Listening to the Mukies and Their Character Building Adventures - Softcover

With major emphasis on character building in our schools today, and especially in light of wars and turmoil throughout the world, the Mukies show us how each individual can contribute to a peaceful society and make a difference. This primitive society of Mukies provides lessons that are relevant to today's youth.

Their encounters help teach such values and character building traits as mutual respect, cooperation, wisdom, love and caring, responsibility, nondiscrimination, peaceful co-existence and many other skills children need to develop. There is a philosophical tone to the stories. Each is meant to teach in a subtle, interesting way.

These stories also enhance listening and communication skills. Questions throughout each chapter, as well as questions and activities at the end, are designed to stimulate discussion and improve listening skills. The interaction of reader and listener is as important as the messages presented through the Mukie adventures.

The clever Mukie illustrations are drawn by artist Michele Veasey. The illustrations are presented in black and white for the express reason that the author wants children to use their imagination in visualizing the actions of the Mukies. He wanted to rely less on images and more on the messages the characters teach. The author states, "the emphasis is on the message, and you create the images in your own mind."

Mukie character figures such as seen on the front cover will soon be available on key chains. They can be used on children's back packs as "BackPack Buddies" or other uses.

One of the primary goals of this book is to promote discussion between parents and their children. The parents should take the responsibility of helping their children develop good moral character. With the books, they have an opportunity to discuss issues from the book such as cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect with their children. The idea is that you read together, you listen to each other, and you interact with problem solving. These character figures, the Mukies, help to reinforce character building. They are optimistic, wise and compassionate characters who work to live in peace, harmony and balance with each other. They were brought to life by one of my former students, Michele Sherlock Veasey.