Rusty aims to present thought-provoking character attributes for children about fundamental, life-long principles that they should be sensitive to and thinking about. The stories leading to the proverbs are real stories from the lives of real children pictured in the book. The people in the book are all the grandchildren of Carol and Larry Tannas, Jr. But they are used only because of the availability of real-life activities with a deep comprehension by the author. Their observations are used to introduce the proverbs presented in a way children's reading or listing can easily relate to. The proverbs presented have deep roots in our western culture and the historical references for most are given to add to their significant, established, universal, life-long values.
