Title: The Path, Caramel, and Lucy
Author: Feridoon Malekzadeh
Published: February 2025
Short Description:
A modern fable about resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace change, The Path, Caramel, and Lucy seamlessly integrates key principles from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Lucy, a determined traveler, has always relied on straight paths—until she reaches a place where straight is no longer enough. Guided by an unexpected encounter and a tiny voice she long ignored, Lucy must confront her deepest fears and learn to see beyond black-and-white thinking. Observe. Accept. Adapt. This is what Lucy must learn to do. This introspective and inspiring story blends allegory with practical DBT wisdom, offering a fresh perspective on mindfulness, emotional flexibility, and the power of visualization.
Ages: 7 – 12
Buy a copy: The Path, Caramel, and Lucy ( $1.99 )
Listen to a free audio version: MP3, M4A, WAV
Full Summary:
Lucy has always known one way forward — straight ahead. In a world where roads build themselves as you walk, she’s relied on her ability to push through obstacles, believing that persistence alone will get her where she needs to go. But when she reaches an impassable landscape of canyons and rock walls, her once-reliable path fails her. Frustrated and lost, Lucy must face the truth: she’s reached the limits of what she knows.
With only her tiny companion, Caramel, and the cryptic wisdom of a mysterious old woman, Lucy embarks on a journey of transformation. For the first time, she must question everything she believed about control, success, and failure. As she struggles to break free from rigid thinking, she discovers that the real power isn’t in forcing the world to bend — but in changing something within herself to allow her to see new paths before they appear.
Lucy’s journey mirrors the struggle many face when trying to break free from black-and-white thinking and embrace the unknown. Integrating core Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, radical acceptance, and cognitive flexibility (observe, accept, and adapt), this story provides readers with a gentle yet powerful guide to navigating life’s challenges.
A poignant and thought-provoking tale, The Path, Caramel, and Lucy weaves psychological insight with an enchanting narrative, making it an ideal read for those on a journey of self-discovery, emotional growth, or healing.
Perfect for fans of: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, and DBT Skills Training Handouts & Worksheets by Marsha Linehan.
