The power of words

Words are powerful. They are a way to communicate, to share, to express, to request. When toddlers point at a desired item, they often hear “use your words.” They learn from an early age that words give them power to express what they want and need.

I read something recently that suggested that children who are read to may associate books and words with feelings of love. They hear loved ones read to them. They see the books that are being read. Words and books are tied to feelings of connection to others which may be why our favorite children’s books hold such strong feelings.

Growing up, I don’t remember anyone telling me words were powerful, but it was something I just understood. Perhaps from so much reading and listening to books being read to me, I knew words could make a difference because I got so much out of the books I read. I turned to words to visit beloved characters, but I also turned to my own words.

I wrote stories. I kept journals. I wrote letters. I wrote notes. I wrote down powerful words from books so I would remember them. I liked big words. I liked words that sounded funny. I became interested in all ways of communicating. I remember desperately wanting to learn braille and my mom finding a place in California where she was able to get me instructions to learn.

So when I was unhappy about something, I realized I could write and express my thoughts. I wrote to Lego as a child. I wanted to see more playsets in addition to the space ones that were popular at the time. I offered them ideas in exchange for legos. They didn’t take me up on the offer, but it didn’t deter me. When I used my own money to buy a bag of chips to share with a friend and found they didn’t have the seasoning on them they were supposed to, I wasn’t going to settle. So at 11, I wrote to the company and expressed my disappointment and they listened. They actually wrote back and apologized and gave me a coupon for a new bag of chips (and that one was properly seasoned).

While unseasoned chips aren’t exactly the end of the world, it was a big deal to me, and being heard and receiving a response showed me that my words had power. I love words. I love that the words that I use in ordinary conversation are the same ones Is find inside incredible books strung together telling magical stories. They are powerful. The same words I use every day can be used to impact others, to express feelings, to make change….words are powerful.

So now I invite you to share great words with me. What books changed your life? What books took words and made a difference?

The one and only bob

Last week, Katherine Applegate released “The One and Only Bob” which follows Bob, the dog, from “The One and Only Ivan.” Ivan became one of my favorite characters and I wasn’t sure what to expect as we journeyed into Bob’s story.

If you haven’t read “The One and Only Ivan,” it is based on the true story of a gorilla named Ivan who spent over 20 years living in a cage in a shopping mall. The story is told from Ivan’s perspective. When I first read it, it was my first encounter with a story in “first person gorilla” but Applegate managed to capture this trapped gorilla’s voice in a way that was both authentic and believable.

In “The One and Only Ivan,” Bob, a stray dog, finds his way into the mall searching for food and squeezes himself into the gorilla cage to steal a piece of banana. He succeeds but also finds a friend in Ivan. He remains at the mall with Ivan and Ruby, an elephant also held in a cage in the mall, until rescuers save the gorilla and elephant.

One of the employees, whose daughter Julia often visited Ivan, Ruby, and Bob, takes Bob home and he becomes a part of their family. We begin “The One and Only Bob” with Bob living with Julia and her family. Julia’s dad has a job at the animal sanctuary where Ivan and Ruby now live and Julia and Bob are able to visit them often.

Bob is a tough little dog who had a rough life prior to living with Julia’s family. The entire story is told from his perspective. While Applegate captured the voice of Ivan so brilliantly, she managed to capture the very different, but equally entertaining, voice of Bob perfectly. Bob shares his view of the world as only a dog could see it.

While I read and found myself laughing out loud at times, it was this passage that made me realize Bob’s view of the world was more than just sharing his story, it was words of wisdom from a smart little dog.

Dogs ain’t perfect. But I’ll tell you one thing where we rule: tolerance.

For us, a dog is a dog is a dog. I see a Great Dane, I say howdy. I run into a puggle, it”s Glad to meet ya, how’s it goin’, smelled any good pee lately?

Go to a dog park and you’ll see. We are equal opportunity playful. You sniff my rear, I sniff yours.

You don’t see that with humans, obvious.y Constantly seeing differences where none exist. All those things like skin color? Dogs could care less. You think I won’t hang with a dalmatia ’cause he’s spotted? Or a sharpei ’cause she’s wrinkled?

I’m not saying I love every dog I meet. (Snickers comes to mind.)

But I’ll always give a dog the benefit of the doubt. Life is short. Play is good. And there are plenty of tennis balls to go around.

While it is challenging for many second books to live up to the first, “The One and Only Bob” is a great second book. Applegate’s talent for bringing animal voices to life is incredible and believable. Pick up a copy of “The One and Only Bob” to see what happens with all the incredible characters in “The One and Only Ivan.” You will laugh, you may shed a tear, you will be reminded of the importance of true friendship and perseverance.