About the Author

Carol Barnum was born and raised in a Chicago suburb during a time when kids could play outside all day without fearing for their safety. She attended Northern Illinois University in corn country, where she received bachelors degrees in elementary and special education, learned about God, and met her future husband. She went on to earn her masters degree in education from Concordia University Wisconsin. Carol married Dave in 1985, and together, they raised two daughters, teaching them about football, the Packers, and the importance of being their own person. Throughout her years of teaching young children with special needs, Carol discovered that kids often know the most important things in lifelike when someone needs a hug. Her experiences have helped her learn that sometimes the most important thing to do is not to talk, but to listen with your heart.