I received the book Griffin the Dragon and How to Tame a Bully for review. As a teacher and parent I have read many books on the topic of bullying. Dr. Ken Masks illustrated childrens book, has a positive message for kids about how to deal with and understand bullies. Griffin the Dragon and How to Tame a Bully is unlike other bullying stories I have read. It addresses the widespread problem of bullying in a story about the schoolyard and the behavior of bullies. It provides details of how Griffin and his friends fend off and then finally befriend the character referred to as the Bully Kid. What is different about this story is that all the characters are different “creatures”. They are human, alien, dragons, animals, etc.
Just like many bullying issues or problems with friends, this story takes place at an elementary school playground where Griffin and his friends Jackson the Hyena, and human friends Cattails and Alexandra are talking about their upcoming summer break and plans for the weekend. As the friends talk and tease each other as friends do the “Bully Kid” approaches and teases the friends. He insults Griffin and Griffin tries to settle the problem and tries to be friends but the boy will not listen. The group of friends tell the bully about the rules of No Bullying, just like our children are always told. The Bully tries to hurt Griffin who sends fire at him and then apologizes. Griffin the dragon’s father saw what happened and he is grounded. Griffin becomes friends with the bully and helps him learn to read. This story teaches children that bullying happens for a reason. That bullies do what they do because they are lacking in some way so they lash out at others.
These are topics that the schools address as a whole and in the classroom but as parents we have to address as well. This story is easy to read and can open a lot of discussions with our children. By the characters all being different “creatures” also opens discussion on how everyone is different, looks different and we need to accept everyone.
About the Creators
Ken Mask is a board certified physician living and practicing medicine in Louisiana. The former LSU Medical Center Assistant Professor of Clinical Radiology has written for medical journals as well as popular magazines.
Simmie Williams has more than twenty-nine years in visual and print communications. His experience includes serving as the chief of graphics for the City of Gary Indiana, package designer for Frederick Z. Vallarta Associates, art director for Proctor and Gardner Advertising.
At the start of 2012 Simmie began providing graphic design and consulting services to Midwest firms including: a full range of environmental graphic design, corporate identity, interpretive exhibits, themed spaces, way-finding signage, and promotional print materials. Simmie is currently the graphic designer for The Jackson’s Unity Tour, and art director for two documentary film projects: The Search For Count Dante, and The Club DeLisa. Simmie attended the American Academy of Art, Chicago IL, where he studied graphic design.
We faced some bullying issues last year. This would have been a great book to have read together. I will pass this info on, though.