Joan Derrick’s “Latest Children’s Book Release”
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“Joshua and Stranger Danger is a wonderfully fresh and mature approach to keeping our children safe.
In the first of the series, author Joan Derrick imbues Joshua with a ‘soul buddy’, or intuitive voice, which warns Joshua of impending danger. What is special about Joan’s book is that she brings another dimension to the stranger danger message. By encouraging young people to tap into their feelings, trust their intuition and believe their inner voice, Joan empowers children to
think for themselves and identify danger early.
Joshua and Stranger Danger represents the next generation of children’s books and is a special gift to parents, whose busy lives – and fears, hopes and aspirations for their children – make Joan’s offering an essential tool.”
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It‘s afternoon in the schoolyard and lessons are finished for the day. Most of the students have already gone home. Joshua loves being at school, learning and enjoying new and exciting experiences. He’s usually happy, getting on well with the teachers and making friends easily.
This afternoon he’s feeling a little lonely as his big brother Ethan isn’t with him. Joshua is seven going on eight, but he feels better when he knows Ethan is not far away.
His friend Aden was ready to go home with his mum. Joshua decided to go for a walk with them while he waited for his mum to come. Joshua, Ethan and Aden are usually among the last to leave.
The main entrance to the school is on a very busy street with fast moving traffic, especially during peak hour as people are going to and from work. All the working parents park in a quiet side street away from the main entrance, because their children arrive earlier than the other students, and leave later as well.
Joshua walked with Aden and his mum to a little gate on the side street entrance of the school grounds, where Aden’s mum had parked her car. Joshua stopped at the gate and watched his friend getting into the car. The street looked lonely and deserted.
No-one ever saw who lived in the houses. Their doors and windows were always closed, and their backyards were screened to shut out the noise of the schoolyard.
Without thinking, Joshua dashed onto the footpath to wave goodbye. Aden called, “Bye Josh,” as they drove off.
As he turned to walk back to the schoolyard, a policeman approached him. “Josh,” he called, “just a moment. I have something important to tell you. Your mum had an accident this afternoon and I have to take you to see her.”
Joshua was afraid for his mum as he imagined her all bruised and broken. He felt a big knot in his stomach, and his skin felt creepycrawly. His heart started thumping and his mouth felt dry…
