It’s Hip to Be Square!

This morning I am going slightly off topic (though anything that helps bring PEACE is never off topic, here) to introduce you to Spookley the Square Pumpkin, the main character of a book and movie by the same name, who teaches young children (3-8) about tolerance, diversity and kindness.  Spookley has been embraced by pre-school and early elementary education teachers to help “stop bullying before it starts.” PACER, the national non-profit organization that runs the National Bullying Prevention Center, has named Spookley its “Official Spokes-Pumpkin” for National Bullying Prevention Month in October.

My deliciously special nephew, Aaron, recently started a business in which he works with family farmers (that have pumpkin patches and corn mazes) to develop activities that feature Spookley and his friends as part of their “agritainment” offerings.  Aaron’s mission is to foster bullying protection and help family farmers grow their business to supplement what in many cases may be falling revenue from their crops.

This morning I would like to let you know that the online store at Holiday Hill Farm (where Spookley lives) which had previously been open to only farmers, educators and children’s museums, in now open to the general public.  You can visit the store at www.spookley.com where you will find a link to the store on the top right corner of the page, once you enter the site.  In addition to the book and movie, you’ll find other Spookley items, and you’ll find some of Spookley’s friends who also live on Holiday Hill Farm, like Lyla the Lovesick Ladybug, Mistletoe the Christmas Kittens, JellyBean and the Unbreakable Egg, and Beacon the Bright Little Firefly.  The characters deliver messages about sharing, caring and love, as well as generosity, team work and independence. 

I am so proud of Aaron, for a million reasons, but in this case for combining his passions for anti-bullying and agriculture, and his Columbia MBA to work making this world a better place for ALL of us to live in.  If you know an educator, a parent or grandparent or even a farm owner that might be interested in Spookley and his bffs, please feel free to share today’s blog entry!

Hat’s off to my sister, Arlene, and her husband, Ron for raising a couple of the most incredible human beings (and for making it easy for me to blog this morning!!) Thanks to everyone for stopping in.  All this talk about Spookley makes me even more excited for October, pumpkins and Halloween!