“Heartfelt and soulful, this charming story is a beloved reminder of the beauty of staying true to oneself and how joyful it feels to really be seen.”
Patrice Karst

Meet Ashmuvara. A World Champion, an Epic Athlete, an Archery Legend who has never once missed a shot!

Except, competing is not what really makes his heart sing. Ashmuvara is a gentle and thoughtful nine-year-old boy who loves collecting rocks at the edge of the forest. One day, the wise and beloved Ganesha sets him on an unexpected course that will help him see that what he fears most isn’t losing an archery match, but disappointing his father who adores him dearly.

Meet Ashmuvara. A World Champion, an Epic Athlete, an Archery Legend who has never once missed a shot!

Except, Ashmuvara doesn’t really care for archery, or competing. Being in nature and collecting rocks is what makes his heart sing.
Come on a journey to a faraway land as Ashmuvara navigates the intense pressure of performance, the heartache of letting people down, and the redemptive qualities of empathy and self-compassion, all with a little help from his pal Ganesha.

The Rock Collector is a children’s picture book for kids ages 6-12 and adults of all ages.

The Rock Collector explores the essential wisdom that difficult emotions can work for us when we allow ourselves to fully feel them. Seeing our kids for who they are — and meeting them where they are — is the greatest gift we can give them.

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Where to BUY in South Africa

About

Margo Buchanan

Margo Buchanan

Margo Buchanan is a San Francisco native who has been living in Cape Town, South Africa, for the last decade. She is a writer, yogi, clean-tech investor and advisor, gender equality advocate, and mindfulness practitioner. She mothers fiercely to Maeve (7) and Ashlan (5) with her partner Jonathan. When she isn’t in front of her laptop, she is journaling with her kids, cooking and hosting friends, and sitting on her meditation cushion. The Rock Collector is her first children’s book.
Becky James
Becky James
Becky James is an illustrator and belly dance enthusiast with a penchant for bold patterns and statement earrings. She lives in Croydon with her cat Ziggy and has been drawing ever since she was old enough to hold a pen. She is creatively charged by the natural world around her as well as her eclectic movie collection. When she is not doodling in her office you can find her singing into a hairbrush, walking in nature, or hosting friends. The Rock Collector is her first published children’s book project.

Philanthropic Beneficiary Partners

The Rock Collector is a book with a mission. All first edition net proceeds go toward charitable organizations working to support underprivileged children in Africa with yoga, meditation, life and leadership skills. Meet our partners:

Earthchild Project: Earthchild Project operates in disadvantaged primary schools in the Western Cape. Their educational programs focus on providing practical skills that compliment the academic curriculum, such as teaching children to connect with themselves through yoga and life skills, nurturing a respect for nature through worm farming, gardening and eco clubs, and inpsiring a new generation of leaders through holiday programs and hiking clubs.

What People are Saying:

"The Rock Collector reminds us that the best way to deal with difficult emotions is to simply go through them. Feeling our feelings is the right answer every time. Heartfelt and soulful, this charming story is a beloved reminder of the beauty of staying true to oneself and how joyful it feels to really be seen."

Patrice Karst
Bestselling author of the invisible string and workbook, the invisible leash, the invisible web, and you are never alone, an invisible string lullaby.

"This book is so beautiful in its simplicity and its gentle story of the vulnerability needed to win on your own terms. I will read it a hundred times."

Dr. Pippa Grange
Author of Fear Less and former Head of People and Team Development at The Football Association.

"The Rock Collector is a lovely story about the power of presence and connection
within ourselves and in our relationships.”

Tina Payne Bryson Ph.D
Co-author (with Dan Siegel) of two New York Times Best Sellers—THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD and NO-DRAMA DISCIPLINE—and Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Connection.

"The Rock Collector by Margo Buchanan is a wonderful story for all generations. It shows in a colorful and wise fashion how listening and sharing can make our load in life a little lighter. The illustrations by Becky James enhance the tale and bring Ashmuvara to life!"

Sharon Salzberg
Author of Lovingkindness and Real Happiness.

"In this delightful children’s story we meet a true hero; Ashmuvara, a compassionate young boy who has a passion for nature and rock collecting. He is in touch with his gentle and caring heart. We are taken on a journey of discovery. This beautifully illustrated, tender story highlights the gift of acceptance, kindness, empathy and love. It is a precious gift of a book."

Dr Linda Kantor
Adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, counselling psychologist, hypnotherapist, and yoga teacher.

"The Rock Collector is a beautiful story infused with meaningful messages that we all need to be reminded about, whatever our age: empathy, relationality, humility and authenticity. These are the bedrock qualities for well-being. Margo has skilfully woven these themes together in a subtle and accessible way, complemented by the wonderful illustrations by Becky James"

Dr. Simon Whitesman
Medical psychotherapist, mindfulness-based teacher/trainer.

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