CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR PROMOTES A HEALTHY OUTLOOK ON LIFE
 
 

Roseville, CA --- Children experience them every day - teases and put-downs

that often lead to hurt and anger. A child's instinctive reaction might be

to counter the taunting, only to discover that the instigator has gotten

exactly what he wants. How can a child react without feeling they are being

victimized? Children's author, Karen Gedig Burnett shares through her newly

released children's book, Simon's Hook: A Story About Teases and

Put-Downs, that the child who is being teased often holds the key to the

outcome of the taunting behavior. "By focusing on their own actions, instead

of the actions of the taunter, children can begin to recognize the power

they have; their personal power."
 
 

Burnett, an elementary school counselor, turned author so that she can write

and publish books that help children develop healthy outlooks on life.

During the twenty years that she has worked with children, Burnett has

created many successful programs that have helped them handle life's

challenges and lead healthier lives. Her mastery is eminently depicted

through her ability to take a complex idea and present it in a simplistic

and graphic manner. In each book, Burnett takes on the role of Grandma Rose, a

fictional grandmotherly character who presents creative ways to help

children work through challenges they face in their every day lives.
 
 

This concept is brought to life in Simon's Hook, as Burnett implements an

intriguing and entertaining approach to helping children learn alternative

reactions to teasing behavior. When Simon, the main character in the story,

has difficulty with his friends, Grandma Rose explains a tease is a hook.

She then introduces Simon to a group of fanciful fish characters who team up

to teach him alternatives to taking the bait. Through encouraging children

to swim around the hook, they can learn to avoid being sucked into the

emotion of the tease. "This offers children a concrete example of a fairly

abstract activity," states Burnett.
 
 

In her upcoming book, Katie's Rose, Burnett emulates the maturing process of

a child to that of a rosebud discovered in Grandma Rose's garden.

Grandma Rose carefully cups a new sprout in her hands and shares with Katie

and her parents that through appropriate nurturing the beautiful rose will

bloom someday, but not until it is ready. The analogy sinks in as Katie's

parents look at each other and realize they must allow their daughter time

to grow and bloom at her own rate. Katie's Rose will be released this fall.
 
 

Burnett holds a Master's Degree in Counseling from California State, San

Bernardino, and in Educational Psychology from Indiana University. She

resides in California with her husband and two sons. In addition to writing

and publishing children's books, Burnett provides a forum on her website

located at http://www.grandmarose.com where children can submit their

questions about life's challenges and stories about their successes. She

also speaks at schools on topics to include self-empowerment and

self-determination. "An empowered attitude," says Burnett, "is instrumental

in a person's ability to solve problems throughout life."
 
 

GR Publishing pub@grandmarose.com (831)335-5366

Grandma Rose's Neighborhood 2002