Written by: Rose and Hope McCallum, Co-authors
Submitted by: Sumiye Sugawara, Nipigon Public Library
Photo Credits: Nipigon Public Library
Photo Credits: Nipigon Public Library
We are absolutely thrilled that the Rotary Club of Nipigon has chosen our book ‘The Watermelon Shield’ as a Vocational/Club project to enhance existing anti-bullying programs. Thank you for purchasing and placing copies in local school classrooms, school libraries, along with public libraries in your district!
Our story is a true coping strategy that Hope utilized when she was six years old and coping with bullying behaviours at school. In ‘The Watermelon Shield’, Hope develops an understanding that children who say or do unkind things to others, are often not getting the love & kindness that they need in their own lives, and that the unkindness is often a reflection of how the child who is bullying feels inside. (In big terms, ‘Projection’).
Through this insight, Hope was able to gain a compassionate awareness of why bullying happens, and learned that unkind words & actions had nothing to do with her. Our story also uses symbolism as a way to help children protect their hearts, and stay confident. Just like the watermelon has tender red fruit on the inside protected by a tough strong rind, we each have a tender heart inside of us that is protected by our skin- if we let unkind words & actions get past our skin and into our hearts, it can start to affect how we feel about ourselves. Many children find visualizations helpful when learning, so the use of a ‘watermelon shield’ is an easy to grasp concept.
The ‘Watermelon Shield’ is a practical creative coping tool that can help children maintain their self-confidence, & stay awesome and amazing! It worked so well for Hope, that she asked to write a book about it when she was eight years old. When we self-published our book in 2017, Hope was asked what her next goal with the book would be. She said she would just like every child to have the opportunity to read it.
Our most sincere thanks to Mr. Don Evans for taking our book and sharing it with Mr. Brian Davis (Youth Exchange Officer), and Mrs. Lee Davis (Vocational Committee Chairperson), and for all of your incredible support & helping to achieve Hope’s goal. We feel confident this very generous contribution & project by the Rotary Club of Nipigon will benefit so many children.
We would love for you to visit our website www.thewatermelonshield.ca, and follow our Facebook page at ‘The Watermelon Shield’,
With sincere gratitude,
Rose and Hope McCallum
Co-authors
