'Sophia's Gift' author speaks at Goshen Public Library

GOSHEN — The Goshen Public Library presents a talk by Karen B. Kurtz at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 21 at 601 S. Fifth St.

During her talk, Kurtz will talk about her award-winning children’s book, “Sophia’s Gift,” and its publishing journey, sign books and answer questions.

Based upon a true story from Civil War-era Virginia, “Sophia’s Gift” follows Sophia Strauss and her mother, Caroline, as they nurse a wounded soldier back to health.

When he recovers enough to travel, the soldier gives Sophia a china doll she names Grace Darling, after the British Victorian icon, Grace Horsley Darling.

“Sophia’s Gift,” her fifth book, has garnered three book awards: Gold in the Human Relations Indie Book Awards for cultural human relations in children’s books, as a finalist in the Canadian-based IAN Book of the Year Award for children’s nonfiction and Short-Listed in the CIBAs Little Peeps Book Awards for picture books.

Kurtz used an award from The United Federation of Doll Clubs in Kansas City, Mo., to research American Civil War dolls with provenance (history of ownership). She traveled the U. S. and Canada documenting dozens of dolls.

Artist Loran Chavez, a resident of Fairhope, Ala., illustrated “Sophia’s Gift,” a 32-page hardcover book for ages 8 and older, with watercolor spreads. Provenance, historical notes, color photos and a map are included.

Kurtz has published books, essays, poetry, and countless articles in leading magazines and newspapers for readers of all ages.

For more information, visit karenbkurtz.com and sophiasgiftbook.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: 'Sophia's Gift' author speaks at Goshen Public Library