Following in the legacy of teaching stories, Fables for Wisdom Seekers Young and Old invites parents, teachers, counselors, and other caring adults together with children ages 6-11 to explore ideas about building self-esteem and the challenges of being in a family, school, and community as well as being a citizen of the world.  Each fable is accompanied by a series of suggested talking points to support adults in deepening the story and moving it from the realm of fantasy to the everyday world of the child and reader.  These conversations join the natural instincts of children – their curiosity, intuitive knowing, zest for learning, open-hearted caring, innate wisdom and joy in playing – with the wisdom adults have gained through experience.  Together children and adults build a bridge to a future in which our ways of being reflect what is fair and just for all who share this planet.

author_bio: Barbara Meyers, MSW, is a clinical social worker with a private practice in New Hampshire.  She works with children, adolescents, adults, and families often drawing upon stories and their embedded lessons as teaching tools.  In 2006, she was named New Hampshire's Social Worker of the Year. Both teacher and learner, writing has been a life-long companion and has helped her to make sense of the world around her.  Her first book, Common Ground, Uncommon Gifts: Growing Peace and Harmony through Stories, Reflections, and Practices in the Natural World connects her travels in the wilderness and resulting learnings with the Native American Medicine Wheel.

keywords: self-esteem, bullying, fables, wisdom, teaching stories, parents, teachers, counselors, children 6-11, animals, family therapy, school counselors, conversations, humanness