Sophia R. Tyler

Sophia R. Tyler hopes to reintroduce the timeless message of the Golden Rule to young children. Currently a senior at Hope College, she will begin the Master of Social Work program at University of Denver in Fall 2023. Sophia also interns for Ready for Life, a nonprofit organization which fosters an inclusive community and provides creative and engaging opportunities for college students with disabilities. Her children’s picture book, The Friendly Mouse, launched March 21.

Instagram: @TheFriendlyMouseBook

What period of history do you wish you knew more about?
The 1940s. I love Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, the way people dressed, the seemingly more romantic relationships then, as opposed to now, hand-written letters, dancing dates, humble gentlemen. I am also fascinated by WW2 and the sadness of the Holocaust... just terrible.

Not all books are for all readers… When you start a book and you just don’t like it, how long do you read until you bail?
20 pages. Remember, only 20% of the population finishes the books they start.

Is there a work of art that you love? Why? Have you ever visited it in person?
I like many of the icons of the past, including Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Slim Aarons, and some local artist in and around Maui.

What’s the difference (at least for you!) between being a writer and an author? How do you shift gears between the two?
A writer, I believe, writes for the reader, to help and educate or come alongside. The author seems more of a job, more about the person writing than the reader.

Do you have another artistic outlet in addition to your writing? Do you sew? Paint? Draw? Knit? Dance?
I have a robust interest in art and design desire and have several pieces of my art displaced in various homes around Michigan and Florida. It gives me joy to know it brings others joy.