The ‘Wisdom’ Collection is a joyful celebration of storytelling and culture that blossom in young (even older) reader’s imaginations—a perfect blend of colorful art, inspiring narratives, and the inclusion of poetry adds a lyrical touch, making stories more engaging.
The mixed array of stories tells and encourages curiosity, the rewards that come from learning, kindness, giving, respect, responsibility, loyalty, and wholesome-ness that comes from healthy living.
The Magic Box of Tales & Truths is an ongoing series for young readers that celebrates adventure, culture, and resilience.
Each series are different like the magic of foods that produce good healthy rewards; the different phases of life while growing up; and the experiences of joy that comes from good deeds, giving, kindness, respect, responsibility, loyalty, and much more–all told through lively stories, colorful illustrations, and charming poetry.
Each beautifully crafted book differently, from cover to cover, ranging in page count from 40 to 50 pages, and designed to 11 x 8.5 inches (landscape), and available in Soft or Hard cover is filled with vibrant pictures, heartfelt narratives, and delightful poems designed to inspire and educate young minds.
Magic Box of Tales & Truths, Series 1 – Maggie is about a brave girl who journeys from Russia to America, embodying themes of hope, perseverance, and the importance of family and tradition.
Maggie’s inspiring story is woven with poetic verses that bring her adventures to life, making her journey memorable and meaningful. As she shares her story, she superheroes—blueberries—whose health benefits are explained through engaging poetry and fun tales, making healthy eating exciting and magical.
Magic Box of Tales & Truths, Series 11 – Elizabeth, arrived from Paris with her own Magic Box of Dreams and Memories.
Elizabeth’s stories take children on a poetic voyage to her homeland, sharing cultural tales, sights, and sounds. Her verses celebrate diversity, curiosity, and the joy of exploring new places—all while emphasizing the importance of nourishing our bodies with good foods and embracing our roots.
Magic Box of Tales & Truths, Series 111 – Samantha was born in America but traveled around the world for the USDA.
Her story, Solid Southern Roots of Rich History is packed with global adventures and wise, poetic reflections on the benefits of wholesome, nourishing foods.
Samantha’s tales encourage children to appreciate the richness of different cultures and see healthy eating as a delicious, worldwide adventure—beautifully expressed through rhythm and rhyme that make learning fun and memorable.
Magic Box of Tales & Truths – Series IV – Tirone is an enchanting story about a curious boy growing up in Michigan’s lakeside town of Empire.
Through vivid storytelling, Tirone’s father shares humorous and imaginative tales about different ships—trains, cruise ships, cargo vessels, tugboats, and navy ships—bringing the ocean’s adventures to life.
The story, The Boy Who Grew Up With the Sea in His Heart also touches upon Tirone’s exciting future as a seasoned captain exploring the world’s oceans, inspiring young readers to dream big, embrace adventure, and believe in their own journey ahead.
As Tirone’s love for the sea deepens, he learns important lessons about kindness, responsibility, and perseverance.
Magic Box of Tales & Truths – Series V – Murray walks back to his pre-teen age and from there moves forward into his college years, then his chosen career path, delves into marriage, family, and his rise in the publishing industry, which all stems back to his profound belief in his early youth —that newspapers are the heartbeat of neighborhoods—transformed not just a town but an entire way of seeing the importance of local stories.
In a world where headlines fly by in seconds and digital screens dominate our daily lives, Murray Bernard’s story, Behind the Headlines, He was the Heartbeat of the Community reminds us of the timeless power of community, storytelling, and connection.
But there is much more in Murray’s story that were indicators he was the ‘Chosen’ as a reminder if you stick to your guns, stay the course, and believe the “Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for,” once said by English writer Joseph Addison (1672-1719), you will feast upon the affluence of real world knowledge gained to embrace the adversities, to envision the possibilities while travelling among the skeptics, and soaring through the undergrowths others would pass by.
Magic Box of Tales & Truths – Series VI – Sisterhood, is the final book that completes the ‘Wisdom’ six-pack collection. Its story, The Gardens of Sisterhood: Legacy of Love, Blood, and Choice tells of the bonds formed in friendship between Maggie and Elizabeth that created an expanded American female connection with other “sisters” like Judy, Karen, Donna, Pat, Janet, Kate, Joyce, and Carol in their immediate world. In a broader sense, similar to the “six degrees of separation” theory, sisterhood fosters relationships on shared values, experiences, and a commitment to uplift and empower each other that forms a foundation of a lifelong powerful supportive network.
Magic Box of Tales & Truths books are also an extension of the founding missions of Art-to-Art: Building Friendships Through Art (1986-2006), a k-12 art education program founded by Pat Rayman, then art teacher in the Delphos, Ohio public school system, that bridged the gap between art and other subjects like Geography, History, Reading, Writing, and Communications through Human Relations.
