Our Child’s Guide Series of books covers the most fundamental life lessons we’ve learned as parents and coaches including how to lose with poise, win with dignity, the importance of honesty, and so much more.
Can’ts Never Could: A Child’s Guide to Perseverance
Every child faces moments when things feel just too hard. This heartwarming story shows children that every challenge is a chance to grow. With colorful illustrations and an uplifting message, Can’ts Never Could encourages readers to keep trying, stay brave, and celebrate the power of perseverance!
A wonderful read-aloud for families, classrooms, and anyone who needs a reminder: you can do hard things!
Review
We live in a fast-paced world, where we are commonly impatient, get bored easily, and want things done the first time correctly, and of course, quickly. The youth and younger generation are growing up with this mentality, and it’s reprogramming the minds of all other ages. Being impatient, easily frustrated, and overly critical is the “norm,” and the ways of the past are being forgotten, such as having perseverance, tolerance, and the ability to ask for help. David Farkas presents this dilemma in his picture book, Can’ts Never Could: A Child’s Guide to Perseverance. However, it is a lasting, not temporary, message appropriate for people of all ages from any given time in history.
In his story, a young boy is visited by a “stubborn, little elf” who has one phrase to share whenever the boy exclaims “I can’t” or anything similar – “Can’ts Never Could!” This frustrates the boy, and he doesn’t understand how anything is wrong or why he should change. Given time and failed tries in various activities doing things his way, the boy develops, in an “a-ha” moment, a better and clearer understanding of what the elf is trying to teach and remind him of, providing a new mantra. The boy doesn’t just give in to the elf because he is worn down; no, the boy realizes that when he continues to say “I can’t” or anything else negative about himself, he isn’t giving himself the chance he deserves to see if he can thrive and do better than he initially assumes, as well as maintaining positive mental health.
The same goes for anyone else struggling with this.
The problem and solution in the story are clear, the main character is relatable, the illustrations by Brittany Farkas assist the storyline, and the story is versatile for a variety of settings.
Rachel Dehning, Reader Views
From Lydia (age 11): The message I got from the story is “don’t quit if you’re not good at something, because then, you’ll never get good at it.”
The whole story made sense to me, and I enjoyed reading and hearing it read; the rhyming text was helpful. There is a good lesson in the story that I believe is necessary for readers of all ages because it’s important for people to feel better about themselves individually and together.
Lydia, Reader Views
From the Author
Can’ts Never Could is an homage to my parents who would always say that to me when I was a kid. What kind of a retort can you make to that? Nothing. I hope to give kids around the world the same great wisdom my parents gave to me by planting this message in their brain. To this day, whenever I come up against an obstacle, I hear “Can’ts Never Could!”
Don’t Make Noise Lose With Poise: A Child’s Guide To Losing
Don’t Make Noise is a fun way to teach children how to cope with losing. It’s okay to feel disappointed if you don’t win, but it’s not okay to throw a fit and quit. This book teaches kids to be resilient, to be able to learn from their setbacks, and to continue to practice and move on to the next game.
Teaching kids how to compete in a healthy way will help them develop into stronger athletes and stronger people.
Enjoy the fun of sports with the kids in your life! Help them develop a healthy way to compete while avoiding the quitting, giving up, or crying that can accompany defeat.
This book is dedicated to making competition fun for all ages!
Review
David Farkas’s Don’t Make Noise: Lose with Poise is a delightful and meaningful picture book that gently introduces young readers to the importance of handling setbacks gracefully. This engaging installment in the “A Child’s Guide Series” offers a lighthearted yet impactful lesson on resilience, sportsmanship, and self-growth. Through rhythmic storytelling and relatable scenarios, the book reassures children that feeling disappointed after a loss is normal but emphasizes that throwing tantrums and quitting are not the solutions. Instead, Farkas encourages readers to learn from their experiences, practice perseverance, and focus on the joy of doing their best.
Brittany Farkas’s vibrant illustrations add charm to the narrative, capturing emotions and playful moments with expressive details. Every page radiates energy, making the lessons engaging and enjoyable for readers. The story conveys an essential lesson about sportsmanship and teaches youngsters that sometimes they will lose, no matter what the competitive sport. Losing a game or championship can be devastating, but it’s not a reason to cry, scream, or give up. It’s important to learn from losses and know that doing one’s best makes everyone a winner. In today’s competitive world, Don’t Make Noise: Lose with Poise is a perfect read for any youngster involved with sports. It would make an excellent pre-game gift to read before a competition as a reminder to stay calm even when facing a loss. David Farkas created a valuable resource for parents and educators aiming to cultivate emotional intelligence and positive attitudes in children without being preachy. With its engaging message and captivating visuals, this book makes the path to sportsmanship enjoyable for all ages.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson at Reader’s Favorite
Delilah and the Missing Curtains: A Child’s Guide to Gratitude and Happiness
Delilah the Ant has everything she could ever want…except one thing, pink curtains! Will these curtains make her happy, or will she just want something else after she gets them?
