My favorite books to teach your children to think of others' needs and much-needed information on school safety

Why am I passionate about this?

I have an expertise in parenting topics because I work as a prevention advocate for children. I work to keep children safe from; school violence, child abuse, and domestic violence. Additionally I've written children’s books on friendship and race relations for preschoolers. I'm prevention central! Prevention is so much more fun than remiation which I did for 20 years as a middle school counselor. I'm skilled at taking a difficult social topic and breaking it down into language that toddlers and preschoolers can understand. I am ending school violence, child abuse and domestic violence one book at a time. Won’t you join me in making the world a safer place?


I wrote...

The Bad Guys: A Student's/Teacher's Guide to School Safety and Violence Prevention

By Julie K. Federico,

Book cover of The Bad Guys: A Student's/Teacher's Guide to School Safety and Violence Prevention

What is my book about?

The Bad Guys: A Student’s/Teacher’s Guide to School Safety and Violence Prevention is a much needed guide to promote school safety and violence prevention. This book directs students on recognizing potential danger and preparation if such an event occurs. The book offers students a pro-active approach to violence prevention. As a supplement, staff members are supported by a teacher’s guide for educators, and bonus student journal section. Parents and educators will appreciate the simple, nonthreating language that creates a school safety message that every child must hear. This book has the potential to save many lives. The partner book is Students Can Help Keeps Schools Safe for children in 3 to 8th grade.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids

Julie K. Federico Why did I love this book?

In today’s society very few people are out filling other people’s love buckets. Filling someone’s love bucket involves doing a random act of kindness for them. As we fill other people's love buckets ours also becomes full. Children learn this important lesson in the book and they learn how fun and easy it is to be a bucket filler. We all know the world needs more bucket fillers. 

By Mary Reckmeyer, Tom Rath, Maurie J. Manning (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Every moment matters.
Each of us has an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it's empty, we feel awful. Yet most children (and many adults) don't realize the importance of having a full bucket throughout the day.
In How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids, Felix begins to see how every interaction in a day either fills or empties his bucket. Felix then realizes that everything he says or does to other people fills or empties their buckets as well.
Follow along with Felix as he learns how easy it can be to fill the…


Book cover of I Said No! A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private

Julie K. Federico Why did I love this book?

This book is crucial for every child to read. It teaches children about body safety and how to keep safe from unwanted touch. There is no greater gift that a parent can give a child than the gift of safety. This book explains a very challenging subject is a simple, easy to under stand message. 

By Kimberly King, Zack King, Sue Rama (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I Said No! A Kid-to-kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Helping kids set healthy boundaries for their private parts can be a daunting and awkward task for parents, counselors and educators. Written from a kid's point of view, I Said No! makes this task a lot easier. To help Zack cope with a real-life experience he had with a friend, he and his mom wrote a book to help prepare other kids to deal with a range of problematic situations. I Said No! uses kid-friendly language and illustrations to help parents and concerned adults give kids guidance they can understand, practice and use. Using a simple, direct, decidedly non-icky approach…


Book cover of The Swimsuit Lesson

Julie K. Federico Why did I love this book?

There will be 500,000 babies born in the US this year that will be sexually abused before they turn 18 if we do not prevent it. Child abuse is 90% preventable. 90% of children are harmed by a loved one or family member. This book is for older children ages 8 to 13 years. It has wonderful illustrations and a very important message for children to understand and internalizse.

By Jon Holsten, Scott Freeman (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Swimsuit Lesson as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Swimsuit Lesson is a powerful family resource - introducing a simple, yet effective way for parents to educate their children about the danger of sexual abuse. This beautifully illustrated story book includes a separate step-by-step parent's guide. Author, and police officer, Jon Holsten provides a realistic view of the danger facing children today, and what families can do to reduce chances of being victimized.


Book cover of Goodnight Moon

Julie K. Federico Why did I love this book?

I read this book to my children every night for years. As I read it then snuggled into my arms and began the sometimes difficult process of falling asleep. The story is calming and is a wonderful way to end a busy day. Very young children will understand this beloved book. 

By Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Goodnight Moon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

A beautiful anniversary edition of the classic bedtime story with shiny gold cover flourishes - the perfect gift for christenings and birthdays.

Featuring a look at the fascinating story behind the creation of one of the most famous children's books in the world, beloved by Michelle Obama and Neil Gaiman alike, as well as tips on how to get your child to sleep.

In a great green room a little bunny is tucked up snugly and safely in bed and is getting ready to say goodnight to all the familiar things in his room, one by one.

Margaret Wise Brown's…


Book cover of Love You Forever

Julie K. Federico Why did I love this book?

Each time I read this book to my children I was confronted with how fleeting childhood is. After a long day alone with gumpy kids I needed this reminder. When it all said and done childhood is blimp in a long life. This book made me a better mother because it put things into perspective. I could get a birdseye view of childhood rather than difficult details that I was always navigating. I highly recommend this book! 

By Robert Munsch, Sheila McGraw (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Love You Forever as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A young woman holds her newborn son And looks at him lovingly. Softly she sings to him: "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Since publication in l986, Love You Forever has sold more than 15 million copies in paperback and the regular hardcover edition. AGES: 4 to 6 AUTHOR: Robert Munsch is the bestselling, widely celebrated author of more than 50 books for children. Love You Forever is his internationally bestselling book with over 30 million…


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Me and The Times: My wild ride from elevator operator to New York Times editor, columnist, and change agent (1967-97)

By Robert W. Stock,

Book cover of Me and The Times: My wild ride from elevator operator to New York Times editor, columnist, and change agent (1967-97)

Robert W. Stock Author Of Me and The Times: My wild ride from elevator operator to New York Times editor, columnist, and change agent (1967-97)

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Journalist Punster Family-phile Ex-jock Friend

Robert's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Me and The Times offers a fresh perspective on those pre-internet days when the Sunday sections of The New York Times shaped the country’s political and cultural conversation. Starting in 1967, Robert Stock edited seven of those sections over 30 years, innovating and troublemaking all the way.

His memoir is rich in anecdotes and admissions. At The Times, Jan Morris threw a manuscript at him, he shared an embarrassing moment with Jacqueline Kennedy, and he got the paper sued for $1 million. Along the way, Rod Laver challenged Stock to a tennis match, he played a clarinet duet with superstar Richard Stoltzman, and he shared a Mafia-spiced brunch with Jerry Orbach.

Me and The Times: My wild ride from elevator operator to New York Times editor, columnist, and change agent (1967-97)

By Robert W. Stock,

What is this book about?

An intimate, unvarnished look at the making of the Sunday sections of The New York Times in their pre-internet heyday, back when they shaped the country’s political and cultural conversation.

Over 30 years, Robert Stock edited seven of those sections, innovating, and troublemaking all the way – getting the paper sued for $1 million, locking horns with legendary editors Abe Rosenthal and Max Frankel, and publishing articles that sent the publisher Punch Sulzberger up the wall.

On one level, his memoir tracks Stock’s amazing career from his elevator job at Bonwit Teller to his accidental entry into journalism to his…


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