Mind the Gap

Written by Rachael Himsel Illustrated by Victoria Clarke 

all rights reserved

INSIDE COVER:

If YOU know how it feels to be called… 

different   FREAK!   gross   lame

too fat / too short / too tall / too skinny

way too sensitive!

Not like other kids   weirdo!

…this book’s for YOU! 

******************************

P 1

Once upon a time, two girls grew up in different places, 

yet often had the same sad look upon their faces! 

P 2 

Rosina grew up in a lovely city called London, and her parents were lovely too.

She felt safe and loved, but… 

p3

...she sometimes felt so lonely, sandwiched between two smelly brothers who just wanted to joke 

One would laugh, while the other yelled, “You’re just a GIRL, not cool like a bloke!”. 

p4

At school, Rosina liked her teacher, and her classmates were great, but…

She couldn’t keep up with their conversations, 

and thought to herself, “This is no way to keep up relations! 

I’d rather play football with the boys instead!”

While the other girls smirked and said, “Why won't you talk? Why are you always lost inside your head?”

p5

Across the ocean, Laura lived in a small town with cornfields all around, and her parents were quite lovely, too.

She felt safe and loved, but... 

p6

...sometimes she felt lonely, too - which was weird, because she was hardly ever alone! 

 Laura had oodles and gobs of family, but she worried they’d figure out she wasn’t as smart, or fun, or pretty as they were. Poor Laura compared herself to others til the cows came home! 

P 7

Laura loved school, because letters and numbers made sense to her. She liked her kind teacher and her classmates were great, but…

People didn’t make sense to her, and try as she might, 

she didn’t understand why some kids always wanted a fight.

And when some boys made fun of her weight and asked if she had broken her bed, 

She didn’t know what to say, and stayed stuck inside her head. 

p8

Laura was tired of crying so much, and at her wits end

When Mrs. Miller stood and said “Let’s talk about making new  friends!

You each have a penpal from London, a city across the sea. 

ask them how life is there, and what they see.

Tell your penpal who you are and what you do, 

And who knows, maybe they will meet you! 

P9

“Rosina,” said Mrs. Laws, “Your penpal is Laura, and she likes art too!

Let’s get started class, let’s see what you can do!”

Rosina started writing - finally, she could let it all out!

She was determined to make a new friend, have no doubt! 

P10 

Dear Laura, 

My name is Rosina and I’m from London.

Most of the girls here wear perfect clothes, but I often look undone!

I like to play outside, kick the ball, watch the clouds

And I really don’t like it when things get too loud! 

Today my smelly brothers locked me outside the house. 

But I showed them, I pretended I was a mouse! 

I squeezed through a window and tiptoed upstairs. 

Wish they would leave me alone, wish I didn’t really care. 

I really love to paint and draw, I love anything with art!

It helps me feel less alone, like I won’t fall apart!

I hope you write back and tell me all about you. 

What do you liked to do?

Do you have smelly brothers too? 

Your friend,

Rosina

P11

Dear Rosina,

What a lovely name!

My name is Laura, and I’m so glad your letter came! 

I’m sorry about your smelly brothers

Too bad you can’t order another! 

I have four brothers, not terribly smelly

But along with five sisters, it often sounds like everyone’s yelling! 

Really though, my family is great, you’d like them lots

But at school I get put down, and the boys take cheap shots.

My sister says to just ignore them, So that’s what I do

But sometimes it’s hard, and I end up feeling like poo. 

I hope that’s not too much - sometimes my feelings overwhelm me

But I think you might get me? And maybe you can help me? 

I love art, and reading too

I’m about to start my new Nancy Drew!

Please tell me more about London and your art.

You sound so funny - wish we were not far apart! 

If you were here, we could draw and play and watch the clouds together

Maybe one day you come- I bet you would like our summer weather!

Your friend,

Laura

P12 

Dear Laura

Your letter brought a smile to my face!

Thank you so much - I don’t feel like such a nutcase! 

I don’t mind that I’m different, just seems others do. 

But I’m glad to know I’m not alone - now I have you! 

Here are some drawings I made just last night

I hope you like them, I hope they’re all right. 

They show how I feel, when I just want to cry, can’t be consoled

Like a gap in the ground might swallow me whole!

Meanwhile an asteroid is heading right at me

And I’m so stressed out, I can’t avoid that catastrophe!

What can I do? Should I run, try to jump across?
What would you do? I’m at a loss. 

I hope to hear from you soon - your letters take so long! 

Perhaps one day we can chat on the phone? You can sing me a song? 

I know you love to sing - what’s your favorite band?

I guess I’ll sign off now…give a break to my hand! 

Your new friend,

Rosina

P13

Dear Rosina,

I LOVE YOUR DRAWINGS! 

They are really top-notch! 

And trust me, I know what it’s like to feel like your life’s botched.

