One of the most important choices\u00a0I\u00a0make\u00a0as a writer\u00a0is how to approach\u00a0and develop\u00a0a topic or story\u00a0idea. Most often,\u00a0I find there\u00a0are many\u00a0directions I could go\u00a0and it may take\u00a0multipledrafts to determine the best fit.\u00a0Whether I\u2019m writing fiction or nonfiction I\u2019m always looking for the hook \u2013 that universal emotion or experience that connects with\u00a0the\u00a0reader.\u00a0But before I can connect with\u00a0the\u00a0reader, I have to connect with myself.<\/p>\n
A few years ago I\u00a0began writing\u00a0a picture book\u00a0on a topic\u00a0dear to my heart,\u00a0but\u00a0something about it just wasn\u2019t working.\u00a0The information was all there, but the emotional element was missing. If I wasn\u2019t connecting with the text, then surely\u00a0a child reader wouldn\u2019t connect with it either.\u00a0My topic was\u00a0tikkun olam, a Jewish concept commonly translated as \u201crepair the world\u201d or \u201cmake right.\u201d While there are many different interpretations of its exact definition, they share the belief that we each have a responsibility to make the world a better place.But the\u00a0idea of\u00a0repairing the\u00a0world sounds\u00a0like an\u00a0impossibly lofty goal, especially for a child.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sometimes, inspiration pops up when I least expect it, and often from\u00a0a\u00a0surprising\u00a0source.\u00a0(Confession, this is how I justify social media \u201cprocrasti-scrolling!\u201d) I\u00a0came across a video interview with John Mayer, sharing his thoughts on songwriting:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I\u00a0try to\u00a0write a big song, I can\u2019t. A song to fill the entire galaxy. But if I write a song about something the size of a glass of water, I notice later it\u2019s got the universe in it. So I\u2019d rather have the universe in a glass of water than try to make the glass of water fit in the universe.\u201d<\/p>\n
I realized\u00a0that\u00a0in\u00a0writing\u00a0a book\u00a0about repairing the entire world, I\u2019d been trying to fill a galaxy.\u00a0Instead, I needed to zoom in\u00a0and make it personal.\u00a0As individuals,\u00a0we\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0change\u00a0the world\u00a0on our own;\u00a0but\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0take small actions\u00a0that\u00a0together,\u00a0make a difference.\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0found my glass of water and it did, indeed, contain the universe.<\/p>\n
ONE SMALL SPARK: A TIKKUN OLAM STORY focuses on a single moment in time, when we see something that needs repair or someone who needs help. Because in that moment, we make a choice about the kind of person we want to be and the kind of world we want to live in.\u00a0Children don\u2019t have control in many areas of their lives, but they do have agency over how they respond to\u00a0situations, like when\u00a0a friend or classmate\u00a0is in need. By zooming in from the galaxy to a glass of water,\u00a0I\u2019d found a way to\u00a0make\u00a0a\u00a0connection that\u2019s both emotional\u00a0and empowering.<\/p>\n
\u201cA spark that lights your heart<\/em><\/p>\n becomes an idea,<\/em><\/p>\n and then,<\/em><\/p>\n action.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n While the concept of tikkun olam is presented through a Jewish lens, the values modeled aren\u2019t unique to Judaism. Many faiths and cultures share these teachings and traditions of compassion, charity, social justice and community service.\u00a0We find many ways to divide ourselves. But despite our differences, practicing tikkun olam highlights our shared humanity\u00a0\u2013 another important point of connection.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all on one team,<\/em><\/p>\n each a string.<\/em><\/p>\n Like a rope made of strands,<\/em><\/p>\n holding hands.<\/em><\/p>\n Woven.<\/em><\/p>\n Connected.<\/em><\/p>\n Stronger.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I hope\u00a0ONE SMALL SPARK:\u00a0A TIKKUN OLAM STORY inspires\u00a0conversations both at home and in the classroom.\u00a0Brainstorming ways to address problems in the community or environment requires problem-solving, teamwork and even leadership skills.\u00a0But here I am, back in the galaxy.<\/p>\n On the \u201cglass of water\u201d level, thinking about how to help others requires\u00a0stepping into their shoes,\u00a0which builds compassion and empathy.\u00a0Ultimately, each of us has the power to make a choice about the kind of person we want to be.<\/p>\n \u201cImagine everyone\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n gathering sparks,\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n opening their hearts,<\/em><\/p>\n and repairing our world<\/em><\/p>\n together.<\/em><\/p>\n And then, the world will be different.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Ruth Spiro is the author of more than 30 children\u2019s books, with over one million copies in print worldwide. Her bestselling\u00a0Baby Loves Science\u00a0board books are the groundbreaking originals that introduce\u00a0big ideas to the littlest listeners in an age-appropriate and engaging style.<\/p>\n In addition to these board books, Ruth is the author of picture books including\u00a0Made by Maxine,\u00a0Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever,\u00a0and\u00a0Love Grows.\u00a0The enthusiastic response to the\u00a0Baby Loves\u00a0Science\u00a0books inspired a new picture book series perfect for early elementary readers,\u00a0How to Explain Science to a Grown-Up. Her new picture book,\u00a0One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story\u00a0received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.<\/p>\n