New York, U.S.A. – Random House Children’s Books launches Choose Kind, a campaign to encourage students, educators, families, and readers of all ages to combat the nationwide rise in bullying with every day acts of kindness, it was announced by Chip Gibson, President and Publisher. The initiative was inspired by “Wonder”, the debut novel by R. J. Palacio, which tells the story of Auggie, a fifth grader with a facial deformity who attends a mainstream school for the first time.

“Wonder has inspired us, and captured our hearts entirely,” said Gibson. “The outpouring of enthusiasm from book lovers and educators moved us to share the poignant message of this novel with a wider audience. I am proud to give them, and anyone around the world, the opportunity to discover the story and to pledge with us to Choose Kind.”

ChooseKind.tumblr.com is the online home of the campaign, designed as a next step for the ardent supporters of the novel who have been asking for additional resources to use in sharing “Wonder” and its message with families, schools, and communities across the country. Each section of the site offers an interactive user experience.

• Share: Fans can contribute a post, ranging from personal experiences of being bullied to moments where they wished they had stood up for someone else.
• Sign the Pledge: Pledge to Choose Kind in an effort to end bullying, and print a certificate to display.
• The Book: Watch the trailer for “Wonder”, read reviews, and find links to the novel’s social media channels.
• The Author: Read about R. J. Palacio, and how to connect with her on Twitter and Tumblr.
• Resources: A Digital Toolkit of stickers and Web badges, as well as links to other anti-bullying efforts such as the It Gets Better project and the National Education Association’s Bully Free: It Starts with Me.

Additionally, the campaign will have a global footprint with full support from Random House UK, which will publish “Wonder” for adult readers on June 6, 2012, following its release as a children’s novel in March.

“Celebrating those who have made the choice to be kind—not always an easy thing to do when you’re a kid!—is the best way to raise awareness to this very simple fact: kindness is a virtue whose ripple effects can literally change the world,” says “Wonder” author R. J. Palacio. “One child at a time, one person at a time, there’s no greater antidote to bullying than the steadfast refusal of children, teachers, and parents to accept a culture where bullying is tolerated.”

A word-of-mouth sensation from the start, with its Twitter hashtag, #thewonderofwonder, the book has also been the topic of countless blog posts from parents, teachers, and librarians praising its ability to relay a universal message from the story of one unique boy. Clara Beatty, a nine-year-old girl with Treacher-Collins Syndrome, was already reading “Wonder” when the Associated Press spoke with her and her family for a recent feature. Her parents Janet and Eric were impressed with Palacio’s skill in realistically portraying Auggie’s experience, noting “As a family with a child of facial difference, ‘Wonder’ gives an amazingly accurate view of our world from a number of perspectives. We are hopeful that this story raises awareness of how being kind can be powerful.”

The article Random House: ‘Wonder’ Inspires Anti-Bullying Campaign appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Cox is launching a multi-faceted anti-bullying public service campaign in response to the growing problem of youth bullying in Virginia. This program will reach parents and children, while providing tools needed to successfully cope with bullying. This effort is in coordination with the premiere of Cox Channel 11′s “Plugged-In: Breaking the Bully Culture” special.

The program will premiere on Sunday, November 20, at 8 p.m. Also, radio personalities from several radio stations in the Hampton Roads market are partnering with Cox to share important information on bullying. Nick Taylor and Tricia Harris Friddell from Z104; Chuck Doudand Mary Kathryn Wood from The Point, Teresa Baker from R&B-FM; and Jenna Kehoe from 2WD will appear in the television advertisements intended to raise awareness of the problem of bullying.

Also, free informational resource cards and “Take Charge! Stop the Bullying” wristbands will be available at all Cox Solutions Stores for kids and parents during this campaign. These materials address the warning signs of youth bullying and offer advice for kids on how to better deal with bullying situations and behaviors.

Gary McCollum, SVP & General Manager of Cox Communications said, “The statistics which show how many of our kids are being bullied, are alarming. Our goal is to bring more general awareness to this important issue, and to arm both children and parents with resources to face and overcome it.”

Research from the National Center for Bullying Prevention, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, was used to develop the materials for this public service effort. The following are statistics which are most prominent in the findings:

• One in every four kids is bullied frequently
• Only twenty-five to fifty percent of those children report the bullying
• This is a growing problem and quickly becoming an epidemic in this country.

McCollum adds, “Cox Communications is committed to supporting youth and education, and we are proud to launch this state-wide campaign.”

“Plugged In: Breaking the Bully Culture” Special on Cox 11

Cox Channel 11 will air another episode of its award-winning show “Plugged In: Breaking the Bully Culture” on Sunday. This special will give viewers a closer look at the impact of bullying behaviors on young people.

The show is hosted by Z104 morning radio personality, Nick Taylor, who speaks with students from Crittenden and Passage Middle Schools about the bullying behaviors they face everyday. Experts throughout Virginia who specialize in the advocacy for bullying prevention also join the discussion.

• Dr. Catherine Moffett , Associate Professor, Counselor Education, VCU
• Dr. Tawyna Pettiford-Wates , Founder & Director, The Conciliation Project
• Donzell Lewis , The Conciliation Project
• Janelle Spitz, Principal, Passage Middle School
• Patrice Lambusta , Library Media Specialist, Passage Middle School
• Tanya Graham , Teacher, Crittenden Middle School
• Nicholas Diggs , Teacher, Crittenden Middle School
• Deborah Christian , Certified Trainer, The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Participating in this production is a panel of bullying prevention experts from across the state including advisors from Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Departments of Health and Education, and the National Center for the Prevention of Bullying.

Students from Passage Middle School and Crittenden Middle school were part of the interactive audience of the ‘Plugged In’ special hosted by Z104′s Nick Taylor. Tips and information sharing for subscribers will also occur regularly on the Cox Facebook and Twitter pages during the campaign.

There will be additional airings of this show throughout December and January on Cox 11 Hampton Roads, Cox 9 Roanoke, and the program will be available On Demand channel 2069.

The article Cox Communications to Launch Anti-Bullying Campaign in Virginia appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.