We Are One

 “We Are One” is an inspiring picture book that highlights how deeply interconnected we all are on our beautiful planet Earth. It empowers readers of all ages to care for the Earth, presents climate change from a hopeful, action-focused perspective, and features playful, lovely illustrations. The book’s interactive questions throughout the text encourage deeper discussion and invite further exploration. There is a robust section that equips readers with immediate, practical actions they can take to help mitigate climate change and care for the planet. The back matter adds clear, concise information on many topics and includes helpful resources for teachers, librarians, and parents. As a school librarian always looking for books that will reach a wide swath of readers, I highly recommend this book to be included in all school libraries, classroom libraries and home libraries.

Robin Shornstein

School librarian at Middle Way School and School Librarian for 25 years at Woodstock Day School

Dorna Schoeter’s latest book, We Are One, is an absolute gem! This charming tale, told in the voice of the Earth, invites readers to explore the vast and beautiful web of people, plants, animals, and natural resources that make up our planet. Through this story and the stunning illustrations, we come to understand both the interconnected nature of life on Earth and the need to care for and preserve our fragile ecosystem.

This book will be an invaluable resource for teachers from early elementary grades through middle school as a tool for bringing the topics of ecology and natural science to life. Used as a read-aloud, the youngest will be enchanted by the story and the colorful illustrations as they gain an awareness of their role in preserving our planet. The text, along with the supplemental pages that follow, will provide older students and their teachers with in-depth yet accessible information regarding the challenges of managing resources with specific ideas about how each of us can do our part. This gorgeous, multi-faceted book is a must-have for every family and classroom!

Mary Ellis

Former Elementary and Middle School Science Teacher, and K-12 Director of Curriculum and Instruction

As a science and environmental educator, a parent and aspiring planet steward, a school administrator, this wonderful story resonates in so many ways. The combination of a simple and clear message with its beautiful delivery is perfect for engaging today's young earthlings in a rich, multi-sensory experience. Natural "turn and talk" or reflection moments at just the right level are built in. You can tell that an educator wrote this book and that a caring team assembled it. As a parent, I read this book to my child before bed, and the imagery was so incredibly rich that he told me the next day that the images were in his dreams. The text and imagery work together perfectly to tell a hugely impactful and important story. Finally, as an administrator, not only does this book encourage multi-faceted literacy elements, but it really touches on the importance of civics and being outwardly focused and empathetic, the soft skills that we are always trying to teach and model for our students and community. In short, this is not just an amazing read, it is an amazing journey and call to action created and curated by obvious experts whose passion for the topic is both palpable and contagious.

Dan Novak, Assistant Director of Environmental Ed. & Sustainability Center for Environmental Ed.

We Are One invites young readers into a heartfelt conversation with Earth that is both scientifically grounded and deeply hopeful. By blending beautiful storytelling with clear ecological insights and practical actions, this book empowers children to see themselves as caring participants in the living systems around them. It is a wonderful resource for classrooms, libraries, and families nurturing environmental stewardship. 

Byron Garcia

Biomimicry Practitioner, Educator, Innovator

I have been excited to share Dorna’s books with my grandchildren. Dorna’s way of writing informs, teaches, and encourages curiosity and interest. I too learn while sharing her book! As a result, as a family, we have begun steps to use what we’ve read to make plans to implement more environmentally conscious choices. Thanks, Dorna!

Joanne Gelb

Rhinebeck Resident

"This delightful story tells how removing burrs from dog fur leads to the invention of Velcro. Through the voices of Sven the dog and his owner, George, and attractive illustrations, Dorna Shhroeter guides children to learn from nature and to see beyond the frustration of burrs to nature's genius, the innovations inspired by nature. Parents will love reading this book to their little children, and it will be a sought-after source of inspiration and seed for curiosity about nature in the elementary school years."

Paul Fleischack, Retired Rector of Michaelhouse Boarding School, 

Biomimicry Educator & Marine Biologist, South Africa

"I highly recommend this story since it stirs the imagination of young minds to look at nature and creation as a gift to appreciate the wonders of life. In addition, it inspires young readers to think about what their own talent can produce from simple observations... I encourage every school library to have discussion groups using the tips in the story. What a great stocking Christmas filler this could be... Kudos to the author. What a good read for young minds!"