In a world where colors danced and stories whispered through every brushstroke, Pat believed that art was more than just pictures on a page—it was a bridge, a magical link that could connect hearts, minds, and worlds.
In 1986, Pat set forth on a noble quest: to create a wondrous program called ‘Art-to-Art’, a journey that would weave the threads of art into the fabric of learning.
Starting small with just three brave schools in Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, the idea grew like a garden blooming in spring. In a few short years, over 400 schools across 42 states joined the quest, transforming classrooms into vibrant hubs of creativity and friendship. Every January to June, ‘Art-to-Art’ the program began its leap-frog exchange of student’s projects that told their stories about them along with their artwork from school-to-school like in a grand voyage across the nation—like colorful butterflies fluttering from state to state.
But the magic didn’t stop there. The most extraordinary moments took place at the national shows held in wondrous places like North Carolina, Montana, Connecticut, Wisconsin and beyond. These gatherings became like enchanted festivals where art and stories mingled, and the spirit of friendship blossomed. Imagine children’s eyes shining with pride as their masterpieces were celebrated in museums and art centers, their voices echoing in songs of unity.
And others from other walks of life took notice. Governors proclaimed “Art-to-Art” Day, Senators and Presidents sent their congratulations, and media outlets cheered the colorful journey of hope and friendship. From the halls of government to the pages of newspapers, the story of this magical mission spread far and wide—touching millions of lives.
Yet, the greatest magic of all was created by the students, parents, and teachers who believed in this dream. Their laughter, their shared stories, and their artwork turned the vision into reality. They proved that when hearts and hands come together through art, the world becomes a brighter, more beautiful place.
And so, the Magic Box of Tales & Truths also reminds us all: with imagination, friendship, and a little bit of magic, we can turn dreams into dazzling realities—just like the brilliant journey of Art-to-Art: Building Friendships Through Art and its everlasting missions live on and ever after.
About the Novel
Wisdom of Nana via Gebo Passage is a sweeping, multi-generational saga that intertwines love, resilience, and destiny against the backdrop of global upheaval and personal triumphs. At its heart lies the prophetic wisdom of Marganita “Maggie” Cohen-Grabowsky, whose foresight through Rune Stones guides her family through the trials of migration, war, and cultural identity.
From the harrowing escape of Maggie and Asa from Russia aboard Freedom’s Destiny to the transformative journeys of their descendants, the novel explores themes of family, faith, and the enduring power of heritage. Benjamin Grabowsky’s path from Jerusalem to America, his reunion with Jackie Coleman, and his discovery of purpose through farming fulfill a prophecy that binds past, present, and future. Meanwhile, Nathan Grabowsky’s career as a journalist captures the human cost of war and the search for truth, while Sarah Cohan-Grabowsky’s Art-to-Art program bridges cultures and empowers children.
Adding depth to the narrative is the character of Murray Bernard, a visionary newspaper magnate whose fictionalized story hints at real-world connections to the legacy of newspaper group ownerships. Murray’s transformation of the Traverse City Post from a small-town daily into a regional powerhouse mirrors the ambition and innovation of real-life media pioneers.
His acquisition of the Delphos Herald in Ohio and subsequent expansion into county seat and community weeklies showcases his relentless drive to modernize printing operations and build a media empire. Murray’s mentorship of Nathan Grabowsky, offering him the opportunity to lead the Daily Review in Eagle River, Wisconsin, underscores his belief in nurturing talent and creating lasting legacies.
Through richly drawn characters like Captain Tirone Smith, Elizabeth and evocative storytelling, the novel delves into the complexities of love, loss, and legacy. It celebrates the courage to start anew, the strength to endure, and the magic of connections that transcend time and distance.
With its tapestry of intertwined lives,—it’s an immersive voyage through the lives of nearly 100 compelling characters from diverse backgrounds, including French, Jewish, Dutch, German, and Irish origins.
Where cultures collide and hearts unite; A story of love, legacy, and hope across generations; Wisdom in every passage, courage in every story; Bringing diverse stories together, one unforgettable character at a time; An epic journey through history, humanity, and the ties that bind us.
Wisdom of Nana via Gebo Passage invites readers to reflect on their own journeys and the gifts that shape their destinies.
This is more than a story—it’s an emotional and spiritual odyssey that will leave readers inspired, moved, and eager to uncover the secrets of their own paths. Perfect for fans of family sagas and historical fiction, this novel is a testament to the enduring power of hope, the wisdom passed down through generations, and the transformative impact of visionaries like Murray Bernard, whose legacy lives on through his family and the communities he touched.
