Through communication and problem-solving, she creates a more balanced environment in both houses. Lily’s home is overwhelmingly loud and her grandparents’ home is boringly quiet. It can just as easily relate to people with auditory processing difficulties, introverted children, and anyone who finds either continuous noise or long-term silence to be grating. While Too Quiet, Too Noisy was not specifically written for children on the Asperger spectrum, it has been favored by their families. She studies and emulates Sunny whose wholesome and fun personality eventually brings out the best in Rayne. Rayne is fascinated by the fact that they are constantly smiling even though they own very little. Rayne Shines humorously features a frog family that has developed a pattern of complaining, until a new family moves in next door. They’re never happy with what they have or what the experience. We all know a individual or family that constantly gripes. It is sure to encourage discussion on our treatment of the environment and relationships with others. Because of this, both grow to have a rich and fulfilling life. They have a relationship of give and take, mutual support. In my book, a girl grows in balance with a wild apple tree. At the end of the book, he still was unfulfilled and unhappy. The boy/man in The Giving Tree continually took from the tree without giving anything in return leaving it a devastated stump. While compassion is a major part of Buddhism, it only creates problems if it is not balanced by wisdom. My first book, The Amida Tree, is a rebuttal of Shel Silberstein’s The Giving Tree. I believe it is important to create picture books that help them develop interpersonal skills and internal strength.

I was a grade school teacher for 33 years, 10 of those years as teacher librarian. I keep this in mind in my writing for adults, young people and children. In Buddhism, there is a saying, “We make the world with our minds.” I could write an entire book on what that means but basically what we focus on influences the internal and external world in which we live. This includes being mindful and grateful. I believe a positive attitude is essential for happiness.

The Amida Tree by Bonnie Ferrante