Prof Wysolmerski... College of St Rose

“In this delightful and fascinating book, author Dorna Schroeter introduces the young reader to the amazing wonders of nature and the exciting world of biomimicry. It is immediately relatable. How many of us have pulled burdock seeds from our beloved pets? It is also the perfect segue for educators to help children discover the possibilities of how nature’s unique designs can inspire our creativity, inquiry and problem-solving skills." 

Dan Shornstein

Retired Elementary School Principal and former Director of Curriculum at The Ashokan Center, in Olivebridge, N.Y.

“The Story of Velcro” is an engaging story of Swiss engineer, Georges deMestral, and his design of a revolutionary product, Velcro. It covers his journey from his observations and investigations to the ultimate design of a product that truly changed our world. As a science teacher, I often challenge my students to think like a scientist. With this book, I can show my students how to observe and learn from the genius of nature, and how to discover the scientist in us all! I can’t wait for the other books in this series."

Diane Madaio

Retired 5th Grade Teacher

Chappaqua Central School District

“Educating young people about climate change is critical, but equally as important is exposing our children to the wonders of nature and, in turn, inspiring them to be caretakers of the planet. “How an Idea from Nature Changed Our World” by Dorna Schroeter clearly does that through a true story about biomimicry, a concept that has not been talked about in children's literature. This groundbreaking and important book is both accessible and motivating and will undoubtedly encourage children to further investigate the natural world.”

Robin Shepley-Shornstein

Retired School Librarian, Woodstock Day School

School Librarian Consultant

"Biomimicry has grown to become one of the most important forms of engineering of our time. “How An Idea From Nature Changed Our World” is a colorful and inspiring story for all ages, explaining the origins of the first Bio-inspired product, Velcro. The language and structure of George and Sven’s story leave the reader curious and motivated to try their luck at this incredible form of engineering!"

Catherine Leist

former Program Assistant

PNW BOCES Center for Environmental Education

"Dorna Schroeter has mastered the skill of telling the story of Nature's genius to young people. The Story of Eco-Machines introduces the reader to Biomimicry while on an inspiring journey to clean wastewater effectively and efficiently using only Nature's resources. The story shows how we can learn from Nature to regenerate the Earth to ensure our own futures. It also brings the message of hope to adolescents, who may be overwhelmed by the current deluge of environmental bad news. This book will inspire learning from Nature. It is a most interesting read for middle school students seeking that "10-minute read" and will inspire a sense of wonder at Nature's genius. It should be compulsory reading for teachers and have a prominent place in every school library."

Paul Fleischack, Retired Rector of Michaelhouse Boarding School, Biomimicry Educator & Marine Biologist, South Africia 

"Dorna Schroeter’s book “The Story of Eco-Machines” is many things; it is very educational, a marvelous tale, and inspirational. She chronicles the power inherent within the natural world to help heal damaged ecosystems, feed humanity, and address climate change. I am very proud to be part of the book’s story. My hope is that it will be widely adopted in classrooms throughout the country."

John Todd 

Co-founder of The New Alchemy Institute and Ocean Arks International, author, distinguished lecturer at the University of Vermont and co-designer with nature of the eco-machine   

"The Story of Eco-Machines" is filled with wonderful information for adults and kids and truly teaches us about nature and how it inspires technology!  As a 6th grader teacher, I would definitely recommend using the text as a Jigsaw- each group taking a piece they would be responsible for and then teaching the rest of the class about the category, "New Alchemy", "The tanks jobs", "Heat Sinks", "New Problem", etc. . I would also pose the question "What is Sustainability?" with my students beforehand and do some inquiry-based questioning. Then, they would share their learning in a Jamboard or a Google Slide show.  Along with the NGSS standards, we would revisit the Sustainability topic to add new learning after learning about Biomimicry from the text.  Answering questions my students had initially from the learning in the text enhances their understanding and makes the problem/solution of today in nature feel real. I believe it will inspire students to be aware of their surroundings and to create solutions for the future."

Erin Daniels

6th grade teacher, Haviland Middle School, 

Hyde Park School District, Hyde Park, NY