The Chickie & Emo Series
The Adventures of Chickie and Emo is the first children's book series of its kind to reduce constructive conflict resolution to its essential skills.
From His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Daramsala, India
"The only sensible and intelligent way of resolving differences in today’s world is through dialogue in a spirit of compromise and reconciliation. Dialogue, through which we learn to listen to other points of view, is the way to build greater trust and transparency, and is the foundation of lasting friendship. Everyone from small children up to political leaders have to understand that violence and conflict are counterproductive, that they are not a realistic way to solve our problems..."
“Trouble at the Watering Hole makes a valuable contribution to such educational efforts by imagining how animals deal with trouble round the watering hole. It is a vivid scene that children will easily understand. I congratulate the authors for their keen appreciation of the importance of finding ways to educate children so they grow up learning not to lash out at the first sign of conflict, but to approach problems more reasonably. Genuine peace and reconciliation, whether in relation to ourselves or in relation to others, comes about through taking an understanding, respectful and non-violent approach to the challenges we face."
Phony Friends, Besties Again
Written by Gregg F. Relyea and Joshua N. Weiss
Book 3 in the Series
Phones are fun! Friends are fun! But phony friends are the worst!!
In this tale of friendship lost and found, long-time friends Emo and Chickie will be tested. With one click of a button, an embarrassing video is posted to social media. Can their friendship survive? Or will it be lost forever?
Bullied No More! has been praised by experts in conflict resolution and bullying.
“Many of the conflicts faced by children result from misunderstandings between friends. This new book by Gregg Relyea and Joshua Weiss explores the higher-order skills required to make and keep friends. But instead of preaching or lecturing, which often feels punitive, these skills are presented as a story, encouraging empathy and deep learning. We need entire libraries of books like these.” - Kenneth Cloke, Mediator, Teacher, Dispute Resolution Systems Design, Commentator, and Author of The Dance of Opposites: Explorations in Mediation, Dialogue, and Conflict Resolution Systems Design
“Research has shown that children who have conflict resolution training not only improve their problem-solving skills but also better stand up to bullying. By introducing these skills to young children through lovable animals and grabbing illustrations, Gregg Relyea and Joshua Weiss offer life lessons, helpful perspectives, and conversational tools that children can immediately use with their friends and families--and refine over time as they grow. The hidden treasure in Phony Friends, Besties Again is that adult readers of the book get a Master Class for their own lives and work. As a professional mediator for over 40 years who read this book to my 5-year-old grandson, I can attest to its immediate and, no doubt, lasting impact on both of us.” Forrest "Woody" Mosten, Mediator, Collaborative Lawyer, Teacher, and Author of Mediation Career Guide--A Strategic Approach to Building a Successful Mediation Practice
Bullied No More: The Continuing Adventures of Chickie & Emo
Written by Gregg F. Relyea and Joshua N. Weiss
Book 2 in the Series
Bullying behavior has become so common that kids, parents, and teachers cannot afford to ignore it. Instead, they can talk about bullying behavior before it occurs or draw a roadmap of possible ways to respond when it does.
Bullied No More! is three stories in one, where we find best friends Emo and Chickie in a new adventure together with their friend, Bart the beaver, who is being bullied by Scruffy the wolf. Should Bart fight back? What should Emo and Chickie do? Should Bart's parents and teachers get involved? And if so, how?
Emo and Chickie want children to know they are NOT ALONE when they are the target of bullying behavior. Most importantly, Emo and Chickie want children to know they have CHOICES for how to respond to bullying behavior—choices that can lead to a positive outcome for everyone.
Bullied No More! has been praised by experts in the fields of conflict resolution and bullying:
“Conflict resolution is an essential skill for young children to learn how to resolve their problems in a constructive way. Gregg Relyea and Josh Weiss’ tale Bullied No More! will help children learn ways to handle bullying. The book also will help parents engage with their children on this important issue. Highly recommended!”
— William Ury, co-author of Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
“Bullied No More! is a children's book on bullying that goes beyond and invites children to examine the roles of the bully, the bullied, and not-so-innocent bystanders. It allows children to explore options for confronting the bullying with the intended and unintended consequences of each option. Children who are targeted can see how they can play a new role as a brave-hearted character, and how they need not do this alone. A powerfully written story that is a must-read for parents, educators, and children.” — Barbara Coloroso, author of the international bestseller, The Bully, The Bullied, and The Not-So-Innocent Bystander
Trouble at the Watering Hole: The Adventures of Chickie and Emo
Written by Gregg F. Relyea and Joshua N. Weiss
Book 1 in the Series
The children’s book, Trouble at the Watering Hole, tells the story of forest animals who are fighting over a limited supply of water in a forest watering hole. Fighting with each other doesn't accomplish anything. Emo, a baby bear cub, and his best friend, Chickie, a colorful bird, explore ways that the forest animals can work through the problem, using proven, effective methods of conflict resolution. The story captures the "how" of conflict resolution and the skills that are part of the process.
The Parent/Teacher Manual offers games, exercises, puzzles, and conversation starters to help parents and teachers describe the skills of constructive conflict resolution in the context of everyday situations. Chores, bedtime, TV time, use of mobile phones and devices, who uses the remote control for the TV, who gets to use sports equipment, who finds that their pencil has been taken by another student and many more situations bring to life the critical skills of constructive conflict resolution.
Trouble at the Watering Hole is the first book of its kind to reduce constructive conflict resolution to its essential skills.
Trouble at the Watering Hole Parent/Teacher Manual
The Parent/Teacher Manual is a rich resource for discussing these skills and bringing them into focus for children by examining the role of constructive conflict resolution in everyday life.To further help teach kids conflict resolution skills, search for the children's book Trouble at the Watering Hole and purchase both books together.
The Parent/Teacher Manual offers games, exercises, puzzles, and conversation-starters to help parents and teachers describe the skills of constructive conflict resolution in the context of everyday situations. Chores, bedtime, TV time, use of mobile phones and devices, who uses the remote control for the TV, who gets to use sports equipment, who finds that their pencil has been taken by another student and many more situations bring to life the critical skills of constructive conflict resolution.