"Through a recent and continuing series of well-publicized tragedies in American school systems the subject of bullying has come to the forefront of American educational issues. To help parents and teachers address this problem, psychotherapist and motivational speaker Caryn Sabes Hacker has written "A Bully Grows Up: Erik Meets The Wizard" in which a young boy learns that aggressive behavior is harmful for both the aggressor as well as the victim. Erik travels through a mystical land and his encounters show him how to develop healthier and more compassionate values that results in feelings of achievement, pride, gratification, and relief. This 'Adult Education Edition' of "A Bully Grows Up" includes questions, exercises and activities that help young readers to understand and incorporate the messages embedded in a text that is as entertaining as it is instructive. "A Bully Grows Up" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to the growing body of literature and resources to help children understand and deal with bullying behavior -- their own, as well as others."
“In the tradition of Hans Christian Andersen, Caryn Hacker skillfully weaves adventure and metaphor, providing perceptive groundwork for children and adults to discuss concepts that insure the growth of character, responsibility, and leadership. Children tend to bully others. They outgrow this behavior only with thoughtful input and guidance from loving adults. 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 will enjoy reading.“
Foster W. Cline, MD,
Co-Author of the Parenting with Love and Logic Series
“Useful for parents as well as therapist. Acts as a mirror for the bullying parent who doesn't realize that their behavior is always emulated by their children.”
Linda Coloret
Psy.D, Naples, FL
“This book just might become compulsory reading for the young bullies of the world. It is full of imagery and message. Written for a younger audience, Caryn Hacker’s story leaves no doubt in the reader’s mind that standing up to a dangerous foe, using ingenuity backed by courage, build a stronger person.”
Hunter S. Grant
President & Chairman, RipNET, Ltd.
"Follow Erik through his journey that Caryn Hacker has delightfully created. Helpful storytelling regarding the timely topic of bullying promotes healing and positive decision-making. Perfect for school nurses, counselors and parents."
"You are to be commended on the innovative approach to healing through storytelling that Caryn Solutions offers to children, our most precious gift."
JoAnn M. Smallwood
President, Smallwood Design Group
"I enjoyed Caryn's book tremendously. It is a hypnotic tale of how maturation happens from within. Not only for use with children who bully, I this story fitting for children and families with a variety of dragons to defeat."
Joan Reisenberger, LCSW
Family Life Education & Counseling Service
"Finally! A book that speaks to the bully. This book effectively captures and illustrates the overt and covert, expressed self-judgment of Hans Christian Anderson. Caryn Hacker makes use of this "realistic" metaphor by enabling children and adolescents who read this book, to develop the insight into creating a healthy self-esteem. Furthermore, this will help professionals and parents target children and adolescents who may be struggling with developing their own ego-identity."
Jeremy White, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Child/Adolescent Psychotherapist
"'A Bully Grows up: Erik Meets the Wizard' is a powerful story full of adventure, suspense, and depth. All too often, society focuses on the victims of bullies, forgetting that bullies themselves are victims of their own self-images and doubts. Any child who struggles with bullying others must read this book."
M. B. Weston
Author of A Prophecy Forgotten
“Stories are a wonderful way to reach children about bullying issues and "Erik Meets the Wizard" has a wonderful way of teaching and entertaining at the same time.“
SuEllen Fried
Founder BullySafeUSA
"A Bully Grows Up: Erik Meets the Wizard' is a beautifully illustrated allegory that will help older children and early adolescents understand empathy, which is vital to changing the behavior of bullying. This is an excellent resource for parents, teachers, and anyone who works with children. Caryn Hacker’s book is imaginative and revolutionary."
Linda Sebastian, MN, ARNP
Psychotherapist in Private Practice – Naples, Florida
Author of Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
“A book with powerful prose that allows older adolescents the opportunity to explore their own self worth and identity. Truly a ‘Mirror, mirror, on the wall’ approach!”
David Armour, M.Ed
Principal of Kammerer Middle School, Louisville, KY
"Erik learns so much about life and the world from his meetings with the wizard. Every child should share Erik's experiences."
Jan E. Klein
Prevention Specialist, Safe and Drug Free Schools, Fort Myers, FL
"Caryn delights her audience and demonstrates her expertise by masterfully combining a warm style with a professional, researched presentation. The addition of the magical tale, "A Bully Grows Up: Erik Meets the Wizards," adds another fantastic dimension to this intriguing and timely topic."
Teresa Shepherd, RN, MSN
Director of Education, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO
"Through the (wizardry) imagination of fairytale storytelling, the author bravely guides and enables child and adult alike a solution....in confronting and conquering the fear of the (universal) bully."
Susan Baines
Teacher, Adjunct Professor
“In A Bully Grows Up: Erik meets the Wizard, Caryn Hacker has captured the wonder of a thrilling tale of a boy, a dragon and a wizard and parlayed that story into a lesson about life. It is a tale that bubbles over with imagination and excitement. Perhaps the most effective aspect of the book is that it will allow parents to discuss this serious issue in a manner that is non-threatening and convincing.”
Joe Cox
Director, Children's Museum of Naples
"A Bully Grows Up teaches more than its apparent mission. Caryn Hacker plays with words in a way that will cause the young reader to recognize the language as the "mirror" which reflects Erik and his Dragon as a single image."
Roger E. Craig
Author of The Last Aborigine
"Caryn this is a wonderful tool to put into the classrooms. I enjoyed the adventure with my students. There were lots of moments when light bulbs would just shine throughout my room at one time. You have such a talent of knowing just how to reach the kids. A lesson well learned without pain. "
Hana Z. Ahmad
5th grade teacher, Orangewood Middle School
I read your book
to my grandson about a year ago. He had just turned 8. My grandson,
Ori, enjoyed the story. We had an interesting conversation when we
finished reading. He informed me of a child who was a bully at his
school. I don't think I would have ever known about his encounter
with a fellow student if we hadn't read your book. - LynnRae
"When I finished reading "Erik Meets the
Wizard," I immediately thought of my three sons, and how this book
related to them. My boys are grown men, but the message the book
delivers is one that anyone can appreciate. A copy will be donated
by our family to our boys' school. Other students will be able to
read and hopefully learn to deal better with this difficult issue in
life." - Marilyn
"I read this book
and I thought it was great and it showed how bullies really think.
Now I know how bullies think, I won’t let them bully me. But I think
this book would also appeal to a bully, showing them that bullying
is not an effective defense system." - Jack (12 years-old) Australia
"I think that this book is a very good way to help bullies stop bullying. Bullying is not allowed at my school. Bullies will not be respected and you book showed why. Thank you for the adventure." - James
I loved your book. The details were great. Your book helped my friend stand up to this bully and it worked. I hope it helps lots of people. And "Brain before Braun" is perfect. - A.J.
"Your book was an exciting way to learn a bad lesson - Bullying hurts. Thank you." - Jesus
"The adventure was good. I learned a lot about bullying. I was not a bullying nor am I being bullied but the book actually helped me with my anger. Thank you for writing such a helpful book. - Wilson
"Thank you for writing this fantastic story. This story teaches many lessons about feeling - bullying, fear, and even power. I know what it feels like to be bullied and be a bully myself. After reading this book I feel different and I thank you for that." - Michael
"Thank you for writing this book - it teaches kids like me a good lesson about bullying. This book helped me stop bullying kids younger than me and be kind to them." - Stephen
