"The Jester Has Lost His Jingle has become a potent therapeutic
tool here at Richstone. The children who are counseled here are
all victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as
severe neglect. The spirit of these children is often drained
from them, leaving them without hope or joy. Their 'jingle' is
lost. The sharing of David's book and the Jester doll has become
one of the avenues for the counselors to assist children to discover
the healing power of laughter."
—
Dorothy Courtney, Executive
Director
Richstone Family Center, Hawthorne, CA
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"Too often a
child experiencing a serious injustice to themselves or a member
of their family is filled with a variety of emotions from fear of
the individual who hurt them to the uncertainty of what will happen
next. The Jester & Pharley provide these children with a sense of
comfort and a smile."
—
Bernard C. Parks,
Chief of Police, LAPD
Kirk J. Albanese, Captain, Commanding Officer, Juvenile Division,
LAPD
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"When my teacher
read the book it totally changed my life. I always feel like I don't
fit in this world. Now that my teacher read it to me I know that
when my sisters say that my mom took the wrong baby, they don't
really mean it. Now that I know there's always laughter inside of
me I don't need to feel sad about if I don't fit in this world."
—
Romea C., 2nd grade
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"I
personally love the book and Jester Doll. It has comforted many
children through grief and loss issues as well as sadness in their
lives. It has lifted their spirits and given them hope when they
have felt hopeless."
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—
Judy Deutsch, Counselor
93rd Street School, Los Angeles
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"A fifth grade
boy's mother died of a drug overdose and he was taken from his father
who abused him while intoxicated. He was placed in a foster home
for the first time, and in addition, has had to adjust to a new
school and make new friends. He has frequently burst into tears,
since he still loves his father in spite of everything and his father
has disappeared.
"I
gave him a copy of David's book and he took it home during Thanksgiving
vacation and he read it over and over, 'I just couldn't stop reading
it,' he said, 'especially the last page.'
("Laughter is hiding inside of you.")"
—
Lisa Rountree, Counselor
96th Street School, Los Angeles
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