Introduction

Once upon a time, in a place that's not so far away, there was a five year old named Anna. She 

lived with her Dad, her Mom, her little sister Kara, her baby brother Isaac and their good old dog Tecumseh.

She was a child of many words, indeed, words became her passion - huge words, huge ideas and huge questions were a constant tumble of curiosity that rippled like a great sea. Her vibrant imagination cultivated many brilliant ideas - and quite a few unnecessary catastrophes.

Sometimes her parents didn't know what to do with their dramatic child, but they loved her and prayed her through the school of hard knocks as she learned important things. (Like why not to suggest matrimony to a freshly widowed neighbor and how learning to control one's temper will save one from many a sore lip.)

Enclosed, you'll find a copy of the whole word - the way Anna sees it. Her opinions are iron, her grief, not to be scorned, and her love to be continued, unbounded. Thankfully, she's been blessed with a good memory, and her clear recollections (down to the smallest detail of her most sensational daydreams) have required very little embellishment. Be prepared for a journey into the very soul of a young girl to whom the world is brand new; it may prove to be quite shocking.

Without further adieu, I present this collection of tales which are, in her own words: