We’re incredibly excited to spotlight The Adventure Globe as our Book of the Month here at Happydesigner—an uplifting, globetrotting tale that blends magic, geography, and sibling teamwork into one beautifully illustrated children’s book.
This story marks the debut children’s book by Sarah Lorimer De Santi, a passionate traveller, mother, and storyteller who drew on her family’s real-life adventures for inspiration. Happydesigner’s own Sarah-Leigh Wills, a veteran children’s illustrator with over 20 years of experience, brought the story to life with bold, expressive, and heartwarming illustrations that capture the energy of every destination.
Together, they’ve created something truly special: a picture book that’s both educational and wildly imaginative, designed to ignite curiosity and wonder in young minds aged 6 to 10.
The Adventure Globe is the first book in a growing series—and Book 2, The Asia Escapade, is already available!
Key Takeaways
- The Adventure Globe is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that blends magical storytelling with real-world geography and emotional growth.
- The story follows three siblings—Sydney, Cairo, and Everest—on an unexpected journey across Africa after discovering a mysterious globe in their attic.
- Each destination, from Egypt to the Serengeti to Victoria Falls, offers unique lessons in teamwork, courage, and cultural understanding.
- Educational themes are woven throughout, introducing children to geography, wildlife, iconic landmarks, and positive values like empathy and resilience.
- Created by author Sarah Lorimer De Santi and illustrator Sarah-Leigh Wills, the book combines heartfelt storytelling with vibrant visuals to inspire curiosity in young readers aged 6 to 10.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is just the beginning. In The Adventure Globe, every destination unlocks new lessons in courage, curiosity, and teamwork.
The Story
The journey begins in an attic, where Sydney is quietly working on her geography homework. She stumbles upon an old globe—dusty, worn, and full of secrets. Her younger brothers, Cairo and Everest, are more interested in playing than studying, and when all three siblings touch the globe at the same time… something magical happens.
In an instant, they’re whisked away to another part of the world. Their first stop? The golden sands of Egypt, standing in awe before the Great Pyramid of Giza.
What follows is a thrilling journey across some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes as the three siblings are transported from one destination to another, each time finding themselves in a new place, facing new wonders—and challenges.
They must rely on each other—and the magical globe—to continue their journey and find their way back home. With each new location, the bond between them deepens, and their individual strengths begin to shine.
Destinations They Explore
Each chapter of The Adventure Globe takes readers to a different breathtaking location in Africa, filled with colour, culture, and the thrill of discovery.
Key Destinations
- Egypt – Marvel at the ancient Great Pyramid of Giza, where mystery and teamwork take centre stage.
- The Serengeti, Tanzania – Track the majestic Big Five wildlife, testing the children’s patience and observational skills.
- Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe – Witness one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, where the power of nature fuels their curiosity and courage.
Each location is more than a backdrop—it’s a character in the story, offering a unique lesson and emotional experience for the children.
Adventure, Emotion, and Education
More than just a magical trip around the globe, The Adventure Globe is a story that’s packed with heart. Each destination challenges the siblings in unique ways—encouraging bravery, problem-solving, communication, and empathy.
The book gently introduces world geography, iconic landmarks, and diverse ecosystems, all while reinforcing positive values like collaboration and open-mindedness. It’s educational, but in the best possible way—woven into the excitement of a great story.
Educational Takeaways
- Introduction to world geography
- Natural and cultural wonders of Africa
- Values like teamwork, courage, curiosity, and resilience
- Questions that spark learning:
Where is Egypt on the map? What animals live in the Serengeti? Who built the pyramids?
Characters That Connect with Young Readers
Children will instantly connect with Sydney, Cairo, and Everest—not just because they’re fun and adventurous, but because they feel real. They bicker, they joke, they face fears, and they learn. Each child brings a different personality to the trio:
- Sydney (age 9) – The oldest sibling, responsible and curious. She loves learning about new places and feels protective of her younger brothers—even if they drive her crazy.
- Cairo (age 7) – The playful middle child who looks up to his sister (even if he won’t admit it). He’s curious and a little impulsive, always ready for fun with Everest.
- Everest (age 4) – The fearless youngest sibling, full of energy and mischief. He loves to explore, play tricks, and charge into every adventure head-first.
Their personalities evolve as the story unfolds, and by the end of the journey, readers will feel like they’ve made three new friends.
Bringing the Magic to Life Through Illustration
One of the most rewarding parts of this project was watching the story transform visually. At Happydesigner, we believe that great stories deserve equally great illustrations—and Sarah-Leigh delivered just that.
Her artwork throughout The Adventure Globe does more than decorate; it drives the story forward. From sweeping desert dunes to cascading waterfalls, each page bursts with detail and motion, inviting young readers to immerse themselves in the action.
Sarah-Leigh’s illustrations reflect both emotional storytelling and educational clarity. Kids can follow the action even without reading the words, and parents will love pointing out new visual details with each re-read.
Meet the Team Behind the Book
Sarah Lorimer De Santi – Author
Sarah Lorimer De Santi is a professional photographer and full-time world traveller. Since 2018, she’s been exploring the globe with her husband and three kids—sharing their journey as The 5 World Explorers. Her storytelling is inspired by their real-life adventures, and this debut book brings that spirit of discovery to life for young readers everywhere.
She draws on personal experience to shape the characters, using real-life travel memories to spark each destination’s magic. We’re thrilled to have been part of her creative journey and can’t wait to see what she writes next.
The story was also inspired by a children’s book gifted to her youngest son while they were travelling. That one special book followed them around the world and sparked the idea for The Adventure Globe.
Sarah-Leigh Wills – Illustrator
As the founder of Happydesigner, Sarah-Leigh has helped hundreds of authors bring their stories to life. With a joyful, imaginative style and an instinct for capturing the heart of a scene, her work turns every book into a visual experience. Her illustrations in The Adventure Globe are some of her most dynamic yet.
Her attention to detail—paired with a strong understanding of what captivates young readers—makes this book visually irresistible.
Why This Book Matters
In a world full of fast-paced digital entertainment, The Adventure Globe invites children to slow down, explore, and wonder. It encourages questions, nurtures empathy, and gives kids a glimpse into the beauty of other cultures and environments.
It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t need to go far to learn something new—sometimes, all it takes is a spark of imagination, a bit of courage, and a story worth sharing.
A Perfect Book for…
- Curious kids aged 6–10
- Parents and teachers who love blending learning with imagination
- Young readers interested in geography, wildlife, and world culture
- Families who love travel—or dream of it!
- Classrooms exploring global studies, social-emotional learning, or literary storytelling.
Where to Get It
The Adventure Globe is available now in Kindle Edition on Amazon: Buy the Book Here
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a parent looking for your next bedtime adventure, a teacher searching for classroom inspiration, or a fellow author seeking ideas, The Adventure Globe is a reminder that the world is full of wonder—and that the best journeys are the ones we take together.
We’re incredibly proud to have collaborated with author Sarah Lorimer De Santi on her debut project. It’s a glowing example of what can happen when a great story meets the right creative team.
And if your readers are ready for more? The journey continues in Book 2: The Asia Escapade, where the siblings explore the wonders of Asia and face their biggest challenge yet—what happens when the globe stops working?
From all of us at Happydesigner, we hope this story inspires your next adventure—on the page or beyond.
Happy reading, happy exploring, and happy creating.
