By TIM KELLY
Positivity, perseverance and courage are elusive in today’s world.
It’s hard enough for adults to face down their fears and be brave. Sometimes it’s more daunting for parents to teach their kids how to understand, learn and acquire these special qualities.
A new book by Deirdre Palm Adams, “The Adventures of Rocky: Don’t Be Afraid Rocky” (Page Publishing), makes the topic easier to broach with young children, and does so in an endearing and relatable fashion.
It tells the story of the author’s real-life dog, a poodle who doesn’t like being alone, and how Rocky dealt with the trauma of being lost on an Ocean City beach.
Spoiler alert: in the skillfully written tale, Rocky not only came out of the ordeal unscathed, she acquired coping skills, and courage along the way. It’s an inspiring journey for kids and grown-ups of all ages.
“The goal was to show how we can overcome fears and live in happiness and joy,” Adams said.
The first-time author knows a bit about courage herself from a long career in New York City, working and traveling extensively as a corporate executive in the high-pressure fashion industry.
Adams has been coming to the family beach house in Ocean City’s Gardens section most of her life. The full-time Camden County resident and husband Joe purchased it and rebuilt it about 20 years ago.
“I’m a Jersey beach girl at heart and we love the beach lifestyle,” she said of the couple. “It is where we most enjoy to be and it’s the perfect place to retire and live full time, which we plan on doing in a few years.”
The star of the book is Rocky, a character based on Adams’ real-life pooch, an eight-year-old female poodle whose coloring resembles that of rocky road ice cream.
“I was inspired to write it when I watched Rocky wandering around the beach with me during a walk at sunrise one morning,” Adams said.
With this humble beginning, the book’s message grew to something more global, reflecting the author’s credo – life is a gift to be enjoyed with joy and gratitude.
“The law of attraction has guided me for a long time,” she said
Adams says she practices habits of positivity, gratitude and the joy of life. It starts with personal happiness, she continued.
“It came back to Rocky. Dogs have a special way of connecting with people, relieving stress and bringing us happiness. We love our dogs and can relate to them. Positive thoughts bring good results in life.”
“Don’t be Afraid Rocky” delivers this serious message in a heart-warming style. The book won’t add its own test of courage for parents and children tackling a difficult subject.
Kids will identify with Rocky, who hears a loud noise and flees her house and runs to the beach. She winds up lost, with all of her fears and anxieties. The dog realizes the sky is getting dark and she’s hearing and seeing things she doesn’t like. However, the canine manages to gather herself and finds friends along the way.
Her new beach buddies help Rocky stay calm, find her way home and ultimately discover she had inner strength, bravery and courage all along.
The story is illustrated with art created by Deirdre’s niece, Lindsay Morano.
The first in an “Adventures of Rocky” four-part series, the books include other topics for teaching children: understanding the power of gratitude, experiencing joy in life, and dreaming big.
“The Adventures of Rocky: Don’t Be Afraid Rocky” is available at bookstores, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.
There will also be a local book launch event at Sun Rose Words and Music, near 8th street and Asbury Avenue on Aug. 14, where folks can meet Rocky and have the book signed by Deirdre.
“It was very clear to me that Rocky can be a vessel to bring the message of the law of attraction to children everywhere,” Adams said.
