A Waunakee couple is hoping books will bring comfort to kids in traumatic or crisis situations.

"These are what we've created, it's called a B.A.C.K. packet," said Paul Gilbertson. Paul and his wife, Chris, came up with the idea of Become A Cheerful Kid packets. They're colorful bags filled with books that can be found in the back of squad cars and ambulances.

Madison Assistant Chief Randy Gaber says when Gilbertson came to him and other law enforcement officers with the idea of B.A.C.K. packets, he jumped on the idea. "It provides officers the opportunity to take children's books right out of their squad cars and then hand them to the kids," said Asst. Chief Gaber.

The idea is to have books to offer children who are in a crisis situation. It's something that can keep them occupied while police deal with the immediate needs of the crisis call and can also help kids keep their minds off what's going on around them. "I look at this really as an educational escape where they can kind of separate themselves from all those events that are taking place around them and really look and try to take that as a welcomed distraction from those stresses," said Asst. Chief Gaber.

"It occupies their mind for a half hour, 45 minutes and then hopefully by that time their immediate crisis has been diffused and it's not such a bad situation," explained Paul.

B.A.C.K. packets can be found in 350 squad cars or ambulances in Dane County. Madison police have been using the books for about a month and so far, it's a big hit. "It puts officers in a positive contact situation with the children and the families and we really feel there is nothing but good that can come from something like that," said Asst. Chief Gaber.

"There's just been such overwhelming response from the officers out on the street and just hearing their stories come in has just been heartwarming," said Chris.

The Gilbertson's say they're glad the books are helping police do their job and helping kids find and educational escape from what's going on around them. "Reading is such an avenue that leads kids in an upward path verses all the other negativity that's out there in the world," said Paul.

Paul Gilbertson is an author and has donated several books. He's contacted publishers from throughout the country for book donations for the program as well. Next month he will take this program to the State Police Chiefs Association to see if he can implement the program throughout the state. He hopes to get this program up and running nationwide as soon as possible. To learn more about this project and other projects the Gilbertson's are working on click on the web address below.

http://www.withwingsandahalo.org