Pete Iole

MARS — Pete Iole of Mars has spent most of his life trying to shape the minds of children, spending 35 years in the education field.

Now retired, Iole learned a thing or two during his career about dealing with young people's problems and how to effectively communicate with them.

An avid writer by nature, Iole, 78, took many of the topics and lessons and put them in writing, which has manifested itself into a self-published book titled "Passport to Growing Up: Conversations with the Children in Your Family."

More than 200 books already are printed, and Iole is now pitching his book to publishers to get it into major bookstores. The book is available for $15 at the Mars Travel Service and the Mars Area Public Library, both on Grand Avenue.

Iole believes kids today have too much to distract them — iPods, cellular phones and computers — from communicating not only with parents, but peers.

He hopes his book helps to open communication and dialogue between children and the people who care for them.

"With this book, I would like to bring ages, both young and old together," he said.

"'Passport' is designed to help make the inevitable more comfortable or less painful," said Iole. "Growing up is never easy, but you can take comfort in knowing that even the wisest adult was once a scared and innocent child. We have all made our share of mistakes along the way."

Iole has worked as an elementary and secondary teacher, a high school counselor, elementary principal, junior high school assistant principal and high school principal.

He has worked in schools in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Germany, Spain, Palma de Majorca, Italy and Venezuela.

He most recently worked for the Pine-Richland School District.

Iole's teaching experience in foreign countries was the result of being formerly employed by the U.S. Department of Defense overseas school system, serving the dependent children of members of the armed services.

He is fluent in a number of languages, including Spanish and Italian.

In addition to "Passport to Growing Up," he also has completed a pictorial history of his father's birthplace, an autobiography, a book of poetry and several books of plays, stories, essays and personal adventures to pass onto his grandchildren.

As a hobby, Iole has had roles in more than 40 local theatrical productions, including Ben Franklin in "1776." As an offshoot of this, Iole enjoys visiting local elementary schools with an interpretation of Franklin, the venerable printer, author, scientist and statesman.

The book "Passport to Growing Up" gives people the opportunity to say what is in their heart to someone who will listen and respond with caring affection, said Iole.

"This transfer of love and concern and sharing of experiences is like two people tossing a ball between them. Each one gets a chance to throw and to catch," he added.

The object of the book's lessons, which are divided into several parts by grade, is to "share ideas in a healthful, sincere and inviting way," according to Iole.

The book deals with a number of topics all parents face, including temper tantrums, dreams, crying, fear, the spoiled brat, tolerance, embarrassment, respect and self-reliance.

"The honest dialogue will be very revealing and enlightening," said Iole.