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Wings of Change

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Back when he designed his first school, Frank Hill did all the right things. He talked to the faculty members about their programs and goals. He studied all the literature about the future of education and educational technology. He met with the school board to discuss its vision for the district. Then he integrated his research into a building that was the school of the future, primed and prepared for all the educational changes and progress everyone had outlined to him with such enthusiasm.

The educators took one look at the plans and declared they didn't like them.

"I thought, 'what went wrong?'" Hill said. "Then I realized it wasn't the design, it was the changes it would require. People are afraid of change. It's human nature. So I had to figure out how to assuage their fears."

That was 15 years ago. Hill, an urban planner and president of Hill and Associates of Bellevue, has learned quite a bit about the fear of change and what to do about it; enough that he has designed or redesigned more than 60 schools, each time matching the design to its future, not present needs and, each time, running into people who thought those changes were a fine idea, until they realized they were the ones who would have to adapt to them.

Hill decided the easiest thing to do would be to simply give them a book on overcoming one's fear of change. So he wrote one.

All Ages:
"Wings of Change" (Illuminations Arts, Bellevue, illustrations by Aries Cheung) is a book for children, actually. But its principles can apply to any of us. In it, a good-natured caterpillar named Anew is quite happy with his life. Then his friend Faith, a snail, explains that changes are afoot. Anew doesn't understand. But Faith reassures him, "As the world turns, so do you. When you change for the good, you change the world, too."
Anew starts having odd dreams. In one, he decides he can fly. But caterpillars can't fly so crash he does to the ground. Then he dreams he has a butterfly's wings, but a caterpillar's body. He tries to fly again and again, he crashes. Then he dreams has a butterfly's wings and body, but when a bird tries to catch him, rather than fly, he runs like a caterpillar and gets snagged in some thorns.

Thinking like a caterpillar does not work for butterflies, he realizes. Faith explains that the dreams were preparing him for a very big change. Instinctively, Anew starts spinning his cocoon. A few weeks later, he emerges as a butterfly; but not just any butterfly. The new Anew has prepared himself for this, the biggest change of his life. The strange new experiences of flying and seeing the world from the sky are fun, not frightening. While he enjoyed being a caterpillar, he enjoys being a butterfly more.

The fear:
A simple parable, "Wings of Change" incorporates a number of the principles Hill developed for overcoming fear of change.
First, he found, everyone is apprehensive to some degree about change. After all, not all change is good, Hill said. Consider the changes brought about by an earthquake or a heart attack.
As a result, people tend to respond to the good change in three general ways. Some pick up the latest trend and throw themselves into it with blind enthusiasm. The problem with that is they often have no vision for the changes they are making. Like Anew, they fly because they think they should, not because they are prepared for it.

Next, people often want to change, but can't get rid of their old behaviors. They may have butterfly wings, but they still have a caterpillar's body.

Finally, a lot of us end up with all the latest technical and intellectual developments in our fields at our fingertips, but we still think it terms of the status quo. We can't integrate our style with the new circumstances. We have a butterfly's body, but we still think like a caterpillar.
What to do?
Hill found the first step in adapting to change is to recognize how the change will make things better. If you are dealing with someone else's fear of change, you do that by involving the person in the process and showing how the change will be relevant to their goals and activities. Then you demonstrate how they can use elements of the change to accomplish more of what they want to do, Hill said.

Sounds fairly simple. But you're dealing with fear, which is both complicated and irrational. So a fair amount of patience is a good idea.

Dealing with children's fear of change is actually easier, Hill said. Childhood is a continuum of change and kids often sense when a change in their lives in imminent. When it is imminent, encourage the kid to view changes as growth and improvement, Hill said. And, help the child make the change within a safe environment so he or she can exercise control of it.
"Fear of change is often the fear of loss of control, and for good reason," Hill said.

Find your focus:
It is a legitimate fear because change is often thrust upon us, whether we are prepared or not, he said. When that happens, the key is to concentrate on your personal intentions; what will make your world better, even when the world beyond it is in a state of confusion and flux? Often you can adapt elements of the change swirling around you and make them work for you, Hill said.

