*This is a sponsored post and I was sent a complimentary copy of the book, ‘Batty Betty’ in order to help facilitate my review. All my opinions are 100% my own!

Let’s Face it…we have all been bullied at least once in our lifetime! I know that growing up I was bullied a lot because I was always sick and it wasn’t a pleasant thing to go through. Olivia was bullied in her new school that she attended at the beginning of the year because she was different and it was hard to watch her go through that. What got me was that the teachers allowed it with the girls but not with the boys. Ugh. Did you know that October is Bullying Awareness Month? I didn’t either until just a few short weeks ago and so let me introduce you to this amazing book that I was sent to read and do a review on.

‘Batty Betty’ by Kathryn Hast is a great book! It’s OK to be different, although to many different isn’t OK at all! A lot of people think everyone has to be just like everyone else so if you are a little different it’s in their nature to bully one to make themselves feel better. But they don’t think about themselves. Here is a little more on the book:

Abel, the tuba; Eve, the sad banana; and Betty, a giant who dances unapologetically to her own drum. When Abel goes out marching by himself, he finds a sad banana named Eve who has been bullied by local beavers. As it turns out, she’s not alone. The beavers are also out for Betty, who stands out with her towering height and “batty” behavior. Abel sets out to defeat these beavers, but soon discovers it’s not about winning – it’s about finding your own music amidst the ruckus and noise.

“I’m really committed to the notion that kids can read, think, and discuss ideas that might initially seem difficult,” Hast says. “My hope is that Batty Betty offers both entertainment and depth and can serve as a springboard for conversations between parents and children.”

Playful yet touching, Batty Betty explores:

• Why it’s not only okay – it’s GREAT – to be different
• The best way to stand up to bullies (tune out their noise, find your music!)
• Opportunities for parents and kids to begin discussions about tough topics
• A unique and surprising style of writing everyonewill enjoy reading
• And much more!

Kathryn Hast has a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in writing and a Master’s degree in Education. She is from York, Pennsylvania, and currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband and two children. She has one dog named after a Beatles song, and one that barks at the television. Batty Betty is her second published children’s book, following her previous title Otis Grows. Learn more at www.lujubooks.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Batty Betty can be purchased from www.lujubooks.com and Amazon.