| Reading good family books is a vital part of every | | | | prevents abuse. Parents help build a positive family |
| child's development. From early childhood through | | | | environment using hope-filled stories where girls make |
| teen years, stories shape the world and belief | | | | a significant difference for good. When girls are |
| systems of girls and boys. Did you ever stop to think | | | | treasured, their self-worth increases. Their place in |
| how those stories might be affecting pre-teen girls? | | | | family and society is respected and honored. |
| April is Prevent Child Abuse Month. Child abuse is the | | | | How can parents create a positive influence on |
| direct result of a lack of respect for the dignity and | | | | pre-teen children? Finding and reading meaningful |
| potential of children. Nearly 80% of child abuse is | | | | adventure stories that value the contribution of girls |
| caused by family members. But it does not end | | | | and women is important. Books that offer a |
| there. Children are verbally and emotionally challenged | | | | hope-filled alternative for pre-teen girls and boys. For |
| at school. According to Prevent Child Abuse America, | | | | example, The Rainbow Chronicles: A Bedtime Story |
| nearly 160,000 children stay home every day | | | | for a New Day relates the story of Wilby, an eleven |
| because of bullying. | | | | year old girl with a spiritual mission. She must find and |
| Pre-teens are at special risk. In the United States | | | | return the Rainbow's End stolen from her land and |
| alone, there are more than 11,000,000 girls between | | | | restore its fortune. |
| the ages 9 through 13. Girls face a special challenge. | | | | As she journeys through Neer'stazone, Wilby |
| When girls are devalued through emotional abuse, | | | | uncovers a world of uniformity that dominates the |
| they can develop a lifelong pattern of depression, | | | | imagination and thinking of its people. Flowers are |
| estrangement, anxiety, low self-esteem, inappropriate | | | | manipulated. The color purple is banned. Wilby |
| or troubled relationships. They may have problems in | | | | encounters men and women, boys and girls. Her |
| trusting others and pass that mistrust along to their | | | | courage and presence are more than a breath of |
| own children. Women are relationship experts, much | | | | fresh air -- life-transforming events occur for people, |
| more so then men. So if a mother or grandmother | | | | families and the people of Eregon and Neer'stazone. |
| has a problem relating to others, what about her | | | | Her self-determination results in a surprise ending of |
| children? | | | | unexpected reversal. Enemies are forgiven, the land is |
| So what contributes to the overall devaluing of girls? | | | | reconciled and its people are reunited in good will. |
| A significant factor is the stories that build negative | | | | Hope prevails over ignorance. Children like Wilby and |
| thoughts and beliefs about the value of girls. Pre-teen | | | | her friends serve as peer role models that make life |
| books about male-power domination contribute to | | | | better for everyone. |
| bullying, verbal and emotional abuse of girls. Violent | | | | 2007 is a year of hope. The girls of today become |
| stories cast boys as warriors and girls as victims. This | | | | the mothers, business and civic leaders of tomorrow. |
| enactment abuses the potential of children and | | | | To break the cycle of violence and improve lives of |
| confuses their reality. | | | | pre-teen girls and boys, telling quality bedtime stories |
| Well-being makes the difference. According to | | | | is critical. Family books with positive messages like |
| Prevent Child Abuse America, well-being involves | | | | The Rainbow Chronicles provide hope and optimism |
| everyone at personal, family and community levels. | | | | to woman and pre-teen readers. |
| Personal well-being includes hope and optimism that | | | | |