Wonderfil CEO Co-Authors New Children's Book to Inspire Waste Reduction

Journey to Away book by Amelia Eichel and Sharona Shnayder. Ilustrations by Sydney Fort.

Content by Amelia Eichel

We throw things “away” every day—but where is away really? Most people don’t think about what happens to trash once it leaves their hands. Journey to Away is a children’s book sponsored by National Geographic to answer that question in an engaging and fun way. Through the eyes of a curious raccoon named Mel, readers embark on an adventure that reveals the hidden journey of waste, from overflowing dumpsters and landfills to polluted oceans and ships brimming with garbage.

In today’s world, where single-use items and fast consumption take center stage, Journey to Away helps children and adults alike understand the consequences of waste—and more importantly, what they can do about it. The story not only introduces young readers to the environmental challenges of trash but also empowers them with solutions, showing that small actions can make a big difference.

Journey to Away was co-authored by Sharona Shnayder, a 24-year-old environmental activist and founder of the global grassroots movement Tuesdays for Trash, and Amelia Eichel, a systems change leader and CEO of Wonderfil, a Santa Cruz-based company creating refill stations to reduce plastic waste. The book’s artwork was brought to life by Sydney Fort, a Portland-based illustrator inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and passionate about sustainability.

“This book is more than just an adventure story,” says co-author Amelia Eichel. “It’s a call to action. We want kids to think critically about where their trash goes and how they can be part of the solution. Education is the first step toward change, and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship in children can create a ripple effect of awareness and activism that lasts for generations.”

Designed for children but meaningful for all ages, Journey to Away is a tool for parents, educators, and young readers to start conversations about the consequences of waste pollution. The book makes complex environmental issues easy to understand, helping kids see how their daily choices—from what they throw away to how they reuse—shape the world around them. It encourages curiosity, responsibility, and real-world action for a more sustainable future.

To extend its impact and thanks to support from National Geographic, the Journey to Away team has developed a free, downloadable educational curriculum designed to accompany the book. This curriculum includes interactive activities, discussion guides, and hands-on projects that bring the book’s lessons to life in classrooms and homes. Educators can access these resources at www.journeytoaway.com/curriculum.

“We hope Journey to Away helps initiate important conversations about waste, sustainability, and responsibility,” added Shnayder. “By supporting this book, readers are joining a movement for a cleaner, healthier world.”

For more information, visit www.journeytoaway.com and follow us on social media @JourneyToAway. Please send any questions to journeytoaway@gmail.com.

The authors are also booking free Read Aloud sessions at schools and libraries starting in April. More details can be found on our website.

Contact:
Amelia Eichel
journeytoaway@gmail.com
510-846-5522