'Rainbow Bird' promotes message of friendship

Mom, why do I look so different from you and the other birds• I'd rather look like everyone else. All the other birds look at me funny and talk about me. I wish I weren't different.

Nugget's Mom gently replied, Well, Nugget, it is sometimes hard to be different from everyone else. And yet differences are what make us so interesting to one another.

Being different is something many children struggle with, and parents can find their children's lack of self-confidence and need for self-acceptance a challenge.

In "The Adventures of Bo the Cloud/The Rainbow Bird," a friendly cloud, a colorful bird and a few fine-feathered friends embark on an adventure that teaches children it's OK to be different, while reinforcing the value of friendships. A cassette tape with original music complements the story, designed for children ages 4-8.

The goal in this and future books, according to psychologist Pamela Horton, marketing director of Ligonier-based High Hope Publishing, is to promote a message of friendship. A former educator and school administrator, Horton strongly believes in the power of friendship in society as a healer to both children and adults.

"We had to come up with something that would make it stand out. Friendship is the theme that emerged," she said.

Bo the Cloud is the first to befriend Nugget, a multicolored Rainbow Bird who is unhappy with the way he looks, and on a quest to find another bird that looks like him.

Bo introduces Nugget to Joe Crow, a wise take-charge type, and Susie Swallow, known for her nest-building skills. Both assist Nugget in futile attempts to change his colors.

Nugget discovers his own self-worth at the conclusion of the book when he helps rescue a little boy lost in the woods.One side of the accompanying cassette includes the narrative with songs; songs comprise the other side. Authors Bruce and Marilyn Peterson, and Horton and her husband, Eugene Vasconi, are all musicians, performing on the tape. Bruce Peterson wrote the music.

Songs include, "We're Off to Find a Rainbow Bird," "Westward Ho," "The Mud Dance," "My Name is Bo" and "Lost in the Woods."Latrobe artist Peg Panasiti illustrated the book, a first for her. A watercolor artist who has been painting for 20 years, she is a member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, and the Greensburg and Latrobe art clubs.

Panasiti, who teachers computer-aided drafting at Triangle Tech in Greensburg, said she enjoyed the challenge of inventing the characters for the book.

"It was fun to do - a little harder than I had anticipated," Panasiti said. "It had to be reworked a couple times."Panasiti listened to the tape and read the dialogue, then designed the illustrations to suit the story. Touches like shoes on Nugget the Rainbow Bird, an apron on Nugget's mother, a hat on Joe Crow, and a tool belt on Susie Swallow give the birds personality and make the illustrations appealing to children. The watercolors used by Panasiti lend a soft edge to the characters.

What do kindergarteners and their teacher have to say about the book?

A test reading was conducted in Judy Mullen's morning kindergarten class at the Elizabeth-Forward School Districts's Greenock Elementary School in Elizabeth Township.

When questioned about the story, students readily identified the theme and recalled the characters by name.Several children gave a positive response to the music and reacted with giggles at one song in particular - "Take Care of Yourself."

And what did the teacher have to say?

Mullen noted the illustrations displayed the friendship theme well and overall, gave the book good marks for its positive message.

A third story is now under way, and Horton is hopeful the books will have a positive influence in children's lives."We have visions of it being a series dedicated to helping children learn about friendship in an entertaining and interesting way," Horton said. "We want to use it in different ways, with messages that are uplifting and have a good moral lesson. We think there's a way to change the world, one book at a time."

Mary Kirchhoff is a Greenock free-lance writer for the Tribune-Review.

Details

"The Adventures of Bo the Cloud/The Rainbow Bird," a 27-page book with accompanying cassette tape, is available at amazon.com and at Drummer Boy Books in Ligonier, for $9.95. An interactive CD is also available for $14.95. Another interactive CD, "Bo the Cloud/The Rainstorm," is also available for $14.95. Ten percent of the purchase price of every item is donated to the American Red Cross.

A Web site, www.bothecloud.com , includes tips for parents and teachers using the book and has links for children.

The book is published by High Hopes Publishing, a subsidiary of Communication Arts Multimedia Inc. For information, write to High Hopes Publishing, RR4 Box 22, Ligonier, PA 15658 or call 724-238-1281 or 888-742-0074.