Each month The Be Nice Program will introduced the book of the month. Each story will give a example to children on ways to end bullying and promote kindness. At the end of the month we will review each book, talk about the children feedback, and things we learned from each book!
Book of the Month (April 2020)
You, Me, and Empathy
This book helps teach children about empathy, feelings, kindness, compassion, tolerance, respect and recognizing bullying behaviors. A little boy named Quinn models the meaning of empathy through this story. He helps shows the understanding of feelings, compassion, and kindness towards others. Empathy is truly a learnt trait and it is very important that we teach not only children but each other how to use it.
Meet the Author
Jayneen Sanders is not only a experienced author but a mother of three, teacher, and a passionate advocate for teaching respectful relationships. She is also lead author of Engage Literacy published by Capstone Classroom, and has had published over 100 stories for children. Jayneen feels passionately that we can do so much more to keep our children safe by teaching them age-appropriate and empowering prevention education.
Book of the Month (March 2020)
Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
Llama Llama loves school specially playing with her friends. Gilroy Goat doesn't seem to like anyone and he is very mean to Llama Llama. Llama Llama tells her teacher that Gilroy Goat is being mean to her and they find a way to stand up to Gilroy Goat and change his bad behavior to good. This book helps show how to handle bullying with guidence towards the younger generations.
Meet the Author
Anna Dewdney is the author and illustrator for the Llama Llama books. She is a teacher, mother, and proponent of reading aloud to children. Anna began writing and painting throughout her world which even included her two daughters. Anna said “I think children are far more like animals than they are like adults,” She also believes that “Small children are ‘unadulterated’ beings. They experience and recognize feelings in themselves and others much like animals do, without all that other stuff on top.”
Book of the Month (February 2020)
Bee Heartful
Spread Loving Kindness is a delightful addition to Frank Sileo's earlier books Bee Still and Bee Calm. In the enchanted garden where they live, children will again meet Bentley Bee and his friends. These garden charmers teach how to send love, good wishes, kindness, and compassion to others.
Meet the Author
Frank J. Sileo is a New Jersey licensed psychologist and is the founder and executive director of The Center for Psychological Enhancement. He writes books that reach out towards young reader and their caregivers that help a negative situation turn into a positive.
Book of the Month (January 2020)
JUICE BOX BULLY
The Be Nice Program is happy to say that the book of the month is ... JUICE BOX BULLY!! This story empowers students to no longer be a bystander when bullying is going down. The kids at Pete's new school decided to get involved when the Juice box mess becomes more then another messy shirt. They soon teach Pete about "The Promise" they have made, making Pete decided if he really wants to be a bully in the end!
Meet the Author
When Maria was a little girl she was teased for her curly hair and favorite lunchbox fare, spaghetti in a hot dog bun. Many moons later, these and other real-life moments continue to fuel what is now her critically acclaimed children’s book writing career. Maria has penned ten books that feature stories with topics ranging from anti-bullying to overcoming adversity, to friendship trials and tribulations, and beyond. Maria is dedicated to empowering those around her through her roles as author, teacher, public speaker, community leader, and friend. Maria is intentional about making each day count and lives in southeast Michigan with her high school sweetheart husband, three kids, and two pet snails.
Book of the Month (December 2019) Santa's Bully Elf
The Be Nice Program is excited to say that the book of the month is Santa's Bully Elf! The saying is that a mans best friend is a dog, and well the big man himself (Santa) can agree. When Sparky, a Golden Retriever who helps Santa Claus track bullies, looks into his magical telescope, he spots Isabella and Anthony. These two children are on the naughty list because they are mean and unkind to other kids at school. Sparky must leave his post at Lookout Tower to convince these two children to behave or Santa will fly past their home on Christmas Eve without stopping. Of course, no one has EVER heard of a dog as an elf, so Isabella and Anthony take some convincing. When the children arrive at the North Pole, Santa plans a surprise visit to help them understand the effects of their bullying. One look through the magical telescope, and they are shocked by what they see!
Meet the Author
Victoria Ann Devine is a teacher, owner of a private tutoring business, and author of the well-known children’s book Santa’s Bully Elf. She was a “Leading Lady” in South Jersey Magazine’s list of Most Notable Women, honored by Women of Distinction Magazine, and recognized by The Courier Post. Victoria is an advocate for many bullying organizations and promotes an anti-bullying message at elementary schools. Bullying is a global issue that can have long-term effects on a child, and her first book communicates the significance of this type of intimidation. “My book was written for elementary school aged children to teach them how wrong and hurtful bullying is to others through a familiar narrative of the holiday season,” Devine said. “As an author, I wanted children to understand that everyone should be treated the same. Our society spends too much time analyzing and judging others. We need to be more accepting of everyone, especially since we live in an extremely diverse world.”