One Local Author Tells ‘The Hole Story’

Ruthie Darling is a local author who is helping pave the road to teaching young children about an important concept. Her book called “The Hole Story” is making it easier for young children to understand the concept of the space around them.

Darling volunteers at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage where she reads books to young children from kindergarten to second grade.

“When I started writing 30 years ago I just never dreamt this would happen and it’s happening,” said Darling.

She also said that children often learn about things like shapes and colors but not about spatial concepts.

Suzanna Alberto works at the museum and said that after Darling reads the book to the children they have a very positive reaction.

“The kids are always like ‘OK let’s go look for holes and space’ so it teaches them something really, really great,” said Alberto.

And families who have heard “The Hole Story” agree.

Tande Brush brought her grand daughter to listen to the reading.

“It’s a good concept, it’s different. I’d never heard that before with space, and it’s important that they understand space,” said Brush.

Jeanne Yew also took her child to the museum for the reading and has heard the story about three times.

“Every time I hear the story I pick up new details and I think it’s a great story,” said Yew.

Alberto also said it’s important to teach these concepts at an early age.

“Children start to develop early literacy skills and so they do this by reading and listening to the sounds and the words,” said Alberto.

Darling has been able to market her book locally putting it on shelves all over the desert. “The Hole Story” is at libraries, gift shops and hotels.

Families have also bought her book and sent it off to their loved ones as far away as France, Spain, South Africa and Mexico.

Darling’s book was accepted in the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center and participated at the scholastic book fair at Marywood-Palm Valley school.

The second book Darling is working on is called “Mrs. Libra and Zoe Zebra.” But Darling said: “Well, I can’t tell (what it’s about) because then I’ll give the whole story away.”