Our mission is to encourage a love of reading in children and re-ignite the love in you.
"There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book."
Frank Serafini
Manner-Man is a fun book that will teach children about good manners, being a
friend, not being a bully and standing up for what's right. These are all
lessons that our children need to hear again and again. It is written in rhyme.
Who doesn't love a book with a superhero? The awesome illustrations will keep
your children's interest. Another great book by Ms. Cannon
Synopsis
"I am strong, and my flash is bright, And I will defend you and make things all right." These are the magic words to call upon Manner-Man - a superhero who can help control bullies and teach children ways to be considerate of others. Manner-Man arrives, shouting "To the Rescue", helping children learn about sharing and warning about not 'hitting with words.' He teaches that if someone starts pushing, just shout out "not nice!" Meet the children who form the Manner-Man team and find out how to join! Manner-Man incorporates messages and characters found within some of Cannon's earlier books - helping children learn how to cope with bullies and look within themselves for their inner superhero!
Sherrill does it again! She has written another great book that will teach children morals in an enjoyable, non preachy way. Gimme-Jimmy is beautifully rhymed story about a bully named Jimmy. He snatches and takes what is not his. He never asks. He is very rude and always demanding "Gimme". He learns a valuable lesson when his hand swells to an enormous size. He must be polite and not say "Gimme" for his hand to return to its normal size.
My favorite part is Jimmy's New Polite Rule:
"To try to treat others as I'd like to be,
To try to see things the way others might see,
To try to be helpful, and do what is right,
And to try at all times to be very polite!"
The illustrations, as always, are excellent. I have used this in therapy with my young clients and one of my four year old clients now wants to read it every session. We say the polite rule and she chimes in very loudly the last word of every sentence. Great job, Ms Cannon!
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
My 33rd birthday was Monday and I was sitting back contemplating my life. Where I have been and where I am going. I couldn't help but remember a very hard time in my life. This is weighing heavily on my heart so I will share with you. I was in the 9th grade. I went to a private school. My parents worked themselves to the bone to make sure my sister and I had the best education possible which meant we wore clothes from the thrift store. We had a raggedy car that backfired everytime my mother came to pick me up from school. I was bullied. I was called names, spit on, pushed around and vicious rumors made up about me. There were other terrible things done to me that I will not mention. I would hide in the bathroom during lunch. Although I was nowhere near fat I became anorexic.
I contemplated suicide several times and even attempted. Then one day a wonderful man, Dr Fehl, noticed me. He took me under his wing. He shared lunch with me, he opened his door to me anytime I wanted to talk. He shared with me that in me he saw a leader and a person who would change the world. He gave me hope. If it wasn't for this man I would not be here. I would not have two wonderful and beautiful daughters. I would not have been there for the many clients that have shared vulnerable parts of their lives with me. Dr. Fehl was a school counselor but you don't have to be a counselor to notice someone in pain and help them find the help they need.
I share this with you because bullying is topic that is close to my heart. Almost every research paper I have written since 1997 has been about bullying, bullycide and prevention. One of the reason I decided to become a therapist was so that I could be the light in the darkness for a lost child or aolescent with no hope. I hope that one day I could start some type of program to empower victims of bullying. In 1993 they did not have a term for what I went through and almost succeeded in, but now they call it bullycide.
Bullying is a problem that affects millions of children and adolescents of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds. The consequences can seriously affect the victim for the rest of their lives. It is a silent killer. Everyday someone choses to take their life instead of facing another day of bullying. I beg you to take notice of your children and the children around you. Some signs that they are being bullied are: If your child or teen is being bullied they may exhibit symptoms of withdrawal, depression and anxiety. If they have missing or damaged items, physical bruises and other outward signs of abuse, these are apparent signs of bullying. Other signs of bullying include:
Has change in eating habits
Makes excuses not to go to school
Has fewer friends
Feels helpless
Talks about suicide
Acts out of character
Avoids certain places or playing outside alone
Feels like they are not good enough
Has trouble sleeping
Blames themselves for their problems
Prevention is the best way to prevent suicide or bullycide. Things you can do to help are: Talk to them about what is happening with them. Make sure they know they can always come to you for help no matter what. Make a safety plan with them on what to do when they are feeling unsafe. Even if your child is not a victim of bullying, teach them about it and the signs. They are more likely to notice changes in their peers.
NEVERBE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT SUICIDE. NEVER BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT. NEVER BE AFRAID TO CARE. YOU MAY SAVE A LIFE!
This is dedicated to Dr Fehl. Not only did you save my life but by doing so you have touched the lives of others through me. Thank you!
How old are you? I am 6 years old, but I will be 7 on October 9th.
What made you want to write "Not Fat Because I Wanna Be"?
I wrote this book because I was being teased and bullied a lot.
Tell me what the book is about?
The book is about a fictional girl named Jessica who has a medical condition that makes her gain weight. She gets teased and bullied in school because she is bigger than the other kids. She is always sad and never wants to go to school because of it. So, one day she decides to stand up for herself and the bullying stopped. All the kids wanted to be her friend.
What would you like people to know about you?
I love to have fun, exercise, dance, sing, go to my karate class and play with my frisky and crazy yorkie-poo Diva.
What advice would you give other kids who would like to write a book?
I would tell other kids that it is fun to write a book. If you have a story in your mind, just tell it to your mom or dad and they can help you. It helps you inspire other kids.
What would you like other kids who may be different to know?
I want them to know that no one has the right to bully you. God made us all special and different from each other and if you are being bullied you need to tell someone. Tell your parents, your teachers or any grown person and they could help you.
Who do you go to for help when you're being bullied?
I went to my parents and they talked to the teachers and daycare providers.
What do you hope to accomplish with your book?
I hope that I can help other kids open up and talk about what they may be going through and that it can make bullies stop hurting people.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
When I grow up I want to be a chef or a daycare provider and I want to have lots of books out.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to read books, make up stories, dance, do Zumba with my mom and hang out with my dad and spend weekends at my cousins house.
What's next for LaNiyah?
Well, I just finished a coloring book called "Stand Up! Bully Busters...Coming to town" It's about Jessica and her pup Diva. They are superheroes that rescue kids who are being bullied. This book will be out in two weeks. And after that we will be working on cartoon just like the coloring book.
How can people learn more about you or get in touch with you?
They can come to my website and leave messages and comments. My mom always lets me read them. It is: www.NotfatbecauseIwannabe.com
Anything else you would like to share?
I would like to say, thank you Ms. Donalisa for having me today and we wish you much success on everything!LaNiyah
