What If You Could?

What If You Could?
by Lynne Harley, Art by Kiram Akram
Published by Lynne Harley-Mastery for Life Coaching & Consulting
Review by Shelley A. Leedahl
$16.99 ISBN 9781778218606

In my many years as a reviewer, I’ve noted that some of the best children’s stories are penned by those who bring professional knowledge—garnered after a career in a non-writing profession—to the page, and Lynne Harley’s a case in point. “After four decades as a social worker and transformational life coach, the former Camrose, AB writer, now living in Buchanan, SK, has now published her first children’s book, What If you Could?, and I’m certain any youngsters who find this colourful softcover in their hands will feel just as empowered to dream big as the story’s green caterpillar does.

The story, told in rhyming verse, features a large-eyed caterpillar who is “Feeling bored” as he’s “munching and crunching” through leaves. On one “grey and gloomy day,” said caterpillar hears his inner voice, which suggests it’s time to turn over a new leaf (so to speak), and find “something new” in his life. Firstly, he begins observing the flora and fauna: “He saw squirrels, chattering noisily/playing a game of hide and seek,/and hungry baby robins gobbling/worms from their mother’s beak.” Even the wildflowers, as they “swayed freely in the breeze,” seemed to be enjoying life more than him. The contrast between the caterpillar’s days—which are “glum and dull as rain”—and the creatures around him spurs the hero into action. “A voice as warm as sunshine” compels the caterpillar to “̒Dream Big!” and “̒Let [his] imagination run free.’”

It’s a true thing that sometimes we need to be given permission to “dream big,” even if that permission comes from within. If an adult’s reading the story aloud, this might be a spot to ask listeners what they might wish to see or accomplish in their lifetime. The caterpillar imagines “travelling all around the world,” and realizes he “would love to fly.” If he had colourful wings, he could “drink the sweet, sweet nectar/of flowers kissed by morning dew,” and “people would point and admire” him. But is it all a dream?

The book also features the flipside voice, the one that “was cold and quite mean,” and encouraged the caterpillar to keep the boring status quo. “̒Who do you think you are?’” it harangues. After a “long and gloomy day,” the seesaw between hope and doubt plagues the cartoon-like creature, but in his dreams he does indeed soar—and is becoming a cocoon. Then “magically, one morning,” you know who “flew free” as a smiling, white-gloved, yellow and red butterfly, soaring over the green landscape.

The power of positive thinking is real, and sometimes we all—regardless of age—need to hear this: “̒Believe in your dreams, because I believe in you.’”

This story is also about transformation. Change can be difficult, but again, it’s definitely helpful when we’re able to silence the negative inner voice and embrace the one that says: Yes you can!

I’ll happily share this book with my seven-year-old neighbour, and as I do I’ll remind myself that even at my great age, it’s never too late to dream big.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM SASKBOOKS WWW.SKBOOKS.COM