Everybody has stories that get passed down from their parents, grandparents, and so on. Cinderella Mosley, a teacher’s assistant at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London for the past 30 years, has recently published a children’s book based on a story her grandmother used to recite to her as a kid titled “Boosh Bird.”

This book tells the story of a curious baby bird who one day, sitting in her nest waiting for her mother bird to return with food, ignores her mother’s wish to not leave the nest and ends up falling to the ground below. Her mother returns and finds her, telling her she is a “boosh bird,” meaning a bird who neglects the advice of her mother.

After growing up in a three-generation household enriched with storytelling, Mosley, who is of African-American and Native American descent, was destined to get one of the stories told by her grandmother published for her kids at the Magnet School to read.

Robin Nelson, a mother of two kids who previously attended the school, knew Mosley well and was beyond fulfilled to help her live her dream, and not only helped illustrate, but recommended her story to be published through Learning Rock Press.

“One day last year, I was at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School having just read one of our books to several classes during the Read Across America program and I ran into Cinderella,” Nelson said. “My two children had attended the Magnet School about 20 years ago and Cinderella had been a teacher’s aide in their classes. I had done a lot of volunteering in their classes, so I knew Cinderella well. She came up to me and said, ‘I have a book I’d like to publish.’”

The process of finding a publisher was not easy for Mosley until she reconnected with Nelson. The two discussed the idea with first grade teacher Shiala Higgs to determine which of Mosley’s stories would be the best to publish first.

“We sat down with a bunch of her stories,” Nelson said. “The story of the Boosh Bird jumped out at us and it was a perfect one.”

Mosley said it was very hard to find a trustworthy publisher to get the book published.

“Robin and my teacher Shiala Higgs jumped right on it, and worked long hours to make sure that it would get published,” Mosley said. “It put tears in my eyes that knowing these caring educators would help me complete my dream, and also help students to be successful in their interest of reading and writing. My students made the light shine on this book when I promised one day to write this book.”

Mosley believes that this 28-page book is still relevant for kids today.

“Students love stories that are luscious, interesting and exciting,” Mosley said. “It helps them learn how to be good in writing stories. When a book has meaning, fun and imaginary thought, the student will appreciate the love of reading and writing their thoughts of completing their reading activities.”

The life lesson-filled book “Boosh Bird” sets a great example for why stories should be shared with everyone after they are passed down.

Andrew Hubschman is a Times intern and Mitchell College student.