Patrick Dreams about Reaching New Heights
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Stories by people like you
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My Whole Grief
John, wearing his blue soccer shirt, noticed a big, dark hole in his backyard. It looked scary and made him sad because his dad, George, wasn’t around anymore. His mom, Carol, saw him crying and hugged him. The hole followed John to the soccer field, where he used to play with his dad, who always cheered him on. There he met his teammate, Kyle, who had a hole of his own. But Kyle’s hole was filled with candy wrappers and looked messy, unlike John’s which just had dirt and mud. Robert, the therapist, met John and helped John turn his sad hole into something cozy. With bright string lights and soft pillows and framed photos of John with George, the hole started to feel warmer, safer, like a special den. He brought his favorite toy bulldozer and a wooden plank, to make the hole his own special place. The other two family friends, Kevin and Steve came along to help fix the hole, where they placed his winning trophy. Kyle had heard of how wonderful John's hole became and decided to follow him for help. They strung up colorful lights. He gave Kyle a bright, blue pillow. Even Carol came to sit with John in the now "Comfy Grief Hole", wrapping blankets and holding him. Later, John and Kyle helped the Comfy Grief Hole transform further! They had added a couch, a TV, a ladder, and fresh flowers. His hole connected to Kyle's to become the "Awesome Mansion Grief Hole"! He also remember the good times in a retro diner with spilled milkshake, back when George played as a soccer kid about to kick a soccer ball. The sad hole was now John and Kyle’s favorite place to share snacks and tell stories of their family.
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Alex Gets an MRI Scan
The story begins with Ellie preparing for her visit to Shriners Children's Hospital for an MRI. A friendly staff member welcomes Ellie and helps her and her family check in. A nurse then leads Ellie to a quiet room to explain the MRI process – the importance of staying still, the tunnel-shaped machine, and the sounds it makes. The Child Life team visits, offering toys and a cozy blanket to make Ellie feel more comfortable. Ellie changes into soft pajamas and gets ready for the scan on the table. Calming music is played, and Ellie focuses on staying still as the machine starts its work, listening to the sounds the nurse described. After the MRI, Ellie gets a sticker for her bravery, knowing the doctors have the information they need to help her stay healthy.
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The Power of Words!
Ethan's passion for art time is dimmed by his impatience for supplies. When the coveted blue marker appears, a conflict with Mia arises. Ms. Lopez gently guides Ethan to discover the magic of 'please' and 'thank you.' Ethan starts to appreciate a classroom that runs smooth, where kind words unlock new friendships and create a better learning experience.
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Ryan For President
What happens when a kid takes the Oval Office? President Ryan treats the White House like a giant classroom, turning press conferences into show-and-tell, declaring nap time “executive orders,” and building block towers as if they were border walls. With snack lobbyists, playground diplomacy, and tantrums that rival cabinet meetings, Ryan’s presidency is a hilarious peek at politics through kid logic.
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Understanding Allergies with Alan the Allergist
Jason, after experiencing an allergic reaction to peanuts in the school cafeteria, learns he has a peanut allergy from Dr. Alan. He moves to the allergy table, where he meets John (milk allergy), Sara (egg allergy), and Mike (soy allergy). Initially sad, they cheer up with Jason's jokes. Jason realizes they can bake something everyone can enjoy. They all bake delicious, safe cookies at Jason's house with his mother's help, assigning roles to each of them, from slicing bananas to stirring. They happily enjoy their treats, bonding over a shared experience and already making plans to bake together again. This shows the children that even with allergies, life can still be fun, and friendship can bring joy, while teaching them the importance of collaboration.
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Ryan's Rocking Knicks Game
In his red shirt and shorts, Ryan hopped from one foot to the other! Today was Knicks day with his dad, Jeff, who was wearing his blue button down shirt! He said goodbye to Mom and his brothers, who were visiting Grandma, and then made sure he had his book ready for a reading assignment, Read-A-Thon. First, he played High Card Deal with Jeff. Finally they jumped into an Uber and began the car ride! “Dad! The Chrysler Building!” Ryan exclaimed, followed quickly by “And the Empire State Building!” Even though it was super cold, Ryan begged for a picture with the giant, sparkly Empire State Building. He shivered happily! Once inside Madison Square Garden, Ryan, and his dad Jeff, were greeted by Kevin in a fancy suit, and Steven, who wore a grey hoodie. Ryan made a beeline for the cotton candy stand! A big, sugary cloud in hand, Ryan listened as Steven explained basketball – rebounds and assists – while the Knicks played the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jaylen Brunson (#11), Ryan’s favorite player, was zooming around, but Anthony Edwards from the Timberwolves was even faster! The score was close at halftime, but then a fan did something amazing! They made a shot all the way from the middle of the court…and WON A CAR! Everyone cheered! Then… T-SHIRT CANNONS! T-shirts zoomed into the air, but Ryan didn’t catch one. Even though the Knicks lost in the end – Anthony Edwards scored more points, helping his Timberwolves team secure the victory, it didn’t matter. What mattered was spending time with Jeff. When they hopped on the LIRR from Penn Station to go home, Ryan couldn't stop staring as they descended underground. Steven explained how trains moved through tunnels. Then, Ryan taught Steven a new game: Block Blast. Steven was so bad! Even though the Knicks didn’t win, it was the best day ever!
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Benny's Bout with Broccoli
Benny the Bear insists he hates broccoli, but his best friend Rosie is determined to change his mind. Through a series of comedic attempts, Rosie presents Benny with broccoli in different dishes, from broiled to roasted, and from salads to soups. As Benny sneaks bites and sniffs out the hidden veggie, he finally confesses his love for broccoli and celebrates with a grand feast.
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Camp Ties (Day Camp)
Sophie is brimming with excitement as she prepares for her first summer at sleepaway camp. She's already visited and packed, and anticipation fills the air. However, as Mom tucks Sophie into bed one night, worry creeps in. Sophie confesses her fear of missing her too much while away at camp, which makes Sophie's mom acknowledge her sadness. Sophie, teary-eyed, learns the term 'homesick' for the first time and wants to know more. Mom disappears briefly and returns with two matching bracelets. She explains that even when they are apart, these bracelets will remind Sophie of their connection, allowing her to miss her mom and still have fun, reminding her of all the things that they do together. Sophie is immediately calmed by the bracelet and promises to wear it for the summer, but understands how important it is to wear. Later in the story, she puts on the bracelet at camp to think about how great she feels that Mom loves her whether they are together or not. As bedtime rolls around at camp, Sophie is wearing her bracelet and doing a good job so far.
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Leo the French Bulldog
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My Friend, Zenny
This heartwarming picture book follows Jordan and his dog Zenny through a day filled with play, discovery, and connection. Together, they chase butterflies, share snacks, and learn what it means to look out for one another. Zenny’s curiosity and Jordan’s imagination weave together into a simple but powerful reminder that the best adventures are the ones we share with those we love.
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Eat the Rainbow by Lindsay Surowitz
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