"Wings of Change" is Hill's first book. He has three more in mind, all of them children's books. He recently finished "Wings Within" about a spiritually self-actualized snail, and is working on books three and four. He won't reveal their plots, other than to say they involve bees and butterflies.
"I write children's books because if I can make things clear enough for children to understand, I just might understand them myself," Hill said.

The morning dew tickles his belly buttons! The afternoon sun feels warm on his tiny fuzzy feet. He has lots of yummy leaves to munch. Life is good! Why would this contented little caterpillar, whose name is Anew, ever want to change into a butterfly? He doesn't! He wants things to stay the same forever, and he doesn't understand what is so great about brilliantly colored wings and being able to fly. Isn't he happy right now? Maybe, just maybe, this idea of becoming a butterfly is a bit over-rated; besides, he is a little bit afraid of change.

***** In this book the positive aspects of change are delicately and tenderly introduced to young children through the story itself and through the beautiful illustrations. Indeed, just looking at Aries Cheung's creative artwork is an adventure in itself. Raindrops glisten on bright green leaves, and adorable little Ladybugs scurry from one leaf to the next as little Anew munches happily along. In this setting children are able to explore their personal feelings about changes in their own lives in an endearing and heartwarming way. After all, Anew has a very wise friend named Faith who guides him along - just as parents guide their children through new situations.

Wings of Change is an adorable book with a wonderful message that is presented in charming and humorous ways. I highly recommend it! *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson.

Wings of Change presents the children's story of a contented caterpillar who is afraid to become a butterfly. This simple metaphor reflects the insights that Dr. Franklin Hill has gained while facilitating progressive changes in education. Dr. Hill specializes in planning new educational facilities. He is well acquainted with the effects of change on the young and the young at heart. Dr. Hill created this beautiful story to illustrate how the process of change, though sometimes scary, can lead to positive transformation. The rich illustrations by renowned graphic artist, Aries Cheung, are exceptional and colorful. Confused by the changes he feels are coming, Anew the caterpillar looks to his friend, Faith, for guidance. Faith reassures Anew that one positive action can change the whole world. Anew chooses to trust Faith and his own dreams. Anew finds happiness as he transforms into a vibrant butterfly. He can finally view the meadows from the sky! Dr. Hill's excellent book Wings of Change will provide peace and optimism for young readers learning to navigate their own changing world.

Wings of Change follows the adventures of a very happy little caterpillar named "Anew." Through a series of dreams and with the help of his friend and mentor, Faith the snail, Anew learns to accept his approaching metamorphosis, discovering that, "thinking like a caterpillar does not work for butterflies." Franklin Hill's inspired and entertaining analogy shows young readers that they need not fear the inevitable changes within their own lives. Aries Cheung's artwork is perfectly suited to this charming, insightful, and very original picturebook story.

Story by Franklin Hill, Ph.D.

Illustrations by Aries Cheung

An Illumination Arts Publishing Company Storybook for all ages

A Review by Andrea R. Garrison - onlinewithandrea

When I first heard about this award winning story book called The Wings Of Change (by Franklin Hill, Ph.D. and Illustrations by Aries Cheung) and the fact that it talked about this wonderful caterpillar called Anew I was thrilled. I have always had a passion for butterflies and the symbolism of their magnificent transformation from a precious creature that crawls to this awesome delicate creature that flies and spreads beauty every where it lands. This story book is about the struggles of the caterpillar called Anew who represents so many of us who are currently in a seemingly comfortable place/stage in life. It is easy to stay in the comfort zone. It is not easy to make subtle or bold moves without apprehension and fear. Yet we learn as Anew does that change is constant and the beauty of the present is that it propels us forward to the next level. When we watch Anew make his powerful transformation into the beautiful delightful butterfly we are reminded of this wonderful evolutionary process. It is through dreams and a special friend called Faith that Anew begins to relax more and to let go of the fears and the anxiety that fills his spirit. Once he releases and relaxes, the transformation takes hold and Anew moves into the next stage of his journey, his destiny which is to become a butterfly.

