Rusty aims to present thought-provoking character attributes for children about fundamental, life-long principles that they should be sensitive to and thinking about. The stories leading to the proverbs are real stories from the lives of real children pictured in the book. The people in the book are all the grandchildren of Carol and Larry Tannas, Jr. But they are used only because of the availability of real-life activities with a deep comprehension by the author. Their observations are used to introduce the proverbs presented in a way children's reading or listing can easily relate to. The proverbs presented have deep roots in our western culture and the historical references for most are given to add to their significant, established, universal, life-long values.

Dear Reader, Rusty’s story is a true story.  His voice is ghostwritten by a  person intimately familiar with his life. As you read, Rusty hopes you enjoy learning how the lives of several children helped to stimulate the heart and soul of Rusty as if he were  a real person with a real heart and a real soul.

The purpose of this book is to present several lifelong, important, universally accepted proverbs in our culture to children.

Rusty has now retired into the Children’s Garden at the City of Orange Public Library on Chapman avenue.  Optimally this book could be read in the Garden by a grandparent to their grandchild gazing upon Rusty while enjoying the story, enhancing the garden experience.

Rusty is an artistic creation made circa 2008 by a very talented person for use by his band. The voice for Rusty is an anonymous person intimately familiar with Rusty’s lifelong activities and the lives of the children depicted in the story. If a name is needed call him Papa.

It really is a true story. The axioms or proverbs cited throughout this story are supported by actual events in the lives of the children depicted. The proverbs are the contributions that Rusty conjures up and reports herein in a meaningful way for the enlightenment of the reader and most of all, children.