"Sometimes when you're different you just need a different song."
Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, U.S. Army Europe commanding general, echoed the wisdom shared by the cricket in the book, "Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae.
"The number one lesson we learned is that no matter what other people say about you, you can always do better than they think. If you trust yourself, right inside of you you've got the strength to do things," Hodges said, after reading the book to 89 children and 75 adults who had gathered at Hainerberg Elementary School April 19.
Hodges' reading was the main feature of Tell Me A Story, a bi-annual event organized by Parent to Parent Wiesbaden to promote literacy through reading, discussions, and crafts.
After the reading, families divided into different groups for facilitated discussions led by volunteers. This gave attendees the opportunity to express their own ideas about the story and how books can inspire us.
"After hearing the story, I want to be like the cricket and help others," said Roque Palacios, a fifth-grader.
Parents appreciated that military children can identify with the giraffe in the story.
"The giraffe was the new guy, just like military children often are and they have to learn how to adapt," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lester.
Joni Ramsey pointed out that the story reflects the difficulties that military children face.
"We were talking in our group about being the new kid after you've moved somewhere. It's important that military children learn how to handle being in new situations, being themselves and appreciate their own differences," Ramsey said.
Each family received a free copy of the book and had the opportunity to get it signed by Hodges. The Wiesbaden Community Spouses Club donated money to purchase the books and the crafts. Families also created a variety of crafts that related to themes in the featured book.
"I really liked making the jungle animal masks because they are cool and they go with the story," said Alina Jackson, a fourth-grader.
Wiesbaden High School JROTC cadets were on hand to help with setup, registration, crafts, scribing and cleanup.
"I volunteered for TMAS because it's a lot of fun. I enjoy working with the JROTC kids and the Parent to Parent team. It's great to give back to the community and do crafts connected to books," said Katie Kilgore, a 10th-grader.
The Military Child Education Coalition launched TMAS in 2005 to empower military children to use literature and their own stories to build resiliency skills, to forge strong peer and parent connections, to instill a sense of pride and accomplishment, and to become an active part in a caring community.
"Both of my boys like to read, and it's fun for them to come here, meet other kids and get to know a different story," said Spc. Chase Sutfin.
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