The book began as a list of 13 fundamental principals for professional houseparents. Financial donors were so generous in giving to the Oblong Children’s Christian Home that the author wanted to give something back to the donors.  A one page description of each of the 13 principles was created and mailed with giving receipts.  The description could not be one word longer than would fit on a single page so every word was carefully selected.  Today’s busy readers will benefit from this effort to be brief.