My father told me bedtime stories every night. He called them ‘five-minute tales’ even though they lasted longer. I remember wanting them to never end, literally fearing the words, ‘the end.’ An engineer by profession, he was blessed with an incredible imagination, untouched by daily responsibilities and the political climate. I often thought that he should be a writer, but as an immigrant with children to support, my dad focused on working two jobs. His days began at 4:00 am. He worked on Saturdays. And though always exhausted, he never missed our magical story time. My dad spun tales of heroes and villains, transporting me to distant lands and embarking on journeys only a child could dream of. When I was a teen, after five-minute tales stopped, I realized that a single story could give hope, provide an escape, inspire creativity, foster empathy, entertain, and, most importantly, bring people closer together. And so, decades later, Growing with Stories was born. The founders of Growing with Stories are embarking on an adventure. It is our hope to bring books that celebrate the human spirit, inspire courage, and cultivate empathy in young readers. It is our dream to use stories as a means to unite children across the globe, focusing on universal themes. I believe that when one truly pursues what one wants, on that path, the individual discovers what one needs to grow as a person.