High River Author Lorrie Morales has released a new children's book teaching kids about bullying, and the process of discovering their own unique talents.

Morales, a former educator, says the idea came to her over 25 years ago.

"My son Tyrone was in Kindergarten, and one day when I went to pick him up, he was a little bit tearful. I asked him what was wrong and he said 'well we're reading a book called Tyrone the Terrible and it's about a dinosaur who's a bully." Other children were picking on him, and so I said 'Well I'm going to write a book about you!' and I did!"

While "Tyrone The Terrific" started as notes, it later became a little poem that she put away in a drawer and pulled it out again in 2019.

Morales collaborated with Sydney Syverson who was a grade nine student at that time, she illustrated the book throughout the Covid lockdowns and it was published in August.

Overall, Morales says she's thrilled with the end product.

"Really the book is being read to young children so it's mostly about the pictures." She adds "She did such a beautiful job of creating exactly the vision I had in mind."

Tyrone The Terrific won't only be teaching children they all have unique and amazing abilities, it will also be giving back in a more tangible effort.

"I'm selling the book for $15 and $5 from each sale will go to local kindergartens." says Morales. "Around Christmas time, I'm hoping to donate proceeds to Kindergartens here in High River and will ask that they use the money to buy books for classrooms."

As a former teacher, Morales says starting a library for children at a young age is crucial, as it propels their early learning and reading capabilities nearly three years over children who have no access to books or a library.

For more information or where to find "Tyrone The Terrific" click here.

 

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