Stew Leonard Jr, wife's book for kids promotes water safety.
By Matt Breslow
Staff Writer

(Article Reprinted from June 24, 2002 edition)
NORWALK - First came Huey, Dewey and Louie. Now Stewie can be added to the list of cartoon ducks.

But the story of how Kim and Stew Leonard Jr. created the character is based on a tragedy.

Stew Leonard Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Norwalk-based chain of dairy stores, and his wife recently published "Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim," a water-safety parable in which the leading character is named for their son, who drowned in 1989.

It happened while the family was vacationing on the Caribbean island of St. Martin. Kim Leonard noticed that 21-month-old Stew Leonard III was missing and asked her husband where the toddler was.

"About 10 seconds later, I just heard (Stew Jr.) scream and go diving into the pool," Kim Leonard said. "And that was it."

Stew Leonard said he and his wife were devastated. Shock and denial were followed by anger and blame.

"Some people don't get out of those stages. "They get stuck in them for long periods of time," Stew Leonard said.

After they healed - with help from their religion, a 3-year old daughter and support from loved ones - they decided to help others avoid what Stew called "the worst thing that could ever happen in your life."

In 1990, the couple founded the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, which raises more than $100,000 annually to provide swim lessons and equipment through local YMCAs and the Swim America program.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children 5 and younger, and more than half of those incidents occur during the summer. safety] in a fun way, said Leonard.

The book project started when child psychologist Lawrence Shapiro visited Stew Leonard's store earlier this year and an employee told him that Shapiro writes children's books. Stew Leonard said He and Shapiro discussed a possible story related to water safety.

Shapiro advised the Leonards on "Stewie the Duck" and wrote a message to parents as an after word.

The book teaches children not to go near the water before learning to swim, to wear a life vest and not to swim without adult supervision.

Stew Leonard Jr. wrote a song containing those tips, sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." A CD with a recording of the tune is included with the book.

Her husband has for years written and illustrated stories for his children, Kim Leonard said. Earlier this year, he put together a makeshift book called "Hiding From Mr. Sun" when one of his daughters had to avoid bright light after injuring her eye.

Though its authors said they agonized over word choices and tested the book on their daughters and students at a school in Greenwich, "Stewie the Duck" took little time to write, she said.

"It just fell together," she said.

"We've had years to think about it," her husband said.

"Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim" is available at Stew Leonard's stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Yonkers, NY and can be purchased online at www.stewleonards.com or by calling (800) SAY-STEW. Proceeds go to the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation.