Scarlet Hare and Daddy's Hands

Everyone has pipe dreams - you know, those dreams that are likely never to happen, but they could, maybe, someday, if you're really lucky.  One of my/our pipe dreams is to someday be a published children's author.  To that end, I've written a couple of short books (with some help from Chase) that we enjoy here in our home.

You can find the text for the first book here - Scarlet Hare - in a blog post I did a while back.  I made it and the text below into books on Shutterfly with pictures taken by Kathy Chase (some of which I've also included below).  I hope you enjoy...


Scarlet Hare and Daddy's Hands
by Chase and Stephani Francl
with photos by Kathy Chase


It was Scarlet Hare’s very favoritest kind of day,
Because just she and her Daddy got to spend it all in play.
They began with a walk to the nearby playground,
Where Scarlet started pondering on the merry-go-round.

They slowed to a stop and as she reached for Daddy’s hand,
She asked him, “Daddy, what makes holding your fingers so grand?”
Daddy smiled at his Scarlet while he formed his reply,
Then he scooped her up into his arms and said, “I’ll tell you why.”



“It’s grand to hold my hand, dear Scarlet, because it fits just right.
God made them special just for you, the right size to hold you tight.
My hands are big to snuggle you close, enveloped in my love.
They snatch you up when you get scared and shelter you from above.

My hands are strong to lift you high in an eagle’s soaring flight.
They catch you each time you stumble or trip or have a fearful fright.




My hands are gentle to hold you when you’re tired or feeling mad.
They can put on a bandage or wipe away tears when you’re sad.

My hands are filled with fun that I can’t wait to share with you.
There are lots of exciting things that you and I will do.



Sometimes my hands are far away, and they’re not right by your side.
That’s when they’re hard at work, dear Scarlet, in order to provide.
Some day these hands may give you away to a very special boy,
But always they will protect you so this life you will enjoy."



Scarlet looked down at her daddy’s hands that held her as she sat.
Then she jumped down, looked up at him, and plopped on her little hat.
“Daddy, I love you.” Scarlet said and melted her daddy’s heart.
“I’ll race you to the slide, but you have to give me a head start.”

“Ready.  Set.  Go!”  Daddy hollered as he watched her race ahead.
He got up and followed closely behind as to the slide she led.
She zoomed down from the top squealing in delight all along the way,
And Daddy caught her in his hands - his favorite kind of day.