I am delighted to announce the launch of my book The Tiger Trilogy and The Songs of sOPHIa in collaboration with the talented Colombian illustrator Lina Cabrera. The core inspiration of the book is the work of the Oxford Professor Sabina Alkire, founder of OPHI, The Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford.
The book is currently available in the USA/UK through https://rugidomagico.com/ in bilingual versions, English-Spanish and English-Portuguese. Later it will be available in Brazil and Latam.
Rugido Magico is Lina’s and my collaboration to create inspiring magical books in multiple languages that can be read aloud to spark empathy, stir the imagination, and encourage people to come together to be brave catalysts for change.
Please buy a copy and read it to some children!
“The Tiger Trilogy” is inspired by real-world efforts to combat poverty and achieve social and environmental justice. It aims to inspire young readers to embrace their potential to make a positive difference in the world.
In the first story, “The Tiger is Here,” we meet a majestic tiger who encounters Sophia, the embodiment of wisdom and compassion. Witnessing Sophia’s sadness at the suffering she encounters, the tiger embarks on a mission to alleviate it, using his strength and determination to make a positive impact. This story was inspired by the former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Juan Manuel Santos Calderón (see The Elders Foundation) talking about his work with Professor Sabina Alkire of Oxford with whom he worked to lower poverty and end the Colombian civil war and by great business leaders in Latin America combating poverty.
The second story, “Tiger & Butterfly,” highlights the importance of collaboration and ecological balance. The tiger forms an unlikely friendship with a butterfly, and together they discover the interconnectedness of all living things. This story was inspired by Alicia Montalvo and Sergio Diaz-Granados Guida to make CAF -banco de desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe- the green development bank that ends poverty.
The concluding story, “Tiger Loves Carnival,” celebrates the power of collective action and joy. The tiger joins forces with other benevolent creatures to create a vibrant carnival, fostering a sense of community and hope. The story reminds us that carnival celebrates the end of slavery and I am indebted to Flavia Santoro Trujillo, former queen of the Carnival in Barranquilla, the Mayor’s Office Alcaldía Distrital de Barranquilla, Colombia and Fundación Santo Domingo for inspiration and of course the carnivals in Brazil.
The trilogy also includes an epilogue, “The Songs of sOPHIa,” that captures the essence of the work of Professor Alkire, and her work with OPHI. Five percent of the proceeds of the book go to Sophia Oxford to support Professor Alkire’s work.
We hope you enjoy the book and read it out loud to children, with a magical roar! https://rugidomagico.com/