns are enhanced as their feeling of connection to all living things is enriched. The children develop a deeper understanding of their own inner lives, and in doing so, establish a sense of responsibility within the larger mosaic of life here on Earth.