In the pages before you are tales of children, parents, grandparents, friends, and life in an early stage of our development: childhood. Do you remember your childhood? Was it full of smiles and playing outside? Meeting new friends, or shyly introducing yourself at the front of the classroom. Childhood should be an age without worry, but it can also sometimes come as harsh lessons and difficult decisions. As adults we hope that children don't grow up too quickly; we try and shield them from the world's problems. We want children to smile and be free. Some of the children in these stories and poems smile and some don't. In any case, we hope that you can find a