My Story Friend

There is the person who tells the story. This is the storyteller. And there is the person who listens to the story. This is the story friend.
 
As a child treks across the land in search of someone to tell his sad story to, he meets a gruff mountain man who can’t stand unhappy stories, a too busy to be bothered farmer, and finally, the old woman who tells stories herself, who is willing to  listen. The act of telling the story leads the child to look at the other side and make what was dark lighter and full of hope and positivity.

The true potency of needing to express one’s unhappiness and the power of having someone else listen and help is a strong message for young readers. Like a favorite teacher or mentor, they may not be around forever, just for a short but meaningful time.
 

Kalli Dakos is a children’s poet and educator. She visits schools across the United States and Canada to encourage children and teachers to write about their own lives. She has written many collections of school poems that include six ILA/CBC Children’s Choice selections, such as If You’re Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, and has an office in Ogdensburg, NY. Visit kallidakos.com.

Dream Chen received her BFA in animation at Communication University of China and her MFA in visual art at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She is from China. Visit dreamchen.org, and on Facebook and Instagram @dreamchenillustration and Twitter @dream77225656.