Rosey The Imperfect Angel: Album Notes. The idea of someone who is deaf, collaborating on the liner notes for a spoken word CD might seem strange to many people, but in many ways it is the very message of “Rosey The Imperfect Angel.” While growing up in Chicago suburbs, my parents expressed concern that life would be incredibly hard and overwhelming for a girl like myself who, like Rosey, was perceived as \"different.\" Like many parents before them, my parents refused doctors\' suggestions to institutionalize me as the best option. Ultimately, in that type of setting, when it was time for me to go to bed at night, there would be no one to say, \"I love you.\" So, rather than follow the doctors’ advice, my parents took matters into their own hands and refused to treat me differently than any child who was perceived as “perfect.\" This is the heart and spirit of “Rosey The Imperfect Angel.” It is the philosophy which allowed me to be the person I am today, and it is the message that is applicable to all the \"imperfect angels\" out there in the world. In reality, nobody is perfect. No matter how challenged our children are by the world, no child deserves less than unconditional love and respect. Too often, people get caught-up in the idea of physical perfection. Too often, it is only physical perfection that we use to judge ourselves and each other, and unfortunately it is a lesson that we learn early as children. Though it is a noble and lofty goal to want our children to be perfect, there are so many children, for whom perfection is not possible – whatever the reasons.    What options do these imperfect angels have? They can run and hide in their rooms, hoping the taunts of other children will fade or they can revel in the journey of Rosey, the Angel with the crooked little rosebud mouth. Though imperfect, Rosey eventually comes to realize she is truly the most beautiful little girl in the land. In the end, Rosey understands, as I did, that the real \"handicaps\" we face do not lie in our inability to walk, talk, hear, or even smile, but exist only in our minds. It is when we look beyond those \"handicaps\" and instead, embrace the spirit of love we each have in our hearts, do we (as does Rosey) discover that differences define the beauty in each of us. It\'s a message that Rosey takes home to her parents and it’s a message the children who share Rosey\'s story can embrace.   “Rosey The Imperfect Angel” is written by Sandra Lee Peckinpah for her daughter Julianne, who was born with a cleft lip. Sandy wanted her daughter to have a story of her own that would inspire confidence and help make her feel special as she navigated her way through life’s challenges. Rosey is an angel with a cleft lip and palate who lives in the land called Above. With Boss Angel\'s guidance and encouragement, Rosey overcomes the difficulties she faces in nurturing her hard frosty January garden, and teasing from the other angels. In this charming fairy tale, Rosey was at first unhappy and ashamed because she thought she was different from the other angels. However, with help from Boss Angel her different garden blooms gloriously and she realizes that everyone is different in their own unique way. She is, as Boss Angel says, \"perfectly different.\" For her achievement in reaching such an understanding she is rewarded by being chosen as the first angel to journey to the land called, Below. By using a fairy tale, the author appeals to children who are at an age when fantasy plays a major role in their life. “Rosey The Imperfect Angel” is entertaining and delightfully effective in imparting the age-old message that there is beauty in diversity and individuality. \"Rosey The Imperfect Angel\" is appealing to children and adults of all ages. The story will especially benefit cleft-affected children in two ways. First, by improving their own self esteem; and second - and most importantly - by educating their peers to become sensitive to children who are \"perfectly different.\" This fairy tale story has accomplished those two goals and more. Sandy Peckinpah teamed up with Melissa Gilbert (star of TV, film and stage including Little House on the Prairie, former President of the Screen Actors Guild, and Board President of the Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition) who performed readings of “Rosey The Imperfect Angel” to children across America. The story has received critical acclaim from the media and raving reviews in many publications including, among others the LA Times, Daily News, L.A Life, Chicago Tribune, and has been featured on television appearances. Fans around the world have been delighted by this sweet fairy tale which has inspired children of all ages to discuss tolerance and understanding. The story achieved the goal to make children realize that we are all different in some special way and that uniqueness is what makes each of us so special. Sandy Peckinpah made her story available around the world for children with facial anomalies and various disabilities. She wanted to help them understand how they too, along with Rosey, were special. Sandy’s remarkable story helps give children a boost of self-confidence so needed in a society that tends to judge people based on mere outward appearance. Sandy\'s daughter Julianne, now grown, is a strong, confident, young woman living a successful and normal social life. She is attending Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing in Los Angeles. Julianne\'s tremendous accomplishment is a credit to Sandy Peckinpah and to how she raised Julianne. Her story, \"Rosey The Imperfect Angel\" summarizes Sandy\'s message to all parents who are faced with similar challenges. The decision to adapt her story to an audio album was the next logical step to bring Sandy’s message to an expanded audience. The album, produced by Billboard charting recording artist Michael Alden, brings a new spirit to \"Rosey The Imperfect Angel.\" The wonderful narration of Melissa Gilbert and Michael Alden delivers the author\'s positive message in an entertaining and enjoyable way. Indeed they make it fun for children and adults to listen and hear the lesson Rosey learns. This audio version will leave no doubt in anyone’s mind why the entertaining fairy tale, \"Rosey The Imperfect Angel\" has for many years inspired and will continue to inspire children and families. The album features a beautiful and original instrumental composition, “Central Park,” performed and recorded by the legendary Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Michael Alden and David Michael Frank composed and arranged this outstanding orchestral composition specifically for this album. Central Park is where Rosey grows her special garden. The melody touches the heart and soul of the story while the arrangement reflects the feelings and journey that is portrayed in “Rosey The Imperfect Angel.” This album also features a special bonus. Michael Alden has an exclusive interview with Sandra Lee Peckinpah and her daughter Julianne Bell Peckinpah. The interview gives listeners a direct insight from the author and her daughter into the creation and history of this beloved story. The interview encourages parents to be proud of their children and offers valuable advice on raising a child who is “different.” Sandy discusses many challenges facing the parent and family of such children. She gives important information about topics ranging from insurance issues for medical and surgical treatments to building a child’s self-esteem and confidence. No one can tell better than Julianne, who recounts from her own personal experience, the emotional challenges a child encounters growing up with a facial abnormality. No one can better explain how to successfully and positively overcome those challenges – but Julianne does just that. Anyone who listens to this album, will understand the truth told in this fairy tale. There is beauty in imperfection and diversity. Rosey gives a positive, uplifting, morale strengthening, and confidence building message to all the “different” children, their parents, siblings, classmates and teachers. This album is for anyone who has ever felt even a little different. Every imperfect angel out there must be given the opportunity to love and be loved, and to stand equally among all others. Every imperfect angel should be able to embrace the words, \"You are the most beautiful little boy or girl in all the land!\" “Rosey The Imperfect Angel” is a tale told with real love and one that holds the promise of a happy ending. Marlee Matlin- Academy Award winning actress ‘“Children of a Lesser God,” author, public speaker, advocate. Michael Alden -Billboard Charting recording artist, writer, composer, producer, advocate.