From Bullying to Harmony:
Understanding and Dealing with Bullying

May 25, 2013
Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, Arizona

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Kids Need to Read hosted a very well-attended anti-bullying presentation at Phoenix Comicon as part of our Kids-N-Peace program. The panel, From Bullying to Harmony: Understanding and Dealing with Bullying, was initiated and supported by Phoenix Comicon's Youth Programming Department, and featured KNTR Executive Director Denise Gary, author Tom Leveen (Party, Zero, manicpixiedreamgirl), author Susan Stoltz (Sharkey series) and her dog Sharkey, and Sgt. Darren Burch of Silent Witness. The goal of the presentation was to help families learn to deal with the pervasive menace of bullying. A free copy of the book, Jay McGraw's Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies, was provided to each family in attendance, courtesy of Kids Need to Read.

Photographs © Bruce Matsunaga & Robert Gary

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Greetings © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Tom photo bombed while waiting for the panel to start. © Bruce Matsunaga Sharkey posed like a star! © Robert Gary © Bruce Matsunaga Denise made introductions. © Robert Gary Susan Stoltz discussed changing bullying behavior in elementary school-aged children before it becomes a lifestyle issue. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Panelists Tom Leveen, Denise Gary, Susan Stoltz, and Sgt. Darren Burch © Robert Gary Tom pointed out that we all have the capacity to be bullies; that even if a person does not think of themselves as one, someone else might. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga Sgt. Darren Burch concentrated on the importance for our children to have the confidence of confidentiality when telling teachers and parents about a bully scenario. © Bruce Matsunaga © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Silent Witness video, Phoenix Comicon edition (hilarious!) © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Denise stepped down to the floor to share the bullying tale of “Stinkpot” with the kids. © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary Denise took a bow. © Robert Gary Denise also shared how books can be used to help students cope with bullying, learn peaceful conflict resolution techniques, and develop effective leadership skills. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary The talks were followed by a Question and Answer session. © Bruce Matsunaga Attendees received a list of the Kids Need to Read “Peace Packs” book collection. © Bruce Matsunaga Photographer Robert Gary © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Robert Gary © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Robert Gary © Robert Gary KNTR volunteer Michael Emerson handed out copies of Jay McGraw's Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies to the attendees. © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Robert Gary © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga © Bruce Matsunaga