Communicating things to children can be difficult, but stories make it a lot easier. I think there are a lot of traditional ways of thinking that cause confusion and mislead children's thoughts from an early age.
In 'The Little Orange Room', I tackled the idea of changing to make other people happy, sort of like the "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality.
In 'No One Stepped Exactly Here Before', I built upon that idea of total uniqueness by emphasizing that no one person has stepped in the exact same place as another. We, and our experiences in life, are all different.
In 'Sasha's Shoulder', I spotlighted the "forgotten ones"—the bullied and the ignored young people who are hurt and feel all but invisible. This theme is very close to my heart and I hope those who read this short book will learn about and emulate the care we all ought to have for one another.
Finally, I opted for some humor in 'Why Am I So Big?', which shows the everyday struggles of big people. But the theme, discovered to the reader at the end, is also a very important one that creates a platform for discussion about purpose in life.
I wanted to do more than just entertain young readers with goofy stories, instead taking an approach similar to Aesop's Fables, where a lesson is as much a part of the story as the characters.
You'll notice in each book the backgrounds are primarily blank, white. I wanted the focus to be on the characters and their experiences without distraction.
If you're reading this, you're a person—a 100% unique person. Let's all get serious about being there for and doing good for each other and teaching our young ones the same!
I'll leave you with these quotes from Mr. Rogers which I feel coincide with what I hope to communicate in my books:
"All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we're giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That's one of the things that connect us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver."
"It's really easy to fall into the trap of believing that what we do is more important than what we are. Of course, it's the opposite that's true: What we ultimately determine what we do!"
"Real strength has to do with helping others."
"Try your best to make goodness attractive. That's one of the toughest assignments you'll ever be given."
Scene from 'The Little Orange Room'
From 'No One Stepped Exactly Here Before'
Another from 'No One Stepped Exactly Here Before'
From 'Sasha's Shoulder'
From 'Why Am I So Big?'
Another from 'Why Am I So Big?'
