NAPLES, Fla., April 22, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years. It has been found that bullying behavior causes short- and long-term damage for both the bully and the victim. An innovative new children's book, A Bully Grows Up: Erik Meets The Wizard, offers a unique perspective as author Caryn Sabes Hacker brilliantly explores this universal issue. Through the eyes of a bully, readers join a young boy's adventurous journey as he transforms his life from menacing intimidator to maturing young man following an encounter with a dangerous dragon and a compassionate wizard.
Ten-year-old Erik has been arguing with his sister when his mother angrily intervenes and sends him to his room. He falls asleep and begins a magical and enlightening journey involving a kind, parental wizard and a dangerous fire-breathing dragon. Erik must confront his bullying attitude and behavior and accept the wizard's advice to successfully think his way through this dilemma and, ultimately, save his own life. Through the course of this delightful and humorous story, Erik develops more compassionate values and learns to trust his intellectual abilities. With the wizard's positive encouragement, Erik learns to use his "brain" before his "brawn"!
Blending sound psychological methods, compelling storytelling ability, and amazing illustrations, A Bully Grows Up: Erik Meets the Wizard identifies the problem behind bullying and offers insight and healing for the children affected. While other books focus on the victim and propose assertiveness concepts and self-esteem builders, this Royal Palm Literary Award Winner focuses on the bully, his motivation and thought processes, and offers the information through a delightful and magical tale. As Dr. Foster Cline, co-author of The Parenting with Love and Logic series states: "Caryn Hacker's delightful fable clarifies the way in which character development flowers using metaphors that will be both exciting and uplifting to all children. This is a book that every parent and child will enjoy reading."
About the Author
Caryn Sabes Hacker, ACSW, DCSW, began writing books and articles for growing minds during her 23-year career as a psychotherapist and a motivational speaker. Her presentation topics include parenting, stress reduction, positive discipline, medical marriage, effective communication, work and family balance, and helping bullies heal. Caryn presently lives in Naples, Florida. Her next book will focus on the concepts of love and sharing for young children.
Silvere Boureau, the illustrator, came to the United States from Paris, France, in 1982, when he fell in love with the American landscape. Since then his landscape murals and paintings have been commissioned for private homes and public spaces such as Tiffany & Co. and McGraw Hill. He was recently featured on HGTV's Modern Masters Series.
A Bully Grows Up: Erik Meets The Wizard -- By Caryn Sabes Hacker
Publication Date: January 17, 2005
Trade Paperback; $17.99; 42 pages; 1-4134-1912-7
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 835. Tearsheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Rob Gonzales. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 876.
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