Imagine a room full of community leaders and changemakers leaning in, listening to a bunny’s story. That was me early September at the Gamechangers Atlantic Rotary Club sharing Harmony Hare and her three voices.

And what struck me wasn’t just the laughter—it was the calm that settled in the room. Shoulders relaxed. Breaths slowed. Smiles softened.

The very same week, Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo released a letter on peace through education. Talk about alignment!

The very next morning, I was back on the carpet with my kindergarten and first grade students—pencils rolling, voices buzzing, little bodies full of energy.

Two very different rooms, but the same truth: when a story lands, people change. They breathe easier. They listen differently. They feel safer inside themselves.

Sustainable health and well-being aren’t just about what we eat or how much we sleep. It starts with the voices we let guide us, and the stories that teach us how to care for ourselves.

And wow, Harmony Hare has been hopping into some amazing places lately! Did you see the feature by Storyologist Page Turner? She brought Harmony’s story alive with so much fun and flair. (You can watch the reel here). It’s proof that stories have the power to move hearts of every age.

That’s the magic of story: it doesn’t just entertain, it heals.

Science shows us that when kids read about characters navigating big feelings, their brains light up as if they’re practicing those skills themselves. Imagination becomes resilience. Empathy becomes muscle memory.

So how do we use that power every day—for health, peace, and growth? Here are a few ways stories (and the voices we choose) shape long-term well-being.

Our children’s brains are growing faster than we can imagine and what we do today can shape their whole tomorrow. I see it every day in my classroom, and science backs it up too. The stories we share, the words we use, the habits we model—these are writing the script of who our kids become.

Here are five truths I want you to hold close, because the guidance we give now builds the foundation for everything that comes next.

1. Stories Wire the Brain for Life

Neuroscience shows kids’ brains are most malleable before age 7. Every word and story becomes “wet cement.” The voices they hear — Victim, Villain, or Hero — get written into identity.

💡 Hero Takeaway: Read stories out loud and pause often. Ask: “Which voice is speaking?” That’s how kids learn their own inner script.

2. Stress Closes the Book, Joy Turns the Page

Chronic stress shrinks the brain’s memory center, while joy and calm expand its focus and problem-solving powers. Stories create safe rehearsal spaces where kids can face dragons without being burned.

💡 Use bedtime stories as medicine. End the day with calm, not chaos, so the brain goes to sleep in expansion mode.

3. Self-Talk is the Author of Health

The way kids narrate their own lives becomes their daily choices. “I’m strong” brains light up pathways for resilience; “I’m weak” brains wire for retreat. Stories like Harmony Hare give kids words to practice healthier self-care.

💡 When your child says “I can’t,” turn it into a story: “Imagine your Hero voice narrating this chapter — what would it say?”

4. Sleep = Story Consolidation

While children sleep, their brains replay and stitch together the “stories” of the day. Without enough sleep, learning unravels and immunity weakens. With it, the brain files memories neatly into long-term shelves.

💡 Guard bedtime stories. They aren’t extra; they’re essential brain fuel.

5. Movement Creates New Chapters

Exercise grows new neurons (thanks to BDNF). Active play strengthens the brain’s ability to learn and adapt. When kids act out a story — hopping like Harmony Hare or roaring like a lion — they’re literally growing their brains.

💡 Add movement to story time. Have kids embody the story they hear. Play is how the brain writes deeper learning.

🚂 All Aboard the De-Stress Train! Enjoy this fun video as kids learn how to pack their “calm case” with tools they can use when stress shows up. Instead of getting stuck, they learn how to keep moving forward with calm, courage, and focus.

After watching, ask kids: What tool would you put in your calm case today?

Take Action: Which tip surprised you the most today? Let us know or share more helpful info with fellow families in our REK Facebook Group!

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Have You Hopped Into Harmony Yet?

Look at all the amazing places Harmony Hare has already traveled! From classrooms and libraries to airports and living rooms, educators and parents everywhere are discovering the power of Harmony’s story.

Harmony Hare and Her Three Voices isn’t just a book—it’s a tool for teaching kids how to recognize their self-talk, choose their Hero voice, and build resilience for life. Pair it with the Flat Harmony Peace Quest Workbook and you’ll have ready-to-go activities that make self-talk playful, memorable, and transformative.

✨ Special offer: Order your book by September 30th and you’ll receive the Flat Harmony workbook for FREE. Just email us your receipt!

👉 Get the Book Now + Adventure Workbook

Whether you’re reading at bedtime or leading a classroom circle, this story has the power to calm, connect, and inspire.

Of course, we can’t forget our animal of the month… the Energetic Tiger. 🐯

The Tiger is all about courage, vitality, and guarding what matters most. It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t waste energy. It knows when to rest and when to leap. And that’s a lesson for all of us—especially when it comes to our health.

So here’s my simple Hero Tip: take a walk in nature. 🌿

Tigers thrive in the wild, and so do we. A few mindful steps outdoors can calm the nervous system, sharpen focus, and remind us that true strength shows up in how we care for the body that carries us through the world.

And because even tigers need their comfort… 🍂 COZYTOBER® has arrived! Wantable’s #1 best-selling style theme for five years running is back—made for crisp air and cozy vibes. Think of it as wrapping yourself in a little extra courage and comfort for the season. Four Edits to choose from, plus free gifts with each. Get Styled with Wantable>>

And if you haven’t grabbed your copy of the Harmony Hare book yet, now’s the perfect time. Pair it with your Flat Harmony cutout and take them along on your Tiger walks in nature. Share with us where Harmony shows up—we love seeing the adventures!

With love + courage,

Share this with friends and help raise 1 million empowered kids with Hero Intelligence!

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