BaBa-Balu Belongs, Too

Sonja Lange Wendt is an award-winning author and speaker of the Cultivating Compassion in Children books series. Her books address important and sometimes difficult topics with children on inclusion, acceptance, disabilities, bullying and aging. Serina and Seymour Seed kickoff and end each story. Seymour and Serina are the seeds of compassion children have, but sometimes they need planting and nurturing to cultivate the best in them. Through increasing awareness, understanding and discussion, these books teach that using compassion in different situations shows kindness in the greatest way in this sometimes difficult to navigate world. Sonja uses a variety of settings and characters from grandparents, little girl, little boy, and bugs to engage children in the stories. The settings all include nature and the outdoors. Each story ends with thought provoking questions to be asked by the adult and discussed with the child. These books are generally fitting for children ages 4-8 but as C.S. Lewis states, "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest." Her books are brilliantly illustrated with vivid colors and scenery.