Themes
Meanings and symbolism
Kindness
Kindness often goes unnoticed, but it’s a powerful force that can make a big difference. Surprising acts of kindness, especially, remind us of the goodness in others and inspire us to be kinder ourselves. Abigail faces her challenges with strength and courage, but it’s kindness—like the unexpected kindness she shows to Ivana in Book 1—that makes the biggest impact. It’s one of the many important lessons Abigail learns on her adventures in Sparkle Valley.
The Blue Flower
The "Blue Flower," an idea from Romantic thinkers, stands for passion and dreams, and is a guiding light throughout the series. Abigail represents the Blue Flower, inspiring Emily to find her own special “inner spark” as she grows up. Abigail’s love for Emily guides her choices, helping her stay true to herself even when faced with big challenges.
Home
Home is a vital theme in the series, symbolizing comfort and refuge for Emily. Through Abigail and her toys, Emily creates her own world, finding solace in the Magic Garden. As Emily wrestles with her yearning for home, she embarks on adventures into the unknown. However, upon her return, Emily finds that the home of her childhood has changed profoundly—she has grown up.
Friendship
Friendship is a big theme that shows how important support is among friends. Abigail, Gloria, and Reggie accept each other just as they are, quirks and all. When someone makes a mistake, they forgive each other and move forward. But most importantly, they have fun together—going on adventures and sharing their love for Sparkle Valley.
Thin Places
Thin places are special spots that have a thin barrier between our world and the invisible one, creating a link between them. For Emily, the Magic Garden is her “thin place,” a doorway to her imagination—Sparkle Valley. It’s more than just a fun escape, however, it’s a place of transformation - a magical place where Emily faces the challenges of growing up and can explore who she really is.
Identity
Discovering who you really are can be a tricky journey. It can bring feelings of confusion and not knowing where you belong. Abigail experiences this in Book 1, and it turns her world upside down. Her feelings are a lot like what Emily goes through as she grows up. But by Book 3, Abigail’s journey comes to an end, and she’s changed forever when Emily decides to grow up.