A Unique and Powerful Story

A picture book about bullying, differences, and the power of empathy

Teaches Empathy

Looking through the eyes of another, children learn to see from a new perspective

Shows BOTH Sides of Bullying

Children begin to learn why people bully--and what can be done to help.

Suited for Young Readers

​Rhyming text and vibrant illustrations draw in even the youngest of readers, making complex subjects easy to understand

About the Book


​Who – or what – is A. Blob? Find the answer in This is A. Blob, a beautifully illustrated tale of a playground bully’s antics. Discover that
A. Blob and, perhaps others like it, may not be exactly what they seem... 
​

This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, including “Who’s that Knocking,” “Chug,” and “Croc, Pots and Wildebeests,” which was nominated for Best Independent Short Short, Ages 5-8, at the 2009 Kid’s First Film Festival and for best short at The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully.

This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.

Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.

​Who--or what--is A. Blob?? Through the use of a gender and race neutral main character, Kefalos
​creates a story to which all children can relate.
Early intervention and education has been shown to decrease bullying by up to 50%...

Bullying Facts

Impact of Bullying on Children
​Who Bully

  • More likely to drop out of school
  • Increased risk of depression and psychological stress
  • More likely to abuse substances
  • More likely to develop anxiety
  • Stunted coping skills
  • By their mid thirties, 60% if people who bullies have a criminal conviction
  • Have a harder time securing and maintaining employment

​The Impact of Bullying on Children Who Are Bullied

  • Bullying can lead to school avoidance and higher rates of absenteeism
  • Decrease in grades
  • Loss of interest in academic achievement
  • Increase in dropout rates
  • Headaches and stomachaches 
  • Sleeping problems
  • Low self esteem

Bullying by the Numbers
​

  • 1 in 4 children in the U.S. experience bullying
  • 30% of young people admit to having exhibited bullying behavior
  • 85% of bullying occurs in schools
  • Bullying can begin as young as 3 years old
  • 160,000 children stay home each year for fear if being bullying
  • 58% of children keep silent about being bullied
  • 57% of the time, bulling stops within 10 seconds of peer intervention

​​Books and Bullying

  • Studies show reading fiction helps develop empathy, which is recognized as a core life skill and the foundation for sound relationships and classroom climates
  • The best fiction to teach empathy uses familiar life scenarios and helps children understand characters' motives
  • Read books, listen to music, and watch entertaining videos that celebrate kindness and explain bullying in a way that will interest children

This is A. Blob Material Discussion Guide

Ending bullying is our #1 priority, which is why we are offering our This is A. Blob Material Discussion Guide FREE with every purchase. This professionally designed resource features:
  • K-3 Lesson Plans
  • K-3 Discussion Questions
  • This is A. Blob SLIME Craft
  • Bullying Fast Facts
​
Order Yours Today!

Gallery

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About the book
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About the author

Reviews of This is A. Blob


​Review by Lisa Pescara Kovach, Ph. D

This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos is a great resource for teachers, parents, school counselors or anyone who wishes to begin a conversation with young children about bullying behaviors. It is rare to find a bullying prevention and intervention book that features a character like A. Blob...

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Review by licensed mental health counselor and mom blogger Janine of the blog Encourage Play

BULLYING - What feelings do you have when you think of that word?Sadness? Helplessness? Anger? Frustration?Perhaps you have a sudden memory of your child coming home and talking about that kid on the bus again?Maybe you even flash back to your own childhood?
Bullying is an important topic for families to talk about, but it can be hard to approach the topic. How do you start to talk about such a big emotional topic with your children?...​
​Review by No Such Thing As A Bully, a premier anti-bullying program that wants to change the way we view bullying though unique tools and resources that help shred the labels of "bully" and "victim" and start from a place of love and kindness.

I get to review children’s and young adult books from time to time, in the hopes of finding works that are a good match to the mission of No Such Thing as a Bully.

This is a bit different of a children’s book from the kind I’ve been used to:
  • its production is very high-quality: hard-bound and thick pages
  • a short book, in keeping with short attention spans
  • a book that sets up for a sequel, and (we hope) entices kids to imagine where the story goes

Central to No Such Thing as a Bully is that we dismiss the concept of labeling others, especially children, as “bully” or “victim.” We all have it in ourselves to behave as a bully or a victim at any time, depending on what’s going on and how we respond to it.

But central to “This is A. Blob” is that the main character has labeled himself. “A lonely purple gob.”...