A Dandelion

The book, A Dandelion was inspired by Andrew Everstine’s  daughter Ashli, who was three years-old at the time. She said, “Tell me a story, Daddy.” “Okay…but you have to give me the title.” “A Dandelion,” she replied and a new creative universe commenced. Welcome to this edition of Newsgram.  Here we go again! If you’ve been […]

The post A Dandelion appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

The book, A Dandelion was inspired by Andrew Everstine’s  daughter Ashli, who was three years-old at the time.

She said, “Tell me a story, Daddy.”

“Okay…but you have to give me the title.”

“A Dandelion,” she replied and a new creative universe commenced.

Welcome to this edition of Newsgram. 

Here we go again! If you’ve been listening lately you might be noticing a theme. We’re trying to make the world a better place to live and we’re doing it one book at a time. Today we’re going to use the power of the Dandelion. 

Is it a weed or a flower? It has a beautiful yellow color and to be honest aren’t weeds just rapidly spreading plants that choose to take root in places where they’re not wanted? So couldn’t they be called wildflowers? According to GardenBetty.com it’s an herb with holistic medicinal value. And…yes, you can eat it or maybe sip it at tea time. 

Why all this talk of Dandelions? Because according to Andrew Everstine it’s also a great tool for teaching kids about racism – or should I say Flowerism? 

Andrew Everstine – Kindness, bravery and inclusion through flowers. Flowerism is a made up term. It’s a nicer term than racism and I figured if Dr. Seuss can make up a word than so can I for the common good. 

Of course you can. Andrew wrote a children’s book for his daughter Ashley called A Dandelion —  the subtitle is A Dandelion touches on the sensitive issue of Flowerism. 

Andrew Everstine – The main character is Sallie Budfield. She’s a dandelion full of hope and determination and there’s a party that’s going to take place and there’s a list that’s going to be posted in town hall within a couple of weeks. All the flowers are excited that hopefully their name is on the list so there’s a crowd outside town hall waiting to see the list and the doors open and everyone rushes down the hall and into the courtyard because they know exactly where the town lost is posted and some of them are so excited that their name is on the list that they nearly lose a bud or two jumping up and down but Sally bless her heart  just gracefully walks in after everyone and she walks out to the list and scans the list twice but to her dismay the name Sallie Budfield  is not on the list and then something catches her eye at the bottom and it says specifically “No Dandelions allowed” and she is just crushed. 

Oh No! I know it’s just a story but that is gut wrenching. You can just see the flowers jumping up and down with excitement which builds anticipation for poor Sallie and makes it soooo much sadder that she can’t go. Especially when you see her face. The cover of the book features a big beautiful picture of Sallie all bright and sunny with big eyes and a wide smile. You just get the feeling that this is not someone who you want to exclude — this is someone you need at your party. 

Andrew Everstine – Oh, just the way she looks. I wish I could paint a picture for you. It’s just so colorful and vibrant. I love it. 

And the timing could not be more perfect for this kind of story. Kindness is powerful.

Andrew Everstine – I’m telling you it has a good message. We need more kindness in the world, more than ever. 

You’ll love reading about the lengths that Sallie goes to try and be included without an invitation. Sneaking in by the catering truck. She even does her best to change her look, calling herself a Yankee Carnation instead of a Dandelion. 

Andrew Everstine – There weren’t only dandelions that weren’t allowed but there are also some other flowers that we’re allowed too because the flowers you see on page ten, they’re sad because they’re not invited but then the dandelions as well you know it kind of gets both of them. 

Yes, it’s a great lesson in kindness and inclusion and without giving too  much away something happens inside the party – there’s an explosion and Sallie get’s to show her true nature being the hero that she is. It’s a great reminder to be careful because the person that you put down today could be the one that saves your life tomorrow.

Get your copy of A Dandelion by Andrew Everstine today. It’s available online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Target and wherever you like to buy books. 

And that will do it for this edition of Newsgram from webtalkradio.com. 

Watch the interview with Andrew Everstine on the Talking Books Podcast with JT Crowley on Youtube or listen to the interview with Suzanne Harris on the Book on Air podcast. 

The post A Dandelion appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.