It is written like a fairy tale, yet the events are realistic. The moral of the story is that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things. It is meant to inspire young children to go out and do what they can do to make the world a better place. Although the story is fictional, the events are based on personal and historical events in Diane's life. In fact, her father still resides in the house and village where the story is set, in Fosters, Michigan.