Book excerpt: Northside Story, rich with affirmations and positive analogies that exist between nature and humanity, may help children cope with the struggles in their own lives. Northside Story is a unique twist on a timeless love story about two kids from opposite sides of the tracks. One is manor-raised on the south side, and the other struggles daily for survival on the north side of the gardeners shed. Nature provides the characters and the setting, which allows young children their first opportunity to understand lifes issues through the great outdoors. It offers them perspectives that can enhance their feelings of confidence and well-being. Ive used flowers and weeds and the landscape to teach lessons about love and acceptance. The story strives to introduce them to Pandoras final gifthope.