Andrea Anderson

Amazon Author’s Page

Andrea is the author of the first children’s book about Silicon Valley "A Journey to Silicon Valley and Beyond".

She was looking for ways to share the fascination of Silicon Valley with her children and visitors. Her goal is to give an easy and comprehensive overview over the Valley whilst touching on educational aspects that become relevant in the age of modern technology. Many of her avenues of life come together in this book: Her background in education and psychology as well as her background in history and tourism.

This is her first published children’s book after a journey of writing and telling stories to children for many years. Previous publications were in the academic field of Montessori education and giftedness. She is also a published photographer.

What does Andrea love about a good children’s book? When the parents enjoy it too and when the whole family connects over reading and discussing the book. Reading is not a lonely endeavor, it opens up conversations and explorations. Andrea’s ideal is that her book “A Journey to Silicon Valley and Beyond” becomes your family’s go-to reference in the form of a coffee table book.

Andrea teaches social emotional learning to families and educators in communities in Silicon Valley. She uses children’s books to highlight concepts and tools that foster 21st century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication.

Andrea is trained as a coach in Logotherapy according to Victor Frankl which focuses on living a meaningful and purposeful life.

From a young age, Andrea has enjoyed meaningful quotes and wrote them down in her journals. You won’t find any of those in the book, but you will find new quotes in the book about Silicon Valley, success and mindset.

She organizes and facilitates parent education events in Silicon Valley with the focus on juggling the demands of modern lifestyle with the needs of children and youth. Amongst her goals are balance, happiness, passion, success.

Andrea grew up in Germany. During her studies she earned a one year scholarship to study in the US, where she met her British future husband Gordon, who happened to be on the same scholarship. They both returned to their countries until they got married several years later and lived happily ever after in London... until they decided to move to California's buzzing Silicon Valley. This is where the journey starts!

So how much of the story “A Journey to Silicon Valley and Beyond” is her real life?

1. First of all, Andrea and her husband have three children. For the story, it seemed more straight forward to limit it to two child characters. They are not specifically any of her children, even though they portray the characteristics that Andrea believes are signs of healthy and well developing children: Witty, curious, lovable.

2. The desire to explore Silicon Valley and bring across its fascination is also real. This is what their family faces when having visitors over. The desire to continuously explore your local area is also part of Andrea’s life. When living in London, she took it to the extreme of training as a city guide. The interest and attitude got carried over to Silicon Valley. Here, the experience that you can’t get into most fascinating places turned out to be a reality. It is probably the biggest difference to London where you could tour many significant landmarks.

3. The realization that the mindset matters most is real too. Silicon Valley is a global hub of excellence where people come together because they share a vision to make something new happen. The characteristics of the Silicon Valley mindset get explored in the book as well. These are very much in line with characteristics of success. Yet, it’s a difference to nurturing children for future success. Andrea feels strongly about distinguishing between what works for adults and what is right for the developing child.

Enjoy your "Journey to Silicon Valley and Beyond" where ever you are and where ever it takes you!

Andrea Anderson