The Worry Stone by Marianna Dengler

Illustrated by Sybil Graber Gerig. 40 p., Rising Moon, 1996.

As this story begins, Amanda is an elderly woman, sitting on a bench at the park and recalling her childhood. She remembers her grandfather, and especially his stories. One of his special stories is about the origin of worry stones, which the author describes in a foreword as not an authentic Chumash tale, but one which she hopes is consistent with the spirit of the Chumash people. In Grandfather's story, worry stones are the tears of Tokatu, a woman whose husband has died immediately after their marriage. Death is described as being taken away by the Wind of Time. Grandfather says that whoever finds a worry stone will be comforted, no matter what troubles they have. The worry stone helps Amanda resolve her grief when Grandfather dies. The story returns to the park, where a sad-looking boy sits on the bench with Amanda. She gives him the worry stone, and begins to share Grandfather's stories with him, healing both the boy and herself. Children will understand that sharing treasures can forge connections that ease loneliness.

Ages 6-10
Main character's cultural background: European American
Cultural context: multicultural