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THE UNLIKEABLE CHARACTER

Jun 16, 2026

“Make your main character likeable. Even if they are unlikeable, show something likeable about them.” This is common advice for writing a story with an unappealing protagonist. By showing the...

RESTRAINT BECOMES UNBRIDLED JOY

May 11, 2026

Imagine that your every action must be perfect. It’s paralyzing! I observed a third-grade teacher leading her class in discussing “Sam,” the main character of a book they were reading. The teacher...

WHEN “HOLDING ON” HOLDS YOU BACK

Apr 19, 2026

When events are spinning out of control, when loss is unbearable, we strive to steady ourselves. Cling to a lifeline. Find firm ground and plant our feet. Ideally, we find...

KNOW-HOW

Mar 19, 2026

It’s amazing what kids can do. Take, for example, this story of a young woman named Victoria who turns discarded, unwanted clothing into lovely, lively, fashionable pieces that are sold...

FROM CODDLED TO COMPETENT

Feb 5, 2026

Picture the shining eyes of a child celebrating another milestone. “I can do it, all by myself!” What of a pampered child who never needs to lift a finger? Does...

WHAT SHALL WE CELEBRATE?

Dec 15, 2025

Every day, we grown-ups are inundated with messages urging us to mistrust, exclude, and expel certain people. How do we “grow up” to this? Children do not find these attitudes modeled...

I SEE MYSELF IN YOU

Sep 9, 2025

A friend of mine, a fellow writer, laments that picture books are considered little children’s books. Great picture books offer wisdom for humans of all ages. Consider the two books we’re...

Debra Collins

Children who are easily overwhelmed have narrow comfort zones. It is far too easy for everyday situations to trigger self-protective “fight or flight” reactions, whereby the autonomic nervous system equips...

WARMLY WELCOMING EVERY ONE

May 6, 2025

This month’s book highlights and nurtures social-emotional capacities of Social Awareness and Relationship Skills through metaphor, rather than a character-driven plot.

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