Books to Bully-Proof Your Kids

The Principle Gang by Dr. Dan and Bli Dugi

Health practitioners address bullying with values-based series for kids ages 4-11

Published by Dugi Group, LLC Childrens fiction Hardcover, 36 pages Ages 4-11 $14.95 ThePrincipleGang.com ! Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales August 5, 2014 978-0989836203 ! Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway October 14, 2014 978-0989836227

October is National Bullying Prevention Month which is why we feel this book series review is important for parents, teachers, doctors, and anyone else responsible for teaching social skills and core values to children.

The NEA reports that 160,000 students stay home from school everyday due to bullying. While anti-bullying laws are growing at state and local levels, making schools take action for adverse events occurring on campus, parents and clinicians are often better able to recognize the signs of a child being bullied—and can help put a stop to it.

The issue of bullying weighs heavily on the minds of Dr. Dan and Bli Dugi, a physician and physician assistant. While building their young daughter’s home-based library, they saw a need for books that expressed values in a vibrant way. The Dugis created The Principle Gang series, a collection of six books (for children ages 4-11) that brings to life the timeless messages parents have been conveying to their children for centuries—messages about family,

friendship, community and fairness.

The first book in the series, Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales, released in August and book two, Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway, debuts this month (October). Children are invited to become a member of “The Principal Gang”, by taking an oath to promise respect and encouragement, while learning important principles to make a difference. The characters in the series have different strengths and weaknesses that children can relate to.

The Dugis also launched a “No Bullies Allowed” campaign for elementary schools. Every school that signs up will receive a PG No Bullies Allowed starter pack, which includes an introductory letter, full-color poster for the school library, coloring sheet, and a powerpoint presentation for classroom instruction.

Dr. Dan and Bli Dugi have a combined 50 years experience as a physician and physician assistant team. With The Principle Gang series, they have created a way to connect with young children outside of the exam room. They live in Cuero, Texas, with their daughter, Emmy. Online at www.ThePrincipleGang.com and @theprinciplegang.

“The topic of bullying is not just a school problem, it’s a community-wide problem,” they say. “As health practitioners, we feel it is our duty to address bullying as another key factor in preventive medicine. Education and prevention are critical for the well-being of our youth.”

So why does reading and discussing anti-bullying books like this matter?

•The average child has watched 8,000 televised murders and 100,000 acts of violence before finishing

elementary school

•160,000 students stay home from school everyday due to bullying (NEA)

•30% of students who reported they had been bullied said they had at times brought weapons to

school

•2/3 of students who are targets become bullies

•20% of all children say they have been bullied

•In schools where there are bullying programs, bullying is reduced by 50%

Disclosure: I received copies of these books from PR By The Books in exchange for this press release and my honest review.