“Be a Buddy Not a Bully” – Captain McFinn and Friends Book Series Review

Bullying is coming more into focus now that the school season has started. As people are becoming more and more aware of the dangers of bullying, from physical to serious mental harm, the world is waking up to this epidemic that seems to have gotten worse. According to the National Association of Elementary Schools, bullying effects over 18 million children in the U.S. each year.

It doesn’t just all the sudden start when kids become older and that’s why it’s important that we teach children at a young age about how to be a good friend, what bullying is and how to recognize it (in themselves and others) and how it makes other people feel. I was the parent of a bullied kid for years, years,  I know how it feels through my oldest child and the effect it can have on families and that is why I’m a supporter of early education on this topic.

Captain McFinn and Friends is a book series aimed at K-3 that teaches children how to be a friend rather than a bully. Though books, music, apps and many educational materials for parents, the series is devoted to positive changes through stories and interaction.

Here is a description of the wonderful materials that come with the collection!

• The Legend of Captain McFinn and Friends: In this story we are introduced to the friendly black tip shark, Captain McFinn, who was once one of the biggest bullies on Sandy Dusty Reef. He meets the Undersea Friends who teach him, through kindness, that being a friend is always better than being a bully. Captain McFinn transforms from bully to leader and protector of the Sandy Dusty Reef. 

• Captain McFinn and Friends Meet Coral Rose: Captain McFinn and Friends go on an adventure of discovery when they stumble upon a new paradise where they meet their newest friend, Princess Coral Rose – The Princess Between the Tides. 

• Captain McFinn and Friends ?Finn-tastic? Activity and Sticker Book: This fun-filled activity book, which ties into the series, includes connect-the-dots, coloring pages, stickers, mazes, matching pictures, word searches and more! 

• Captain McFinn and Friends Mobile App and eBook will be available as a free download this fall for all iOS and Android platforms, Barnes and Noble NOOK and Amazon Kindle devices. 

• Captain McFinn and Friends ?Come Along With The Friend-Ship Band?: This sing-a-long music CD is packed with 14 upbeat and catchy songs that young children, teachers and friends can dance and sing-a-long with and find out what all the fish are tapping their fins to! The songs were produced and written by award winning songwriter, Terry Sampson, whose other work includes Angelina Ballerina and Winnie The Pooh.

This Fall, Captain McFinn will introduce S.H.A.R.K. Patrol, an anti-bullying educational program for teachers to educate K-3 students how to recognize bullying and protect themselves and others against it. S.H.A.R.K. (Students Help Achieve Respect and Kindness) Patrol was developed by educators to reinforce positive behavior and help prevent bullying.

The S.H.A.R.K program offers educators tools for themselves, students and parents:

• Storybooks
• Complete lesson plans
• Puppets
• Sing-a-long CD
• Posters
• Stickers and more. 

The items can be purchased as a complete kit or separately, this way you can find what works for your district or classroom budget. A portion of all the proceeds from Captain McFinn and Friends product sales will go to benefit the Captain McFinn Foundation, which support a variety of children’s charities!

My youngest is 3 and is still a little too young yet to understand everything in the series, although he’s already been introduced to bullying on the playgrounds. Since my son has developmental delays in language, he doesn’t understand when he’s being picked on and often thinks kids are playing with him when they aren’t. I like this series because it’s bright, beautifully illustrated and it has fun characters that he can attach himself to. It’s my hope that through the books he can realize what is good behavior and what is not so the next time kids are being rude at the park he can step away from it rather than play along.

He really loves the Friendship Band CD that comes with the series so Captain McFinn and Friends Rock is his favorite book! I think the series is a great introduction for kids in how to be good friends as well as a wonderful tool for parents and educators to reinforce positive behavior. You can learn more about Captain McFinn, his friends, how you can become a partner and also lots of activities for kids on the website! Getting an early start on how to educate against the negativity out there is one of the best ways we can prepare as parents.

Connect: You can connect with Captain McFinn & Friends on their Facebook Page! You can also keep informed and sign up for the latest news via their Newsletter.

Purchase: You can purchase any of the books, the activity books and CD in Treasure Chest!