Friends:

I didn't want you all to hear just my own biased opinion about the book, so I'm enclosing the forward to my book volunteered by a wonderful woman named Heather Derigo. She's a school teacher and the mother of a wonderful little girl named Jamie, and I respect her very much. Enjoy!

Forward to Kokopelli and the Butterfly
By Heather L. Derigo
Beach Park School, Tampa, FL

Written 3/20/00

Kokopelli and the Butterfly is a powerful and beautifully written fairy tale that radiates a simple yet profound message throughout each and every page.

Love. Love yourself. Love others. Love the Earth and love all its inhabitants. This grand message of Love also brings with it the importance of respect for all life and our responsibility to the Earth and each other.

In a world full of violence and illusions, it is so important to have a story with this message that we as parents, teachers and all other lovers of children can read to young minds. Its message speaks of a deeper, more meaningful way of life.

More and more each day, the average family profile continues to reflect a steady, growing number of single parents and families where both parents work full-time. Children are left to occupy themselves more than ever. Endless hours of an overwhelming amount of inappropriate and negative television programming have depleted children's desire for reading. Violent computer games and videos have also enticed children to spend less time reading books.

The educational benefits of reading to our children are overwhelmingly obvious, however, the magical bonding that happens from reading to them proves to be invaluable, especially when the story supports a positive and holistic approach to life. Children have a natural hunger for this type of example to be shown to them, as in Kokopelli and the Butterfly.

Peace, hope and joy come together masterfully to create the character, Kokopelli. He is a man of strong conviction, yet gentle with his words. He is a man with hopes and dreams, confident and even intuitive. He demonstrates an endless amount of compassion for people, animals and the Earth and is resourceful and humble. Kokopelli also shows a deep passion for living life to the fullest. He is a refreshing example of one we can encourage children of all ages to look up to - one that embodies all the characteristics of a true, ideal hero of this new millenium.

Love. Love yourself. Love others. Love the Earth and love all its inhabitants.

If we as parents and teachers heed this message, children will follow and grow up to live it.

As a teacher and a mother, I am so grateful for this book. I applaud this creative story for the constant song of peace it sings and its ability to ignite sparks of wonder, awe and inspiration to young and adult minds alike.

Whether you are a child or an adult, Kokopelli & the Butterfly will capture your heart, lift your spirits and nourish your soul!