There’s a moment every parent knows well — the soft rustle of blankets, the hush before bedtime, and a small voice that says, “Tell me a story.” It’s a simple request, yet within it lies something extraordinary. Stories are more than just words; they’re bridges between imagination and understanding. They’re how children learn to see the world, and just as importantly, how they learn to see themselves. In her enchanting collection Child Life Lesson 101: The Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy, A Toot, and The Snoggles, author Cheryl C. Walls captures the heart of childhood wonder and shows how storytelling nurtures two of the most valuable traits a child can have — confidence and curiosity. Through her whimsical tales of fairies, toots, and tiny sneeze-loving creatures, Walls turns everyday childhood moments into opportunities for laughter, growth, and discovery.
What truly defines Walls’s book is the power of imagination to teach. Each of the three stories — The Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy, A Toot, and The Snoggles — gives children permission to laugh, explore, and feel proud of who they are. They don’t just listen to these stories; they see themselves in them. And that, Walls reminds us, is where true confidence begins. In The Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy, a familiar childhood experience becomes something magical. Losing a tooth can make some children anxious, but Walls turns that worry into wonder. Her Tooth Fairy doesn’t just leave behind a coin — she leaves a kiss that may turn into a freckle. It’s a small twist, but a meaningful one. By framing the experience as something magical and personal, Walls shows children that change isn’t something to fear — it’s something to celebrate. For parents, this story offers a gentle way to help their children see courage in the everyday. The act of losing a tooth, waiting for the fairy, and waking up to a surprise teaches patience and bravery. And when parents read it aloud, it becomes a shared ritual of imagination that strengthens confidence. Children begin to understand that even small milestones matter — that they are capable of growing and handling new experiences with grace and curiosity.
Walls continues this theme of emotional growth in A Toot, a story that embraces humor and self-acceptance. Every child knows the embarrassment of a toot sneaking out at the wrong time — and every parent knows the giggles that follow. Walls takes this universal moment and turns it into a life lesson about handling accidents with confidence and kindness. She writes that a toot can be “shy but sneaky” and that each one has a smell “that belongs just to you.” With that one line, she takes something that might cause shame and turns it into a celebration of individuality. What happens when a child learns to laugh at themselves instead of hiding in embarrassment? They become resilient. They learn that mistakes and funny moments don’t define them — they’re just part of being human. Walls’s humor helps children understand that confidence isn’t about perfection; it’s about being comfortable in your own skin. For parents and teachers, this is an invaluable message: sometimes, a good giggle teaches more about self-esteem than a hundred lectures. Then there are The Snoggles — tiny, curious creatures that love to visit children’s noses when they sneeze or sniffle. Instead of turning a runny nose into a scolding, Walls transforms it into a playful game. The Snoggles, she explains, will stay and play until tissues are brought out — then they’ll dash away in search of another adventure. Children who might normally resist using a tissue suddenly see it as part of the story, part of helping the Snoggles find their way home.
This imaginative framing sparks curiosity — the kind that makes children ask questions, laugh, and wonder what else might be hiding in their daily routines. By giving life to the invisible, Walls encourages children to look closer at the world around them. They begin to see that learning isn’t just about facts or rules; it’s about exploring with open eyes and an open heart. Each of Walls’s stories creates space for children to express emotions freely — joy, pride, curiosity, and even embarrassment — all within a safe, loving environment. That’s the true gift of storytelling: it gives children words and worlds to understand what they feel. When a child listens to A Toot and realizes it’s okay to laugh, they learn that emotions aren’t something to hide. When they read The Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy and see bravery in a wiggly tooth, they learn to face change with excitement. And when they imagine The Snoggles sneezing their way around, they discover how creativity can turn ordinary moments into magical ones. For parents, storytelling also becomes a powerful bonding tool. Reading together builds trust and communication — children feel heard, seen, and understood. When a parent laughs with their child during A Toot or whispers softly about freckles left by fairies, they aren’t just sharing a story; they’re strengthening their child’s emotional foundation.
