There are many things to discuss about bullying this week: two new important studies, a brand new anti-bullying bill just passed by the Massachusetts legislature, and more incidents of serious bullying in the news and around the country, but out of all these subjects, I chose:
Everyone, no matter how old you or your kids are, go out and buy ONE by Kathryn Otoshi. Although it’s a book for young kids, you will be amazed at how this simple book with extraordinarily beautiful but simple illustrations illuminate the complicated issue of bullying as well as the hopeful and inspirational power of ONE.
It is exquisite.
Recently, Chef Jamie Oliver was honored with a TED Award for his advocacy work on behalf of kids and nutrition. Although his issue is combating obesity, there are parallels to the bullying issue. It’s about changing culture. He talks about each person’s responsibility to teach others about nutrition. He says in his speech, which you can see here, that if one person teaches three people about nutrition, it will only have to be repeated 25 times over to cover everyone in the U.S. I’m not very good at math but I trust Jamie. (His daughter’s name is “Poppy”. You have to love him.)
I’m telling you about ONE. And if you tell three people…you catch my drift.
Bullying prevention is SO important. This little book has a huge message and it does all the work for you. As a matter of fact, if older kids read it to younger kids, they get the message, too. Doubly good.
Not to give away the ending, but in closing…
Sometimes it just takes ONE.
