A single sunrise can outshine a whole gift shop, and that’s the kind of quiet truth we dig into with children’s author and artist Michelle Dahl. Michelle spent years as an elementary school teacher, and her chapter book “A Walk with Grandpair, Mickey’s Souvenirs” began as a personal narrative writing tool for her students. After retirement, she pulled that classroom framework back off the shelf, followed the memory further, and turned it into a story that honors childhood wonder, family traditions, and the influence a grandparent can have in one ordinary morning.

We talk about what makes stories stick with kids and why writing from the heart works better than forcing a prompt. Michelle shares the real-life inspiration behind “Grandpair,” including the way elders pass down values through simple storytelling, not lectures. We also explore the book’s core message: material souvenirs disappear, but the “souvenirs of the heart” last, especially moments like walking the beach before dawn, seeing your first sunrise, and feeling safe in a loved one’s hand.

Friendship and resilience come up in a big way too. Michelle explains why she wanted young readers to see that meaningful friendships can be instant, joyful, and sometimes temporary, and that endings can hurt without erasing what the friendship gave you. We also connect her writing to her visual art, from watercolor illustration to pet portrait commissions that help families hold onto love and memory.

If you care about children’s books, grandparent-grandchild bonding, storytelling in education, or raising resilient kids in a distracted world, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with a parent or grandparent, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Find Michelle’s book HERE Visit her WEBSITE 

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Elsa Kurt: You may know her for her uncanny, viral Kamala Harris impressions & conservative comedy skits, but she’s also a lifelong Patriot & longtime Police Wife. She has channeled her fierce love and passion for God, family, country, and those who serve as the creator, Executive Producer & Host of the Elsa Kurt Show with Clay Novak. Her show discusses today’s topics & news from a middle class/blue collar family & conservative perspective. The vocal LEOW’s career began as a multi-genre author who has penned over 25 books, including twelve contemporary women’s novels. 

Clay Novak: Clay Novak was commissioned in 1995 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and served as an officer for twenty four years in Mechanized Infantry, Airborne Infantry, and Cavalry units .  He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. Clay is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School and is a Master Rated Parachutist, serving for more tha...