Fort Sill civilian pens bully prevention story

FORT SILL, Okla. -- October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and one local family child care provider has written a book to help all ages the younger children in particular learn what bullying is and how to deal with it.

Cynthia Sosa, a Fort Sill FCC provider, wrote the children's book "Sebastian the Small Trunk Elephant," to let young children know that the differences in us are not something to ridicule but rather what makes each of us special.

"The book helps children learn about bullying in a different way, and it helps them to learn that when they see someone being bullied, they should help that person, without fighting," said Sosa. "I was inspired to write this book because of all the bullying and violence going on in our world with our children. I want to focus on our younger children in the hope that we can teach our children about bullying in our homes, preschools and elementary schools so they know what to do."

Sosa, who has been a child care provider for the military for eight years, said she has seen a lot of bullying going on in children as early as two years old.

"My son has ADHD with impulses and had a lot of problems throughout the time I've been doing daycare," she said. "I've seen him bullied and deal with a lot of different stuff.

"We need to open the eyes of our parents, teachers and anyone else who deals with children," said Sosa. "The message is it is not tattling if a child is fed up with another child picking on them."

Sosa said she believes if we all stop and listen to what children tell us, some of their issues can be resolved by becoming an advocate for them and helping them when someone bullies them.

"Remember the saying 'sticks and stones can break my bones but names can never hurt us?' Well words do hurt," said Sosa. "Everything we learn starts from home. So help children to stop bullying and being bullied by other children."

In an effort to start change, she has been reading her book to the children in her care and in her community.

"I have had great feedback from parents and teachers who have read it," she said. "Kids really like the questions in the back of the book which are meant to start a conversation with children of all ages."

Tomika Jenkins, an 18-year-old student, read the book and enjoyed it.

"I really love this book because it's not just for young children, it's for any age. It's entertaining and teaches a valuable lesson," she said. "It can help teach children ethics."

Miranda Bennett is the mother of one of the children in Sosa's care and she also has an 8-year-old daughter in school.

"I saw the book at day care when I was picking up my son and bought three copies - one for me and each of them. The unique aspect of it is that I was bullied when I was in sixth grade so I understand how bad it can be. I read the book myself after the kids were in bed and asked myself the questions at the end of the book; they do apply for any age."

Sosa said in January she had prayed to do something different to help her son and the children she cares for and to inspire them to stop bullying instead of allowing it to continue.

"I prayed one night to find a solution to the bullying I see around me and it came to me over and over with the characters and their names so in the morning, I started to write it all down. It only took me three days to write and illustrate the book," she said. "I didn't tell the parents of the children in my care about it until it came back as a manuscript. Then I showed it to a few people to get their opinions, everyone liked it and said I should get it published."

She's willing to read the book to classes and groups to help start the discussion on bullying.

"I would love for the book to be in homes and schools so parents and teachers can read the book to the children or I will be glad to come read it to classes."

Sosa, whose father died recently, said the book is in honor of him, retired 1st Sgt. Victor (Poncho) Rosario, who retired at Fort Sill and then worked as a game warden in fish and wildlife on post.