This sweet story with a wise message teaches that gratitude and perspective are powerful tools in the pursuit of happiness.
Delilah and the Missing Curtains is the second book in the Child’s Guide Series of books covering fundamental life lessons, including how to lose with poise, win with dignity, the importance of honesty, and so much more. Kids of all ages will enjoy the humor and rhymes while parents will appreciate the character development and moral teachings underpinning each book.
Bring the lessons of the Child’s Guide Series into your home today!
Review
Delilah and the Missing Curtains: A Child’s Guide to Gratitude and Happinessby David Farkas is a delightful picture book that gently introduces young readers to the concept of contentment. Through the story of Delilah the Ant, children learn that true happiness often comes from appreciating what they already have. The book’s rhyming couplets and charming illustrations by Brittany Farkas make it an engaging read for ages 4-8. I believe that “Delilah and the Missing Curtains” is more than just a picture book; it’s a valuable resource for teaching children about the importance of gratitude and finding joy in the present moment.
Valentina Antihi, Goodreads
A Book That Speaks to Parents Too
Parents reading this aloud may find themselves nodding with a little too much recognition. The “one more thing” mindset is a trap at any age. Whether it’s the elusive pink curtains, the better job, the bigger house, or the latest phone—what we already have quickly becomes invisible unless we stop and reflect.
Delilah gives families a gentle, accessible way to talk about this. It invites kids to name what they’re grateful for. It gives parents a moment to breathe and recalibrate. And it does all this without a shred of condescension or preachiness.
Illustration That Feels Like Home
Brittany Farkas’s illustrations are soft, expressive, and full of small charms. The rooms, while simple, feel lived-in and warm. There’s a visual rhythm that matches the lyrical text, making this a pleasure to read aloud (again and again—parents, be warned).
5 out of 5 Stars – Here’s Why
Because Delilah is not just a picture book. It’s a tool for emotional literacy, a gentle meditation on gratitude, and a heartfelt reminder that contentment is a skill—not a possession. It manages to be age-appropriate, psychologically sound, and genuinely moving—all in under 40 rhyming couplets.
Book Excellence Award Winner, Book Excellence
Delilah and the Missing Curtains: A Child’s Guide to Gratitude and Happiness
Reading this book to my kiddos was an absolute joy! It beautifully captures the essence of gratitude and happiness in a way that young minds can easily grasp. The storytelling is engaging, the message is powerful, and it sparks meaningful conversations about appreciating the little things in life. Every child should have the chance to experience this heartwarming read! ~ MammaNeedsaBook, Goodreads
The Power of Gratitude
With delightful, serene illustrations that blend colored pencil art and playful graphics, the story’s lyrical style not only entertains but also imparts a profound message about gratitude and perspective. By teaching children the significance of appreciating what they have, Farkas aims to equip them with valuable tools for happiness and contentment.
This latest book follows the success of the series’ inaugural title, Don’t Make Noise Lose With Poise: A Child’s Guide To Losing, which introduced young readers to themes of dignity and resilience during times of defeat. Farkas’ approach successfully combines humor, rhyme, and moral teachings, ensuring that both children and their parents can enjoy and learn from these engaging stories.
As a familiar face from popular screen titles like NCIS Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, and Passions, David Farkas brings his storytelling skills honed in performing arts to the world of children’s literature. Collaborating with Brittany, who is also his musical partner, the couple has produced uplifting music that often inspires their literary pursuits.
An Engaging Learning Experience
Delilah and the Missing Curtains serves not just as entertainment but as a genuine learning tool in childhood development. Parents will appreciate the character growth depicted within the pages, while children are likely to resonate with Delilah’s spirited journey toward understanding gratitude. The humor and catchy rhymes will keep kids engaged, making the experience both enjoyable and educational.
Farkas aims to inspire children to build positive attitudes that can last a lifetime. The A Child’s Guide series is designed to instill vital life lessons, such as the importance of honesty, empathy, and resilience. With younger generations facing various challenges, nurturing these skills has never been more crucial.
Third News
About the Author
David Farkas is a longtime actor and water polo coach, and author of the Child’s Guide Series of books. Alongside his wife Brittany, who illustrates their books, he set out to write a children’s series that would help kids develop into kind, honest, honorable, and mentally tough adults.
David and Brittany are also musical partners, having written two full length albums and multiple singles together.
