Every parent knows the scene: a child’s nose begins to run, and instead of reaching for a tissue, they wipe it on their sleeve with a mischievous grin. What is usually met with frustration can, as Cheryl C. Walls shows in Child Life Lesson 101: The Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy, A Toot, and The Snoggles, become a playful opportunity to teach hygiene, self-awareness, and imagination.
Walls explains, “Snoggles love children, big and small, but sometimes they’re curious and run away without a care at all.” With this simple, whimsical line, she transforms an everyday annoyance into a story that sparks laughter and engagement. In The Snoggles, tiny, mischievous creatures appear whenever children sneeze or have the sniffles. Instead of scolding a child, parents can invite them to help the Snoggles find their way home—using a tissue, of course.
For children ages three to eight, this approach is especially effective. At this age, abstract instructions like “stay clean” or “use a tissue” can feel boring or meaningless. By weaving lessons into playful storytelling, Walls ensures children participate willingly. One memorable rhyme captures the spirit of the story:
“So if you have a running nose or a big fat sneeze,
Don’t just rub it on your shirt or sleeve.
Say, ‘Hey! I’ve got some Snoggles. Could you bring me a tissue, please?’”
Children are invited to join in, turning responsibility into fun. Walls’s approach shows her deep understanding of how stories can shape behavior. Instead of compliance through fear, children are motivated by empathy and imagination. The lesson sticks because it is tied to play and connection.
Walls has long had a gift for finding magic in ordinary experiences. In her earlier stories, The Freckle Gifting Tooth Fairy and A Toot, she transforms everyday moments—losing a tooth or passing a toot—into memorable lessons delivered with humor and heart. The Snoggles continues this tradition, teaching children about cleanliness, empathy, and self-awareness without ever feeling forced.
The warmth of the story also comes from Walls’s personal experience as a mother. In the dedication, she recalls her daughter Meredith, whose curiosity and imagination inspired these tales. As Walls reflects, “When adults meet children in their world of imagination, the lessons learned go deeper. Play becomes learning, and laughter becomes understanding.”
Ultimately, The Snoggles is about more than sneezes and tissues—it’s about connecting with children in ways that make life’s messy moments delightful. Parents and children alike are reminded that humor and imagination can transform the everyday into memorable, teachable adventures.