'GIFTS' SPREAD WITH WAND, WORDS.

Byline: - Nancy Hewitt

Children are special. But parents often get so involved in the details of living that they forget to tell their kids how valuable and special they are.

When Charlene Costanzo was a young mother, she wondered if she had adequately prepared her daughters for all of life's demands. Had she given them enough guidance? Did they feel valuable?

One night her answer came in a dream: ``The Twelve Gifts of Birth,'' which she has turned into a book. The book reveals the secret that the fairy godmothers of long ago yearned to tell all children. All children are given wonderful gifts at birth: strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love and faith.

Costanzo initially assembled the gifts in handmade books for her then teen-age daughters, later deciding to share them with others. She tried to sell the book, but was rejected by many publishers. Undaunted, Costanzo formed Featherfew and self-published the book. More than 300,000 books have been sold since publication.

Now Costanzo and her husband, Frank, are on a mission. The Polished Stones Tour began July 1999 in Phoenix. The couple have traveled more than 30,000 miles in their motorhome sharing the message that everyone is valuable.

With each group of kids - and adults - she meets, Costanzo says: ``I wrote this book for my own children because I wanted them to know how valuable they are. Now I am here to share this with you. That you are important, too. (The book) focuses on your value no matter who you are.''

Costanzo says one of the best things about meeting young children is watching how they react to her presentation. She says she likes watching their eyes and seeing their heads nod in recognition when she says something they can identify with.

And after the presentation? ``I quite often get spontaneous hugs,'' she says.

Simple props, such as a magic wand, encourages youngsters to use their imaginations, one of the 12 gifts listed in her book. ``I tell them it's not real when I wave it over them, yet they close their eyes. They're still young enough to believe in fairy tales.''

But this isn't just a book for kids. Adults appreciate it as well. Costanzo says when she visits shelters and talks to adults who were abused as children, many remark that the book is healing for them.

Still she never deviates from her goal: to help build children's self- esteem and remind them that they have special abilities. ``Kids are misled (into believing that) only superheroes or celebrities have talent,'' she says. ``(We) need to send the message that everyone has a lot of special abilities.''

Even so, she reminds them that sometimes it takes a bit of digging to find those talents. ``It's like being on a treasure hunt to find all the abilities you have and use them,'' she says.

After each presentation, Costanzo gives everyone in attendance a keepsake. ``I bring polished stones to every presentation. I give everyone a stone before they leave. I want to offer something concrete. Stones are all shapes and colors just like people.''

Why stones? ``Polished stones are meant to remind you that you are lovable and valuable,'' she says.

``The Twelve Gifts of Birth'' is available at local bookstores for $19.95. It can also be ordered by phone: [phone] or online: www.featherfew.com.

Costanzo is appearing at 7 p.m. Monday at Once Upon a Time bookstore, 2284 Honolulu, Montrose. Information: [phone].

Go a little buggy 

Butterflies are back - by popular demand. And you can find them flitting about in the Pavilion of Wings at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Saturday through Sept. 4.

Marvel at more than 20 species of butterflies, including the Monarch, American Painted Lady and Zebra Long Wing. Make sure to check out the Luna Moth, known for its large wingspan and green color.

For the Pavilion of Wings: A Live Butterfly Experience, admission is $3 adults; $2 students and seniors; $1 children ages 5 to 12; children under age 5 free. The museum is at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. Information: [phone].

Spanish heritage

Bilingual storyteller Alina Mendez presents a lively 40-minute free program just for kids at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Platt Branch Library, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills. Information: [phone].

- Nancy Hewitt