If only Trump and Hegseth read books! Maybe they would understand the goal of the Defense Department is to prevent war, not fight wars. They’re way to smitten reading their own headlines to ever sit down and learn something from a book.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Virginia. These are deeply personal memories and experiences. I hope it resonates with others and helps spark important conversations about empathy, peace, and the resilience of children.
The song lyrics tell us, “ when will they ever learn,” and when will we? A famous campaign slogan of Woodrow Wilson in 1916, was “He kept us out of war.” The First World War shortly followed. The incomprehensible suffering and horror inflicted by warring nations seems quickly forgotten by those empowered to wage them. Only their victims, the ones who remain, carry the indelible scars and memories of those terrible swift swords. The League of Nations, then Unites Nations were founded to prevent these atrocities from happening again. Their continuance, only amplifies our collective amnesia about the consequences of hubris and hatred. Like racism and fascism they’re like conjoined twins , progeny of evil and its malicious malevolence. Love, peace and compassion has always been the answer. However, the world has too short a memory, and too great a stockpile of empty hearts. And weapons.
Thank you, Jean. Your heartfelt words touched me. It warms my heart to know that you'll share this book with your nine-year-old grandson. I wrote it with the hope of opening hearts to compassion and peace for all children, no matter their circumstances. Your support means the world to me!
This book sounds wonderful! I hope there isn’t anything in it that might make a student feel uncomfortable because it could be banned in Iowa schools if it does.
Thank you for your interest! The book is designed to be sensitive and focused on empathy, resilience, and compassion. I hope it sparks meaningful conversations while remaining suitable for all readers.
So brave of her to come forward. I drove a school bus while in undergrad at UI. One of the buses I drove was for special needs kiddos. We had a little boy on our bus from Bosnia who was Autistic, who we were told had witnessed some of his family members murdered. He would try to self harm on the bus and one of us would have to hold him and comfort him so he didn't shove his fingers into his nose to cause a bleed or scratch his face. I was only 20 at the time but remember thinking, "This is what war looks like." The most vulnerable children are especially affected. I often think of him. He would be in his 30's now. I hope he's okay.
Thank you for sharing such a powerful and compassionate memory. It’s heartbreaking to think of the trauma so many children endure due to war. Your kindness and care for that little boy reflect the incredible impact we can have on one another. I hope, too, that he’s found peace and healing. Stories like his are a reminder of the resilience of children and how we must continue to support and protect them.
If only Trump and Hegseth read books! Maybe they would understand the goal of the Defense Department is to prevent war, not fight wars. They’re way to smitten reading their own headlines to ever sit down and learn something from a book.
So true, Dave. And we're talking children's books here...
I hope my book sparks conversations about peace, freedom, and compassion.
Anesa has a lot of courage. Thank you for telling us about her book and her story, Rekha. Heart wrenching.
She does, Virginia. The pain goes deep but I think writing her story for children has a healing effect, and there's much we can all learn from it.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Virginia. These are deeply personal memories and experiences. I hope it resonates with others and helps spark important conversations about empathy, peace, and the resilience of children.
The song lyrics tell us, “ when will they ever learn,” and when will we? A famous campaign slogan of Woodrow Wilson in 1916, was “He kept us out of war.” The First World War shortly followed. The incomprehensible suffering and horror inflicted by warring nations seems quickly forgotten by those empowered to wage them. Only their victims, the ones who remain, carry the indelible scars and memories of those terrible swift swords. The League of Nations, then Unites Nations were founded to prevent these atrocities from happening again. Their continuance, only amplifies our collective amnesia about the consequences of hubris and hatred. Like racism and fascism they’re like conjoined twins , progeny of evil and its malicious malevolence. Love, peace and compassion has always been the answer. However, the world has too short a memory, and too great a stockpile of empty hearts. And weapons.
So well said.
The story brought tears to my eyes. I have a nine-year-old grandson that I plan to share this book with.
I have thought about the innocent children so many times.
Children just need to play and thrive -not live in fear for their lives in a situation that they did not choose and do not deserve.
I'm sure that'll mean a lot to Anesa, Jean.
Thank you, Jean. Your heartfelt words touched me. It warms my heart to know that you'll share this book with your nine-year-old grandson. I wrote it with the hope of opening hearts to compassion and peace for all children, no matter their circumstances. Your support means the world to me!
This book sounds wonderful! I hope there isn’t anything in it that might make a student feel uncomfortable because it could be banned in Iowa schools if it does.
Good point, John. Certainly nothing more discomforting than what we hear from the daily news…
Thank you for your interest! The book is designed to be sensitive and focused on empathy, resilience, and compassion. I hope it sparks meaningful conversations while remaining suitable for all readers.
So brave of her to come forward. I drove a school bus while in undergrad at UI. One of the buses I drove was for special needs kiddos. We had a little boy on our bus from Bosnia who was Autistic, who we were told had witnessed some of his family members murdered. He would try to self harm on the bus and one of us would have to hold him and comfort him so he didn't shove his fingers into his nose to cause a bleed or scratch his face. I was only 20 at the time but remember thinking, "This is what war looks like." The most vulnerable children are especially affected. I often think of him. He would be in his 30's now. I hope he's okay.
What a heartbreaking story. What a traumatic experience he survived. It says it all.
Thank you for sharing such a powerful and compassionate memory. It’s heartbreaking to think of the trauma so many children endure due to war. Your kindness and care for that little boy reflect the incredible impact we can have on one another. I hope, too, that he’s found peace and healing. Stories like his are a reminder of the resilience of children and how we must continue to support and protect them.