A book that empowers the “brave voices” of children by
encouraging them to speak out and find help if they
experience abuse will be distributed to all primary schools
in Aotearoa New Zealand, thanks to funding from the Wright
Family Foundation.
of the Life Education Trust and Save the Children celebrate
with author Avril McDonald. (Photo/
Supplied)
Supported by Life
Education Trust and Save the Children, ‘The Wolf and the
Hocus Pocus’ is the latest story from Avril McDonald, the
award-winning author of the Feel Brave series of books
(little stories about big feelings for 4-7-year-olds) and
founder of ‘Feel Brave’, which aims to give all children
access to tools that help them manage tough emotions and
reach their creative potential. Each book tells a story
about a real-life situation that children may face, while
offering a simple strategy to cope.
The picture book
will be sent to all primary schools with students up to Year
8, accompanied by a guide to help teachers use the story to
support children.
“I am delighted that tamariki across
the motu will have the chance to read and hear this
important story thanks to this generous grant from the
Wright Family Foundation,” says Avril.
“Sometimes a
story or one simple strategy can change people’s lives.
‘The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus’ offers a safe space for
children and adults to explore what speaking out might look
like and what to do if a child needs help.”
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Launched
earlier this year at Government House Wellington, hosted by
Her Excellency Dame Cindy Kiro, who has also written the
book’s foreword, the book was part of a wider campaign
supported by Life Education Trust, Women’s Refuge and Save
the Children aimed at breaking the culture of silence that
traditionally surrounds sexual and other forms of abuse in
Aotearoa New Zealand and delivering children a vital
message: ‘To seek out a trusted adult until they
find one who believes them and will act on their behalf to
help keep them safe and secure’.
Avril McDonald reading the Wolf and the Hocus Pocus at a
Wellington primary school.
(Photo/Supplied)
“The Feel Brave
stories are a great asset to our teaching,” says Life
Education Trust Chief Executive Mark Weatherall.
“With
their engaging characters and storylines, they’re popular
with tamariki right through the primary school years and aid
conversations about sensitive topics. The Wolf and the Hocus
Pocus lets children know it’s OK to stand up for
themselves and others and will be welcomed by classroom
teachers.”
Save the Children Chief Executive Heidi
Coetzee says every child has the right to feel physically
and emotionally safe, but for too many children, this is not
the case.
“‘The Wolf and the Hocus
Pocus’ helps teach children to trust their instincts and
to speak out if something is wrong and highlights adults’
responsibility to listen to children and act to support them
when they ask for help.
“We are so
pleased that children across the country will be able to
hear this important message.”
Kylie Wright from the
Wright Family Foundation says ‘The Wolf and the Hocus
Pocus’ is a wonderful children’s book that aims to
empower tamariki to use their own voice.
“Avril has
done a beautiful job of artistically delivering a powerful
message to children that it is okay to speak up if they feel
something is wrong, and to seek out a trusted adult. Child
Education is a key focus area for the Wright Family
Foundation, and our team are so proud to be supporting the
distribution of this delightful book into every primary
school across Aotearoa.”
The book is available from feelbrave.com, while a
digital storybook version can be purchased from the App
Store, Google Play and
Amazon.
This post was originally published on here
