New Picture Book by Blanche Dudley Helps Parents Gently Introduce Important Topic
Annapolis, MD (PRWEB) July 24, 2013 -- Award-winning teacher Dr. Blanche Dudley announces Siggy and the Bullies, the first picture book in a new series featuring Siggy, a lovable one-winged mockingbird. The series will address childhood issues of tolerance, diversity and self-esteem for 3- to 8-year-olds.
"Siggy and the Bullies" is a charming adventure with an important message about bullying for young children. When chased by bullies, Siggy’s quick thinking and talent for imitations help him turn the tables on his pursuers and win the admiration of his friends and adopted family. This deceptively simple tale contains powerful lessons of what to do in the face of bullying behavior.
Drawing on her education and experience, Dudley created discussion questions, included in the book, to help parents and other caregivers teach kids what bullying is and how to respond. The questions will also help educators use the book in a school environment to teach anti-bullying lessons.
A former educator and 1985 West Virginia Teacher of the Year, Dudley earned a doctorate in education at West Virginia University. “I wrote my dissertation on enhancing the self-esteem of middle school children. I draw on that for the substance of the lessons behind Siggy’s adventures,” she said.
Now living in Reston, Va., she found further inspiration close to home. “As I watched the birds in my back yard, I started to see how I could use them to create stories about bullying and self-esteem for younger readers," she said. "There are not many books for this age group that address these issues in practical terms. Besides all that, children tell me they think the stories are really fun!”
Siggy and the Bullies
Written by Blanche R. Dudley, Ed.D.
Illustrated by Lawrence Reynolds
Dog Ear Publishing, September 1, 2013
978-145751-994-9, Picture book, Ages 3-8
Distributed by: Baker & Taylor, Ingram
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Alan Harris, Dog Ear Publishing, (866) 823-9613, [email protected]
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