Grownups say kids don’t have to worry, that life is easy when you’re young

But with tornadoes and pollution and bullies and the fear of getting stung,

It’s easy to get overwhelmed! It’s easy to come undone! 

But I believe we can get through this together

Because friends help friends, and this storm we will weather.

I will listen to you, and be the best friend I can be

And would love to call you, and maybe one day, have tea?

Tea is terribly popular there, is it not? 

Do you have a place for me, perhaps a little cot?

I’ve never been to London, or traveled by plane

Is it true that there is always rain?

Please call me, I know we have different time zones

But reading your letters makes me feel less alone. 

Your American friend,

Laura 

812.373.6114

P14 

Laura’s letter took two weeks to arrive

But when Rosina opened it up, she smiled and couldn’t wait to talk to her new friend by phone, live! 

It was 4pm in London but just 11am in Indiana, and Laura was still in school.

So Rosina would call in four hours, and in the meantime go with her brothers to the pool.

They were still just as smelly, still just as mean,

But Rosina didn’t seem to notice so much - because she had   started to dream…

Of plane rides and cornfields, of clouds and places to visit

Of drawings and songs and friendship without limit!

At 8pm, Rosina picked up the phone.

Would Laura pick up? Would she even be home? 

“Hello,” said Laura’s lovely mother.

“May I speak to Laura please?” Rosina said, hoping she wasn’t being a bother.

“Laura!” called out her mom. “Phone for you!”

“Hello?” Laura said, as her kitten started to mew. 

Rosina felt ready to burst, and blurted out fast

“It’s me, Rosina! Calling you, at last!”

Laura was blown away, what an amazing surprise!

“I can’t believe it! You’re real!” and her voice started to rise.

“You’re calling me from London?! Wow! Long-distance call, I know. 

I’ll try to talk really fast, because our conversation could go and go!”

“That’s true!” laughed Rosina, letting out a squeal too.

“I can’t believe I have a friend like you.

Thank you for being there for me, for reading all my letters

For telling me you like my art - I’m feeling loads better!”

“You mean you don’t feel like an asteroid is about to hit?” Laura laughed

“Or that you might fall into that gap, with no hope of a life raft?”

“I don’t!” cried Rosina. “Because I have you.

Just needed a friend, and you came through.

Do you know how lucky I am, to have a friend who gets me like you do?”

“I feel lucky too - I do!” said Laura. “It’s amazing when someone listens 

You feel less alone, like you share the same vision.”

“I wish more kids understood this, the power they have.

To listen and care, to help mind the gap.” 

“Perhaps we can help other kids too. 

Maybe… write a book? What could we do?” 

“A book! What a great idea! 

And if it takes off, maybe then I can see ya!”

“How can we show others how to mind the gap in their schools?

Among friends and family, how can we make that gap shrink?” 

“We show them…in pictures, in words, and song… 

I have an idea, Laura, I’ll send it along!”

The friends chatted and chatted, their conversation went and went

Til Rosina’s parents said, “Time to hang up! Do you know how much money we’ve spent?!”

But they knew it was worth it for the smile they saw 

Had long been missing - and now Rosina knew just what to do: Draw.

Her joy had come back, she just needed a boost. 

So this is what they wrote together, and this is what she drew:

How to Mind the Gap

By Rosina and Laura

“Mind the gap,” we’ve heard you say.

We’ve tried our best, tried to stay out of the way.

But big gaps are so hard to bridge

It sometimes feels like climbing an endless ridge!

So please come help us mind the gap? 

You can wear a cap

But you don’t hafta

Have you tried to rap?

Wanna try to? 

Got a cat on your lap?

That’s ok - you can still

Mind the gap! 

“We can’t mind the gap all by ourselves!” you’ve heard us say.

“We can’t keep sitting here, day after day.”

We’re sad and we’re tired and we just need a break.

So please could you come and sit a spell? Help mend my heartache?

We may need extra time at home.

We may need lots of calls on the phone.

And sometimes, we just want to be left alone...

And that’s OK! 

We see the gap between us,

And sometimes don’t know how to cross it

With your help, with a hand, with that log -

Can you toss it? 

We can bridge the gap, we can fill it in

We will do our part, we will make amends.

All of us together, building bridges and minding and reminding too

Because gaps, if not minded, will widen - it’s true!

So if you want to be a friend to all

Write a letter, give a hug, or call!

Your love can make you a friend forever kept.

Yes, you can help if you follow these steps:

1. Mind the gap.

Look around you. Listen. Read. Become aware of gaps between you and your friends and classmates.

2. Bridge the gap - however you can.

Meet people where they are. Help those in need. It’s that simple.

3. Make sure it can’t widen.

Become part of groups fighting for equal rights and defend people who cannot defend themselves.

Because no one should be called

Freak   Gross   Lame

Too fat / Too short / Too tall / Too skinny

Way too sensitive!

Not like other kids...   or

Weirdo! 

Will you help to make it so? 

Love, 

Laura & Rosina

Friends Forever

The end.