Overview

Willy is taunted by his classmates for being weird--for the way he dresses, what he eats, and the things he likes to do. One day, a ""Weirdo"" actually shows up in response to their name-calling. The creature wants to play! Thus begins a tale of unlikely friendship: Weirdo and Willy find the companionship they've been missing in the most unlikely of people... er, creatures. This story is about accepting differences and not prejudging people. It's about co-operation and selflessness. Through playful imagination, ""Weirdo and Willy"" takes on the psychologically traumatic and scarring experiences of name-calling, bullying, victimhood, and being a social outcast. ""Weirdo and Willy"" turns the bully-victim relationship on its head by transforming the usual belittling names that kids call each other into delightful awe-inspiring creatures that befriend the children. By the end of the story, what began as a negative name used to exclude and ridicule a child becomes a heroic, likeable name- a name a child would wear with pride. ""Weirdo and Willy"" also explores how to make friends and pull oneself out of social isolation or an outcast state. Taunters beware! You never know what might actually show up!

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9781948283090

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Reviews

This is a great book for kids, especially in today's bullying culture. Willy is teased and Weirdo shows up to play with him. Together they come up with a creative idea to reach out to the kids who were teasing Willy. The story moves at just the right pace and the illustrations are creative and fun! Recommended for anyone who works with elementary school kids or who has that elementary kids in their home. --Mary KH Everybody has had at least one experience like Willy. He's been called a bad name. Pusey's book makes you feel like she actually reached into your heart and pulled out the root of hurt and replaced it with love for who you are. A timely book on bullying. --Deborah R I teach kindergarten and sometimes kids are cruel with names. This book shows how repeated name calling can make the person feel. I like to use these kind of illustrations to show my students how they make others feel without using a real student. Then weirdo comes!! He is big and scares all the bullies away but he doesn't mean to. He really wants friends. Willy is now making friends with weirdo because they find things in common. Then others join them. I can't wait to have a paper copy in my classroom!!! --Patty Morrison

Author Information

Marcy is the mother of four humans and two pups, but she's also tossed pizzas for a pizzeria, acted and sang in a musical, advocated for families with special needs, made appearances in a few movies, and mimed with balloon animals at the Halifax Busker Festival. Marcy is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Trauma & Resilience Practitioner, international speaker, Story Coach, and the best-selling author of books for adults and for children. She does her best writing on retreats with a nearby hot tub, in any castle, and within view of the sea. Marcy loves the smiles and giggles of kids who see themselves in her pages and the tearful nods of adults who realize they're not alone by her words. You can watch and share her TEDx Talks: ""How Story Empowers Kids to Shape our World"" & ""You Are More Than Your Traumatic Experiences.""

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