Page 8 Stories of the Heartland • Sunday, September 20, 2026 hometownsource. com / heartland / continue in a different form.
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Lessons planted in books Although the fields went quiet, the lessons from them continued to shape the Olsons’ work. Sarah began putting those lessons into children’ s books. Her first book,“ Sunshine Seeds,” was released in January 2023. It introduced Johnny the Sunflower, who learns he can remain bright, joyful and helpful no matter where he is planted.
Johnny blooms apart from the rest of the field and initially resents being separated from the other sunflowers.
“ He’ s unhappy where he blooms and doesn’ t understand why he is not with the rest of the pack,” Sarah said.
He eventually discovers that his location gives him opportunities he would not have had elsewhere.
“ No matter where he blooms, he can be a blessing and share in unique things because of where he is located,” Sarah said.“ There are still positives that can be found.” The character was named for her husband.“ The book is my tribute to him from me,” Sarah said. The book also gave the family a way to preserve memories from the fields and pass their lessons to their children.
“ A lot of people haven’ t had the opportunity to have the experiences we have had through the Fish Sunflowers adventure,” she said.“ Through the books, we are sharing what we learned.”“ Gratitude Seeds” followed in March 2023. It tells the story of Bella the Butterfly, who wakes with a bent wing, a crooked antenna and a grumpy attitude. As Bella plants gratitude seeds, her outlook begins to change.
“ Each time she plants a gratitude seed, there is a shift in her attitude and a shift in her focus,” Sarah said.
The third book,“ Bee-Attitude Seeds,” was released in December 2023. It follows Bonny the Bee, who learns that a good attitude can help her become kinder, more generous, more forgiving, more humble and more loving.
The books allowed Sarah and Johnny to continue sharing the values behind Fish Sunflowers during the years without public fields.
They also benefited the Sunshine Foundation, the nonprofit created to support acts of kindness and community healing.
The lessons in the books reflected the Olsons’ own experience: bloom where you are planted, practice gratitude, choose a better attitude and serve others.
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Children’ s author Sarah Olson is pictured with her first book,“ Sunshine Seeds.” Olson has also written“ Gratitude Seeds” and“ Bee-Attitude Seeds,” all part of the“ Seed Books” trilogy.
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