THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN: WILHEMINA'S STRONG WILL is about a three year old little girl who was born eleven weeks preterm, a "preemie." She was in the hospital over 200 days and had to fight to live. Her strong will and determination to thrive are still displayed today by her feisty personality in the Early Childhood classroom. When Wilhemina 'acts out' during circle time, the other children giggle and enjoy her funny antics. The teachers realize the need to help guide her behavior in a positive direction and yet allow her to feel free to talk, thereby diminishing her frustration from her language delay which enables her to learn. "Shape the spirit, not damage it" is the teachers' motto. The teachers secretly enjoy Wilhemina's spunk but also realize they have to gently show Wilhemina and the other children proper conduct in the classroom. Wilhemina's key to learning is her strong will to survive and to learn to take care of herself. Visit the Illustrator's website at www.creativeartsbycathy.com

THE KEY TO MY CHILDREN SERIES: HEATHER HEARD THAT is about a 3 year old girl who wears hearing aids. The school's Hearing Impaired Teacher also recommended Heather use an assistive listening device while in the preschool classroom. The device, or auditory trainer, required Miss Susan to wear a microphone close to her mouth while Heather clipped on a wireless receiver attached to her hearing aids. It allowed Heather to hear Miss Susan's voice over the surrounding noise. Miss Susan wanted to be sure Heather was comfortable her first day of school and not be self conscious about her hearing aids. She decided to make a fun game out of the auditory trainer Heather was wearing. The "fun" game turned into a "funny" game when Heather heard something not really intended for her to hear! Heather's key to learning is the auditory trainer which enables her to focus on the spoken language and to better her atttention and concentration.