Hi friend,

Over the last two evenings, I read two wonderful children’s books to my kids: Pickle the Pig and Lou Lou's Pet Dragon Goes to School, both written by Brenden Bott and published by Arete Books. Sitting in their bedroom with the kids tucked in beside me, smiling at Lou Lou's classroom experience and Pickle the Pig’s adventure, I found myself reflecting on storytelling.

"Let me tell you a story" takes us on a journey. But what kind of a journey?

Imagine you know something to be true, deeply true, and it shapes the way you care for your family, make decisions, or move through the world. Yet someone close to you does not believe you. Or does not understand your experience. Or cannot quite see why you are approaching things the way you are.

What would you do?

Most of us explain harder, try to bring more evidence, or find new ways to justify. Sometimes that helps. But more often, people do not change their minds because of additional information. They change because of a story. A story opens a door. It allows someone to step inside your world, even briefly, and feel what you feel.

That is why reading Brenden Bott’s books meant more to me than just bedtime entertainment. Stories help our children understand courage, kindness, curiosity, and difference long before they encounter real pressures. And stories help the adults in our lives understand us too. When we tell the real stories of what shaped us, what we have lived, and why we make the choices we do, something softens. Something connects. Something that was locked opens.

So here is this week’s encouragement:

1. Read stories that spark imagination and help you see yourself and others more clearly.
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2. Tell the true stories from your own life to the people you love.
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3. Join us for the telling of true stories about Toronto by attending an upcoming #ExperienceTO free tour.

The next #ExperienceTO historical tour is the Sunnyside walk on Saturday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. You can learn more here.

Thank you for being part of this community of people who learn, reflect, and grow together every week.

Until next time,
Alex Rășcanu
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P.S. If you end up reading one of Brenden Bott's books to a child in your life, I’d love to hear your main take-away.

P.P.S. We can stay in touch via the monthly #ExperienceTO historical tours.