Student from Surrey designs new bookmobile

SURREY, ND (KMOT) – An astonishing reaction: that’s what seventh-grader Sophia Carlton from Surrey experienced after seeing her artwork on the Ward County Bookmobile.

The previous Bookmobile itself had not changed since 2011.

Now 12-year-old Sophia has the title of designer of the mobile library for years to come.

She said the inspiration came from a fantasy book series she read called “The Land of Stories.”

Sophia said she enjoyed reading the series so much that her grandmother bought her the entire set.

“I went to the Bookmobile every after school and was the last to come out. Everyone would say, ‘Come on!’ So I wanted to have a moment for myself and sign the Bookmobile,” said Sophia.

Sophia said it took her a few days to come up with the design and about a full day to actually draw it.

She used colored pencils, markers and watercolor.

She said there were some setbacks after she was chosen, such as her artwork being too grainy when it was expanded.

But Sophia said that didn’t let her down.

“My message to people is that if something happens, never give up because good things come from bad things,” Sophia said.

Ward County said Sophia’s was chosen from a handful of entries.

You can view the full schedule of the Bookmobile here.