Michael Schane Showcases an Inspirational Anecdote with Enthralling Themes

Books are powerful tools—tools that can trigger change. While there is a myriad of learning resources out there, nothing can beat the supremacy of books—treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Even children’s books, which are often associated with elements of entertainment and fun, hold great power. There are plenty of ways books can contribute to the development of a young mind; it is just impossible to overlook. Combining these with impactful storylines and invaluable life lessons, you have a powerful guide for children.

While these books that target the little ones include fictional tales, sometimes about people, animals, objects, or places, they have strong hidden messages that young minds comprehend as they grow. Books can inspire and motivate little ones to grow into adults with strong morals and characters. Tapping into this potential of books is a form of writing now becoming a norm in children’s literature: metaphorical writing. This is the kind of writing that uses metaphors to shed light on ideas, emotions, and themes.

The emotional impact of these books is unparalleled as they offer a deeper understanding of sensitive or complex topics that are often difficult to ingrain into the minds of little ones. A book about to hit the stores soon is the latest example of using metaphorical writing in children’s literature. Michael Schane’s The Boy and the Witch is a children’s book that is on its way to its release, but how it showcases inspirational anecdotes with enthralling themes is worth bringing into the limelight.

The Backstory

Before diving into the powerful themes in The Boy and the Witch, it is critical to discuss what actually led Schane to narrate this story and understand which metaphors he is using in it. The Boy and the Witch is a story that revolves around a shy young boy who feels he does not belong with the other children around him. He felt lonely and did not find comfort in playing with those of his age. Feelings of alienation were sowed in his mind, and he found socializing difficult. Saos loved spending time on his own, usually deep in the forest. Being close to nature brought him peace of mind.

The question is, how did Schane develop the character of Saos?

Saos’ story is a reflection of Schane’s own life. Like Saos, Schane felt he did not belong and preferred his own company over that of others. When he was in school, he had a hard time socializing, and the place itself became challenging for him. Even though he held great potential, and his teachers constantly praised him for that, he was unable to tap into it just because he did not feel comfortable being surrounded by people who seemed alien to him.

He was not a victim of bullies or left out by others. Instead, he chose this for himself. Schane felt isolated and did not find much value in developing friendships at school. He shed light on what his childhood was like, saying, “School was a challenging place for me. At a young age, I felt I didn't belong there and had difficulty connecting with anyone.”

Schane added, “I struggled to make real friends while attending school. For the most part, everyone knew who I was, and I didn't get picked on or bullied, but at the same time, I felt isolated from the rest of my peers. I was more of an introvert.”

The Invaluable Lessons

What is important here is that through Saos’ story, Schane wants to share some lessons he learned the hard way. He wants the little ones to be well-equipped when they become adults and not have difficulty navigating the complex waters of life.

The Importance of Companionship

Through Saos, Schane wants to address all those children who experience similar emotions at school. But through the same character, he wants to make the little ones understand the importance of companionship. It is vital for parents to help their children understand how essential having a faithful companion is in life. How having someone a person can rely on adds to their overall confidence and instills in them the power to stand tall against the adversities that life throws at them.

In The Boy and the Witch, Saos stands tall against the challenge he and his new companion face together in the forest. The introvert, Saos, gains so much courage that when the time comes, he has just one thing in mind: to be there for his friend.

Difference Between Companionship and Unhealthy Co-dependency

One important factor he wishes to highlight in his book is looking for companions instead of relying on family members. Nowhere does the book talk about Saos’ parents or siblings or how they helped him in these tough times. Instead, he talks about Saos finding a companion in a very unexpected place and situation.

Schane, as a child, fell victim to unhealthy co-dependency with his mother. He refers to himself as a mama’s boy as a child. While the connection between a child and their parent is beautiful, having others in their social circle is also essential. Schane struggled due to this unhealthy connection, and so did his mother.

The idea of finding companions away from school or home stems from Schane’s own experiences.

Being Open to Life’s Unpredictability

Parents often try to save their children from life’s unpredictability. They offer their little ones comfort and try their best not to expose their child to new situations that might impact their heart or mind. While parents do this out of pure love, it negatively affects their child’s mind.

As they grow up, they are unaware of life’s unpredictability and clueless about how to react to situations they are not familiar with. This makes it difficult for them to grow into strong-willed adults who can endure tough times.

In The Boy and the Witch, Schane narrates the tale of how Saos finds a companion in the woods in the form of the Shadow Witch. This is his way of making the little ones open their minds to finding friends in the most unexpected places. It is a metaphor that talks about embracing differences and being open to the concept of inclusivity, befriending people based on their soul and nature rather than their skin color, financial status, or origin.

Using his own life as the core of his metaphorical storytelling, Michael Schane’s latest children’s book is indeed a treasure for growing minds. Shedding light on invaluable life lessons while giving children a fun and exciting story, The Boy and the Witch has the potential to become a child’s favorite bedtime read and a valuable tool for parents to open dialogue about complex concepts with their children.

It is definitely a win-win situation for all.