When Jane Elizabeth Rode wrote All Around the World in 1996, her life was full, her son would soon be off to college and she was partnered with some wonderful people creating publications for children with learning differences. It was fulfilling work that kept her busy for almost twenty years. Not feeling that this simple idea for a children's book was important enough to complete at such a busy point in her life, she put it away in a drawer.
Twenty one years later, the world seemed to be filled with fear and hatred of anyone who was not like "us"—whoever "us" is—all over the world. Rode was horrified at how helpless she felt. With the ubiquity of digital media, the news was impossible to escape.
Rode then remembered her simple story unfinished in the drawer. She decided that if she completed the illustrations, published it and sent it out into the world, it would empower her, and in turn others, to feel more hope for the future.
Rode feels that if even one child or adult opens his or her eyes to see people of different cultures in a more tolerant light, she will have done her small part in the evolution of human consciousness. She believes that the intrinsic goodness of humanity will prevail if we become our best selves, share our unique gifts, and see ourselves in others.
At least it's a start.
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." – Mother Teresa