As a child, my mom, dad and older sisters would read me stories. The importance of Education was a big part of my upbringing and reading was one of the many components encouraged. My dad signed me up for a book club and I would get a new book every month. I remember the anticipation and joy with each new book arrival and couldn’t wait until someone read it to me. Listening to the words with a pointing finger, I would follow along, looking as I heard the words spoken aloud. The illustrations were my other favorite part of reading, and I relished for hours in their whimsy. One story in particular was my favorite and it still sticks in my mind ‘til this day. It is a story called, “How Joe the Bear and Sam the Mouse Got Together” by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers and illustrated by Brinton Turkle. I’m not even sure how popular it was at the time, but for me, the message meant a lot and I had it read to me over and over until I could read it for myself. Then I read it over and over.

The story is about two unlikely characters who find they have very little in common, until at last they find a common thread they both can share and enjoy. I love that! I believe it’s true for us all—that common thread we all can share, despite our differences. I mean, it’s ok to like different things right? But for me, all the more sweet to connect in the most unlikely ways. That, my friends, is one of the elixirs that make life so interesting and intriguing. For me anyway.

“The point is, exposing children to positive problem solving is indeed more condusive to healthy choices and behaviors.”

My husband, the curious ying to my yang, also has a favorite childhood story—The Crows of Pearlblossom by Aldous Huxley, this version illustrated by Audrey Watson. This story is about a crow couple who’s eggs are repeatedly eaten by a snake until a trap is set, rendering the snake as a useful clothes line for the crow children’s diapers.

Now, upon reading this story for the first time my reaction was...Good grief! What kind of children’s story is that? I was truly shocked. Mr. Huxley went on to write many notable works and some light research revealed he wrote ‘The Crows’ in the 40’s and died a few years before it was published in the 60’s. Information eludes to his niece behind it’s publishing as well as other versions. Though he wrote this story for her as a Christmas present, I wonder if he ever wanted it published? But I digress.

The point is, exposing children to positive problem solving is indeed more conducive to healthy choices and behaviors. I can not overlay that sentiment on my husband’s childhood favorite lol. Quite the opposite. In fact, I found the lesson to be cruel and malicious. Yes, the snake ate many of the crows eggs, however, after the first time, did it not occur to the crows to move their nest out of harms way? After all, a snake will be a snake will it not? As for the crows, well... a little thick if you really want to know how I feel. I mean, why would they allow the snake to eat 297 of their eggs? For years my husband was so proud of this story and it’s outcome until I asked, about the nest relocation not to mention the slaughter of countless children. His blank look revealed that this option never occurred to him. And then it dawned on me, “This need, to inject positive problem solving, among other things, is real!” I believe this revelation was my spring board to authorship for children.

As for my favorite story about the bear and the mouse, I look forward to finding, connecting and enjoying the positive common thread we all share.

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