Kendra Thornton

Oliver Orchid Meets Dandy Lion Kendra Thornton

Oliver Orchid is an anxious kitty whose fears cause him to miss out on fun adventures. When Oliver Orchid meets a resilient cub, Dandy Lion, he learns from their friendship that he must strengthen his 'brave muscles' and move through his anxiety. By embracing mistakes and facing challenges, Oliver Orchid learns to use life's hurdles as building blocks.




As caregivers, we want to ensure we are raising resilient children. Influenced by the research of Ellis and Boyce, this story encourages us to reflect on our kids as dandelions and orchids. Dandelions are hearty, adaptable, and flourish in almost any setting. Orchids are delicate and require a very specific environment to thrive. In our efforts to protect our children, we may unintentionally send the message that they are not strong enough to persevere on their own. Children cannot learn from failure if we never allow them to fail. To foster a growth mindset, we must celebrate effort over ability and view mistakes as learning opportunities.