Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.

—Diamonds and Rubies—

Teaching a little girl to love to read

Plop! Mia landed in a bag carried by one of seven little men. In the bag where she landed were diamonds and rubies and crystals and many many beautiful jewels.

As she bounced up and down inside the bag she heard the little men sing, “High Ho! High Ho!”

The seven little men came to a house where Mia made another friend! Mia was finding that she was a wonderful friend maker.

Her new friend’s skin was white as snow and her lips were deep red. Her hair was black as coal.

She was so sweet and kind that Mia and her new friend talked for hours and hours about adventures in the forest. Her new friend told of her dream to meet a prince who could take her out of the forest some day.

Mia noticed a large mirror that belonged to her beautiful friend. As Mia looked into the mirror she could see someone in the back of the mirror who looked very small yet very strong. The little girl was smiling and waving from inside the mirror!

Mia turned around to see who was in the mirror, but nobody was there. When she turned back around there was that new friend standing next to her.

Related: The Beginning of Mia’s Fantasy

Related: Previous – Talking to Animals

Related: Next – A Different Land

Talk to Bill and others about their experiences raising bi-cultural Japanese-American kids.