Wednesday, May 7
The husband and wife team Ted Slawski and Dorothy Firman, long time residents of Amherst, are the primary co-authors of the newly published Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul: Celebrating the Bond That Connects Generations, the latest book in the NY Times best selling Chicken Soup for Soul series.

Ted Slawski and Dorothy Firman have been married for thirty-three years. They've lived in Amherst for most of that time, raising three children, all grown now. Dorothy (many know her as Didi) is a psychotherapist and founder and director of the Synthesis Center in Amherst. Ted is a computer consultant. Didi has been involved with Chicken Soup books before, co-authoring Chicken Soup for the Mother and Daughter Soul and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating Mothers and Daughters. Both of these books were co-authored with her mother, Julie Firman and sister, Frances Firman Salorio, also Amherst residents. Now husband and wife join together to co-author the latest Chicken Soup book, Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul. Their own experience raising two sons, having a son-in-law and, of course watching the father/son relationship in their own families growing up, has given

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them a unique perspective on this powerful and formative relationship.

The Amherst connection does not end there however. Jack Canfield, one of the founders of the Chicken Soup series, started his professional life in the Valley, living in Leverett for many years and getting his master's degree at University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Adding to the family dynamic, Win Firman, Didi's father has authored several of the stories in this book. And one more Amherst connection: Ted Diamond, local and well-loved veterinarian and Amherst resident has also authored a story for this book!

Ted and Dorothy selected over 75 of the finest stories they could find from thousands of other potential stories to be included in Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul because of its unique and special ability to touch your heart and allow you to experience the father and son relationship.

The Chicken Soup for the Soul books were first published in 1993 and quickly rose to number one on the New York Times bestseller list. With over 100 million copies sold and 145 titles in 37 languages, Chicken Soup for the Soul has made international publishing history and garnered numerous prestigious awards for creators, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.