Unstumped! Think Through and Solve Almost Any Problem

By Carol Clifton, PhD

Twins Josie and Josh are stumped about what to get their mother for her birthday. Big brother Josh helps them learn how to brainstorm and use a decision tree to find their best solution. Josie gets all excited when she realizes she can use a decision tree for all kinds of problems. Even their mother is intrigued by the process.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carol Clifton, PhD
• Release date: Nov 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781947272033

Carol Clifton, PhD

Dr. Carol Clifton, a licensed psychologist in the Portland, Oregon area, has been treating trauma, depression, anxiety and working with couples for 30 years. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Dr. Clifton worked in magazine publishing and public relations with the National Safety Council, and in book publishing and advertising with NavPress. While at NavPress, she began working at a half-way house for troubled teens as a volunteer and then as a staff person. When she moved to Oregon, she taught journalism and writing at Warner Pacific College. She found herself counseling again, and eventually went on to get her doctorate in psychology.

Book preview

The Problem

I’m stumped, said Josie.

She sat on a big tree stump and swung her legs. From her perch, she could see a long way down the Oregon hillside covered with tree stumps. Ferns and tangled vines filled spaces between the stumps except for a path that wound among them. She gazed across the road into the uncut natural forest without really seeing the splashes of colorful fall leaves among the evergreens. Finally she focused her gaze on her companion.

I’m stumped, too, said her twin brother Josh. He hopped up on a tree stump near her, and prepared to jump to another. What’s stumping you?

I’m stumped about what to get Mommy for her birthday, Josie said with a sigh. She put her elbow on her knee and rested her head on her hand, thinking. The afternoon sun was bright overhead. It warmed her even though autumn cooled the air.

Me, too, said Josh. What are we going to do? I don’t have any ideas. Daddy’s out of town. He usually buys something for us to give her. He left so fast when Granny got sick and had to have surgery. I think he forgot.

Mommy’s birthday is only two days away, Josie sighed. Daddy won’t be back by then. And I don’t have any money.

Just then their big brother Jake came up to them, his backpack and camera casually slung over his shoulder.

What’s up? he asked.

We’re stumped, the twins replied in unison.

I can see that, Jake said as he looked around at