This is such a beautiful post. It makes me want to pick up the new book!  -- Congratulations on its arrival! I love stories, too. My favorite song, if there had to be a top-favorite, is Walk With Me, sung by Caedmon's Call. It's about Psalm 23, but fluid and appropriate for today. The second verse begins, "Tell me the story / When all was made new...." 

And thank you for your kindness and encouragement in responding the other day. You've been insightful and considerate, and you have good parenting experience that I'm still building. Today I spoke with the principal, who answered all my concerns, putting me completely at ease. What an emotional time this has been!

My 4-year old came up to me just now and said, "You know, books can have wings. And books can fly." Who knows what he's talking about (a cartoon drawing?), but it somewhat fits with your post here, and the power of shared stories.