The first day at a new summer camp was exciting for one of my daughters and terrifying for the other. They were talking things through in the car, trying to prepare themselves for the new camp. I was delighted when my shy daughter thought out loud, ‘Wait! This is like Hopper’s first day!‘ I was glad she drew a parallel between her experience and Hopper’s, because it allowed us to apply the same moral from the Planting Festival. My purpose with The Planting Festival was to create relatable and inspiring characters that help children cope with the challenges of childhood.
Before entering the camp doors, my shy daughter decided she would remember the names of her teacher and three camp friends. She would also look around for friends from school or daycare. They both went in with determination—one, to conquer her fear; the other, to have as much fun as camp-ingly possible.
