Interview with Susan Marie Murdoch for Bully Blues

Come and join me as I talk with author Susan Marie Murdoch about her picture book Iwogs Adventures in Bully Blues on Stories From Unknown Authors http://blogtalkradio.com/storiesfromunknownauthors at 1pm EST today. 

Summary:
"Iwogs Adventures in Bully Blues is an enlightening story that brings an awareness of an important issue in today's society, bullying. This book is a must read for every classroom and home. The charming characters emanate the emotions so many children feel and are unable to express."

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• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Goose River Press; First edition (March 2, 2015)
• ISBN-10: 159713158X
• ISBN-13: 978-1597131582

Author Bio:
I love being an author & Illustrator of children's books. I grew up on the seacoast of Maine, and have been a resident of Taos, NM for the past three years. My son Tim, and daughter Jacquelyn, have been my foundation through the years and they are my biggest supporters.

I have enjoyed spending over a decade as a Licensed Nursing Assistant in New Hampshire and continues to devote my time as a part-time caregiver to the elderly in the surrounding communities of New Mexico. I am currently a caregiver to the renowned Taos artist Alyce Frank.

Growing up, my passion had always been painting and drawing. It was later in life after experiencing some traumatic events while serving in the Unite States Army as a military police officer, did I learn that writing was a therapeutic tool to express myself. I try to incorporate personal experiences and emotions into my stories in hopes the messages will ring true with the reader.

My latest book, Iwogs Adventures in Bully Blues, is an enlightening story that brings an awareness of an important issue in today's society, bullying. Children can relate to and read about how the Iwogs battle against Snip and Snap, the turtle brothers and learn that with kindness and forgiveness, anything is possible.

My first children's book, Plaid Frogs, Blue Toads & Pink Pollywogs, was designed to help kids with cancer or any childhood disease in search of a cure, be able to discuss their emotions with a parent, teacher or healthcare provider. A portion of the proceeds of Plaid Frogs Blue Toad & Pink Pollywogs, goes to the American Cancer Society.

I believe that children books should have strong ideals and morals, and send a positive message to the young and old!

Review:
Bully Blues is a story about Iwogs who are getting bullied by turtle brothers, Snip and Snap. Snip and Snap kick the Iwogs out of their food bed and tease them about their appearances. Having enough, Corky decides to rally his friends and fellow Iwogs together to see the Grand Unog to get advice on how to deal with the bullies. The wise Unog tells the Iwogs that they all live together in the same pond and they need to find a way to live in harmony with one another. They all need to show patience, kindness, and forgiveness. That advice gets put to the test when Snip and Snap go missing.   

This story encompasses the problem of bullying. It doesn't matter where you are, or even your age, bullying is a problem everywhere. Bully Blues, through the story, tells the Iwogs how to stick together and to avoid the turtle brothers. This worked. But the underlining lesson is to also show compassion, which at times, is very hard to do, especially when the person being bullied is emotionally and/or physically dramatized. But children will learn in this 41 page picture book, that with forgiveness comes great rewards and with kindness comes lasting friendships.