FARMINGTON — Bodhi Simpson, University of Maine at Farmington professor of counseling psychology with an emphasis in the creative arts, and author of the award-winning book “The Girl Who Cried for the Earth, A Story of Hope Healing & Possibilities” (2nd Tier Publishing) is presenting several Earth Day related events for community members and young people where they can hear the story and explore the original art work about a little girl who learned to face uncertainty and “see with the eyes of her heart.”
Simpson is holding a Family Wellness Day Saturday, April 19 from10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and an Earth Day Celebration event Tuesday, April 22 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the UMF Emery Community Arts Center. The events are free and open to the public. The original paintings from the book will be on display from April 19 to May 9.
In the April 19 Family Wellness event, Simpson will share the story of “The Girl Who Cried for the Earth” along with images of the original painted illustrations. Following the story, she will facilitate a brief guided meditation and supportive creative practice with drawing materials. There will be a brief discussion of how individuals can use their imagination and creative expression to help themselves, to impact the world around us and to facilitate positive change on our planet.
The April 22 Earth Day event will feature a book launch in the Emery Performance Space with Simpson who will speak about the message of the book. She will also facilitate a creative wellness practice in acknowledgment of people’s collective angst about what is happening on and to our planet, and an opportunity to express visions of hope, healing and possibility as we step forward.
Simpson’s beautifully illustrated and moving narrative, has been awarded a Words of the Earth 2025 Book of the Earth award for the Eco-fiction, Illustrated Storybook genre and has made the long list for the 2025 Green Earth Book Award in the category of “Picture Book Intermediate.”
“It is an honor to be able to share this story with the community. I wrote and illustrated the book as a response to my own overwhelming feelings about what is happening to our planet. The creative process helped me move forward into new possibilities of wellbeing that I hope will provide hope, healing and empowerment for others,” said Simpson.
Simpson, art therapist, author and illustrator, holds a doctorate in philosophy, is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maine, and a registered art therapist. She is an assistant professor at the University of Maine in Farmington in the Masters in Counseling Psychology Program with an Emphasis in the Creative Arts. She has 20 years of experience working with clients of all ages and educating clinicians across the state of Maine about the field of art therapy, as well as teaching tools and techniques for incorporating creative expression into clinical practice.
She has a small private practice in central Maine and is a local and international workshop presenter. Simpson is a co-creator of Expressive Wellness Workshops, Trainings, & Retreats and also Wisdom Journeys, LLC. She is a visionary artist and both the author and illustrator of “The Girl Who Cried for the Earth: A Story of Hope, Healing & Possibilities.”
The Emery Community Arts Center is located on Academy St. (between Main and High streets) in downtown Farmington. For more information contact Ann Bartges, director of the UMF Emery Community Arts Center at [email protected] or 207-778-7461.
