Junga the Dancing Yeti

In Stephen's first book in his anti-bully series, he effectively conveys the important message of valuing the difference we see in others in a whimsicial, fun, and unique story about the adventures of a dancing yeti. As a professor of early childhood education, this book is on my list of recommended books for my students to read and have in their collection when they work with young children. You can never have too many books to teach children about diversity, anti-bullying, and empathy. And I love Grandma Yeti's helpful tips at the end of the story!

• Maria George

Stephen has been a man on an impressive mission for some time now. He has created and developed the character of Junga into a unique mouthpiece for a very real and disturbing problem affecting children, our most vulnerable population-Junga has taken on bullying. By using Junga in such a way, Stephen uses a creature, often considered a "monster" in popular folklore, and therefore, already seen as different, as his protagonist. Through heartwarmingly enticing artwork, Stephen's story introduces us to young Junga. Junga immediately starts off not fitting in with his own family due of his sensitivity to cold, and in dealing with this sensitivity, he inadvertently discovers dance in order to warm himself up. It is this skill of dance that would eventually endear Junga to creatures who were initially hostile to him because of who he was. These persecutors come to accept Junga for his differences-differences that had been ingrained within them due to a distrust of anything not understood. Thus, in such a delightful, easily understood and beautifully illustrated story, a lesson of acceptance is pleasantly related.

Stephen's book belongs on the shelf of any grade school classroom, and hopefully it will be a class staple one day. I am excited to see where Stephen and Junga go next! I love Junga!!

• Rex Alan

This book helps communicates a very powerful point to children in a subtle way by helping gain the realization that our differences make us unique and special and these differences are to be understood, embraced, and loved. It also helps children realize the damages, effects and harms of seemingly appropriate yet hurtful and destructive behavior and treatment of others and how to prevent it from occurring in the first places. Kudos and cheers to Mr. Tako for a point communicated so brilliantly! Highly recommended!

• Imran Rahman

This book is well written and the pictures are fantastic. As a psychotherapist, I have read this to select children I see in my practice. They cannot take their eyes off the pages, fully attending (and that's good for kids with ADD) and when done, there are several new things to talk about and explore. Can't wait for the sequel to come!

• Steve Kassel