When you open the Wings Of Change story book on the inside cover it reads:

Wings of Change is the story of Anew, a contented little caterpillar who is afraid to become a butterfly. After experiencing, some puzzling dreams, he turns to Faith, a wise old snail, for advice. She gently explains,

As the world turns,

So do you

When you change for the good,

You change the world too...

Wings Of Change is a humorous, tender, heart inspired wonderful story book for children and adults. Dr. Hill an acclaimed educational futurist has truly done an excellent job at creating a story that reminds adults and teaches children at an early age about the beauty of change, transformation and the evolvement of each of us on this journey. Illustrator Aries Cheung did a splendid colorful job of bringing this story to life. I love the Wings of Change. I highly recommend this book for all ages and for all stages in life. It will inspire you to embrace your wings and fly. For more information please visit the Illumination Arts Publishing website and listen to my onlinewithandrea interview with Dr. Franklin Hill, Illustrator Aries Cheung and John Thompson the CEO of Illumination Arts Publishing.

Andrea R. Garrison

Host/Producer onlinewithandrea

Author/Producer

The Crossing Over Of Mattie Pearl

Bellevue-based Illumination Arts Publishing has come out with a new picture book that deals with transformation--an especially good topic in this season, as we watch the world green up around us, flowers blossom, eggs hatch, and butterflies emerge.

In fact, "Wings of ChangeEfeatures a little caterpillar who is content by day but at night experiences disturbing dreams in which he attempts very un-caterpillar-like behaviors, such as flying. He is counseled by a wise old snail who advises him not to fear these feelings:

"When you change for the good, you change the world, too.E

She predicts--accurately--that soon he will be spinning a cocoon for himself. When he eventually metamorphoses into a butterfly, he exults in his newfound ability to fly and comes up with a new song of faith:

"When I change for the good, I can touch the sky.E

Bellevue educational consultant Franklin Hill devised the simple story line for "Wings of Change,Eas well as a set of discussion points for parents to use with their children. While the tale does a good job of showing how change is inevitable and might be embraced, it diverges from its message of affecting society, focusing instead on the butterfly's personal satisfaction. This may not concern its intended audience, but it bugged--excuse the pun--me.

Aries Cheung provided the lively illustrations for "Wings of Change."

Growing up my father and I had a favorite children's book that we read together every night. My father passed away last year but the memories of those moments are still with me today. I had been searching for a similar story that I could share with my children. Now I have found it. Wings of Change is a wonderful book that helps to explain the process and importance of change in life. I found that this story does a nice job of communicating this powerful lesson to children and adults alike. I highly recommend this story to anyone who is looking for a special way to connect with their children and help guide them through life.

For children 3 years old and up.

As Faith the snail relates in this simple, pleasant tale of transformation, "As the world turns, so do you. When you change for the good, you change the world too."

Faith is the wise mentor of Anew, a young caterpillar who feels growing pangs of doubt and uncertainty. Though Anew dreams of standing atop rosebuds and viewing mountains from the sky, he is also afraid. Through further dreams and Faith's counsel, Anew learns that "thinking like a caterpillar does not work for butterflies." Following the flow of his own inner yearnings, Anew comes to embrace the mystery of change.

This charming story provides reassurance to young readers who are just learning to navigate their own changing world. Vibrant watercolor illustrations from award-winning artist Aries Cheung add humor and a lovely dash of zip to Anew's adventures.

Through a series of dreams and with the help of his friend and mentor (a snail named Faith), a caterpillar named Anew learns to accept his approaching metamorphosis, discovering that "Thinking like a caterpillar does not work for butterflies." The book includes an "Interactive Guide for Exploring the Topic of Change," a series of questions formulated by Dr. Hill, a former school teacher, to discuss aspects of the story.