CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Secrets of the Whispering Pines Book One in the Aurora and Sandy Adventure Series Written and illustrated by Adrianna Sawchyn at Aurora Sacred Healing When the morning sun peeks through the trees, Aurora wakes to the smell of bannock and berries and a warm hug from Auntie. Today is a sacred day—just like every day. As they sit at the breakfast table, Auntie reminds Aurora to make the most of the time she’s been given. She speaks of a secret hidden deep in the forest, a treasure that can’t be seen with the eyes alone. With a smile, she shares a mysterious phrase: “Listen with your heart, trust in the land, and follow the whispering wind.” And so begins Aurora’s journey. With her joyful dog Sandy bounding beside her, Aurora follows the call of the wind into the heart of the boreal forest. Along the winding path, the two companions gather forest treasures, solve a playful riddle, and encounter signs that guide them deeper into the unknown. But the way is not always clear. When fog rolls in and the trail disappears, Aurora begins to doubt herself. It’s only when she takes a mindful pause—a breath for her body, a breath for her mind, and a breath to connect with spirit—that the path reveals itself once more. In a circle of towering Grandfather Pines, Aurora learns to listen not just with her ears, but with her heart. There, she meets a shapeshifting trickster: the wise and playful Whiskey Jack—known in Cree and Anishinaabe traditions as Wisakedjak, the spirit of storytelling and transformation. His presence reminds Aurora that every step she takes is part of a larger story, one written by the land itself. As Aurora and Sandy return home, hearts full and hands carrying a gift from the forest, she understands at last: The secret wasn’t something to find—it was something to feel. ⸻