Olivia’s mother is currently the story book character with whom I can most identify. She takes her children to the beach, the museum, implements time out, and has the humanity to tell her daughter, “You really wear me out, but I love you anyway.” I can relate to her negotiating how many stories to read each night before bed; Olivia wants five books and her mother counteracts with the offer of one; they compromise on three. AnaLu, Ben and I read Olivia by Ian Falconer at least twice a week, and have done so for the past three years, which adds up to about 300 plus visits with these characters. It’s safe to say that we have spent a fair share of time together. Good times, good memories. Alan Alexander Milne had a brilliant understanding of the importance of characters to children, writing two books about a boy named Christopher Robin , after his son, and various characters inspired by his son's stuffed animals, most notably the bear named Winnie-the-Pooh . Connecting to s...
my ideas about learning and leading, contributing and questioning, my family and my work.