Part of the fun of writing a story is finding that the story has a life of its own. After writing Squeek Goes Adventuring I found that this story has multiple levels reflective of everyman's life's journey. Here are my thoughts on the messages offered by this story. - Olga
LEVEL 1: On its most basic level, and the one that children will relate to, Squeek Goes Adventuring is a classic story of a young hero who ventures out into the world, encounters trouble, and manages to overcome those challenges. The story is told in a fun and engaging manner with surprising twists and turns. The adventures take place both in the home and outside the home, familiar areas all but revealing unexpected dangers. Of course, the story has a happy ending. This story also reassures the child that he has the love and support of his family and friends as he begins his journey towards adulthood.
LEVEL 2: Squeek's adventures are told through the medium of the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth. The four elements together are the four parts of a whole. A progression through the elements is not a circle but a spiral. In an elemental way, someone who has experienced and survived the four elements, is wiser at the end than in the beginning. As an added bonus, the book is color-coded into four sections, each color reflecting one of the elements.
LEVEL 3: Drawing on the Waldorf Education theory of child development, Squeek Goes Adventuring shows how the young child gradually matures. Initially, the child does not differentiate between himself and the world around him. He and the world are one and he enthusiastically embraces all that is around him. Through experiences he gradually starts to put some distance between himself and the world around him. He also learns that there is a greater world around him than just his immediate surroundings. He puts early childhood behind him as he realizes that he and the world are separate. It is a journey of self discovery that every child makes that takes him to about age 9. This progression is shown through Squeek's four adventures through the elements.
LEVEL 4: Stories can also reveal higher truths. In Squeek Goes Adventuring the four stages of development show the gradual incarnation of the child into the various parts of himself. In the first stage, he enters into his physical body just as Squeek enters into a warm toaster (fire). In the second stage, Squeek encounters the water element, which represents the fluid nature of his life body. In the third stage, Squeek enounters the awesome breadth of the senses (air). He learns not to let the emotional body overwhelm him through the medium of the bee, which carries the higher wisdom of the sun. In the fourth stage (earth), Squeek comes fully into himself (ego) as through thinking he takes charge of his own destiny.
LEVEL 5: I was pleased to also find Christian symbolism in this story. In the first stage, Squeek is on the toast, which could represent bread as "the body of Christ." Then he goes on to experience the "water of life," a reference to the Holy Spirit. Then, in the third adventure the bee as the creator of honey (sun as a metaphor for God) saves him. And in the fourth adventure being now blessed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Squeek outsmarts evil in the form of the snake.
Let Squeek Goes Adventuring speak to you. You may find other messages just waiting for you to discover them.
"This thoroughly entertaining tale of the curious and mischievous Squeek will not only hold a child's attention, but Squeek's experiences also provide a thoughtful life lesson to children and their parents." - Summer, parent of 3-year old
"Max loved it. He asked me to buy your other books, too. I told him I thought this was the only one you had published. He said only having one book out was really hurting your career. (Sheesh!) " Amanda, parent of 8-year old (AUTHOR'S NOTE - more books coming.)
"Caroline loved the story and we can't wait to read it again and for book #2!" Kelly, grandmother of 4-year old