One day a child confidently came up to me in the park, greeted me, and began talking. I made a mistake. I said, "Do I know you?" The child was indignant. "Of course you know me. You tell stories in my class." I have never repeated that mistake. When a child speaks to me, I ask about his teacher and school but I never betray that I don't remember him as well as he remembers me!

Once I have told a story to a child, he becomes an instant friend. Given the opportunity, this child will tell me about his or her hobbies, pets, favorite books and stories he or she plans to write. This is my opportunity to validate each child's value as a person! I find friends everywhere I go.