THE SAMMI PROJECT
Some questions are too important to wait until you're grown up.
The Sammi Project is a picture book for young readers — and the adults who love them. It asks, gently and honestly, how we decide what things are worth.
A PEEK INSIDE
See what Sammi sees.
Story Time
Hear the story come alive
Settle in. The Sammi Project read aloud — with all the questions, pauses, and wonder the story deserves.
WHY WE WROTE IT
I wrote this book because children deserve to be let in on one of the biggest stories of our time
Not a fairy tale. The real one — the story that quietly shapes so much of how we live: what we think success looks like, what we believe things are worth, why some people have so much and others have so little, and why these questions can feel rude to talk about.
Luke’s dilemma in this book is a small, tender version of something children encounter all the time: the pressure to measure what matters in the language of money. What I wanted to write was a story that gives children — and the adults reading alongside them — a moment to pause. To ask: wait, is that the only way to see this?
FOR PARENTS
A book that opens conversations, not prescribes answers.
The Sammi Project does not tell children what to think. It gives them a story that makes it safe to think — about fairness, about value, about what really matters — in the company of someone they trust.
What this book opens up:
- Questions children already have — but rarely get to ask out loud
- Conversations between children and the adults who love them
- A sense that their instincts about fairness matter — and are worth trusting
For Schools & Educators
The Sammi Project in the classroom.
The Sammi Project was written with the classroom in mind.
It introduces the ideas of Critical Economic Literacy at a young age — not as a lesson, but as a story that makes space for children to bring what they already know. About fairness. About what they love. About the gap between what they’re told things are worth and what they know, in their bones, actually matters.
A free educator’s discussion guide is available — connecting the story to classroom conversations about economics, values, and what it means to make choices in a world shaped by money.
Suitable for:
- Early Years / Primary / Lower Secondary
- IB PYP and MYP
- Cross-curricular: Social Studies, Ethics, Language Arts, Economics
The People Behind the Book
Made with care. Across continents.
The Sammi Project was born from a conversation between two people who had never met in person — and immediately recognised each other.
Dr. Catherine Ho
Author · Economist, Educator, Researcher
About
I’m Dr. Catherine Ho, a Singaporean based in Beijing. One question that bothers me is this: why are we so smart as a human species and yet also the one species destroying our only home?. My answer (so far) is that we have been blinded by the stories of money in the world. The Sammi Project is my attempt to explore this with you (and the adults who care about you and your future).
Why I made this book
I wrote this book because I believe you deserve to be let in on one of the biggest stories of our time. Not a fairy tale. The real one — the story that quietly shapes so much of how we live, what we think success looks like, and why the world is so unequal where some have so much and others too little. You are good at questioning this. You haven’t yet been fully convinced that the world has to work this way. This book is for you.
This book took 3 years with a lot of starts and stops. I am so grateful for Marta who joined in on this adventure in the past year and using her craft to turn ideas into a physical book! There were so many iterations and edits as we talked and explored ways to create Sammi Project togther. It has truly been a rewarding experience. We hope you find it meaningful and this story will help you see the world differently, learning to trust your own instincts and inner voice.
Marta Vilella
Illustrator · Collage Artist
About
I’m Marta Vilella, a collage artist and illustrator based in Spain. I often say that my work is about transforming ideas, emotions, and concepts into images that tell stories 🙂 I work on editorial and cultural projects. I also lead collage and creativity workshops for people of all ages. These spaces are much more than art classes, they are a way to connect with others, encourage self-expression, and help people rediscover their creative side through play and intuition.
Why I made this book
Since the first day I met Dr. Ho, I felt an instant match. We connected through conversations about ourselves, our values, and the way we see the world — even though thousands of kilometres and different cultures separated us. Some things go beyond distance, age, language, or borders. I believe that’s also what The Sammi Project represents. It is more than what meets the eye. It is more than just a story. It is an open door to explore ourselves and our values in a world ruled by productivity and money. Whenever you feel lost in the speed and superficiality of the world, remember that you always have a place to return to and you are not alone.
Photo gallery
Be among the first
The gallery is just getting started. Share your advice for Luke and Sammi — and see what other young people are saying from around the world.
Yuki
- Japan
Amara
- Nigeria
Sofia
- United Kingdom
Share your sammi moment
We would love to see the conversations The Sammi Project has started among young readers around the world. Share a photo and a thought — and you might appear in our growing gallery.
How it works:
- Take a photo of your advice you are giving to Sammi and Luke
- Write a short message about your ending
- Fill in only first name and country
- A parent or trusted adult submits — and confirms consent for the photo to appear on our website
- We review all submissions before they appear in the gallery