Charlie's Treasures by Richard Neumann

Illustrated by Dian de Wolf. 36 p., Stone In the Surf Press, 2003.

Charlie proudly shows his collection of marbles to an old man who listens carefully with empathy and appreciation. Charlie tells the story of each marble and explains why each is special. Like friends - and like parts of oneself - Charlie's treasures embody attributes such as endurance, toughness, happy energy, introspection and thought, creativity, and individuality. This story may encourage children to value their own uniqueness and treasure their connections.

Ages: 8-10
Cultural Context: European American