Humble Pie : For Children 8 to 80

No matter who we are, low self-esteem and a negative self-image can threaten our well-being and quality of life. One of the most difficult things for people to do is take a look at themselves and see the positives, the gifts, talents, and attributes we were born with or have developed over time. Unfortunately, what most of us see is our lumpy shape and ugly brown crust. We feel stale and dry and wonder why anyone would pick us out of all of the other prettier, tastier, and livelier choices. Negative environments at home, school, and at work, combined with the impossible, fabricated images that bombard us through television, print and online, make it surprising that any of us can maintain a single positive feeling about ourselves. Humble Pie isn’t a person, but she is a character so familiar to all of us. She lives in a little bakery shop that sits on the corner of Rising and Dough Streets. She is generous, kind and nurturing sort of pastry who looks out for the good of the other desserts, but always thinks the worst of herself. Humble Pie doesn’t believe she deserves to be wanted, so when the hungry customers come in for treats, she huddles in the back of the case with the crumb buns. Until one day a new dessert arrives, Heavenly Cake. Everyone instantly loves Heavenly, and Humble Pie feels cast aside and unrewarded for all of her devotion to the pastries. But Heavenly Cake has a special gift for her that will gently open Humble Pie’s eyes and heart to her own uniqueness so that she can finally turn her upside-down perspective right side up again and stop focusing on the cherry pie, fruit tarts, lemon meringues and chiffons. Humble Pie is just as the master chef made her, and that’s just fine. This life lesson is for children, as well as for the child still living inside all grown-ups, who struggle to believe in themselves. As parents read this expressively illustrated allegory to their daughters and sons, it will encourage dialogue about sensitive and prevalent issues facing all of us. It is an easy, fun, and heartfelt read that will uplift readers of all ages and help them overcome low-self esteem,and foster positive thinking. Embracing the concept that to be truly humble simply means to know what your gifts are and to push yourself to the front of the crowd with the confidence to share those gifts with others.