Victoria Devine, Children's Author
Turning Bullies Into Friends—How to teach children their ABC's: Assertive, Bold, & Confident
Victoria Devine, award-winning children’s book author of Santa's Bully Elf, MacCarrig, and Sparky's Bully Workshop, is also an anti-bully advocate, elementary school teacher, teacher of students with disabilities, and private tutor, and is available for appearances on all media outlets, elementary schools, holiday shows, and libraries.
An elementary and students with disabilities teacher for more than 12 years in the state of New Jersey, Devine is known for stressing the importance of reading and writing. She holds a competitive writing contest each year with 4th and 5th graders, and just this year, one 4th grader was chosen to have her work copyrighted in a magazine. Devine spent three years working with an eight-year-old on researching and writing a children’s book, MacCarrig.
Devine’s goal is to develop a passion for learning, while also developing students’ confidence necessary to succeed academically. The amazing Golden Retriever, Sparky, is a professor of wisdom and bravery in Sparky's Bully Workshop. Devine encourages children to find their inner boldness and confidence when faced with a bully. Her slogan is “let’s turn bullies into friends—fear into bravery. We need to be more accepting of everyone, especially since we live in an extremely diverse world.”
Devine’s children’s book, Santa’s Bully Elf, has been winning the hearts of teachers and parents. She arrives dressed as an elf ready to bring in the holiday season with excitement and fun! This book was written and published as a way to promote an anti-bullying message. The book intertwines Christmas spirit with an elf, one of the main characters, who happens to be a Golden Retriever named Sparky! Everyone loves the idea of a dog as an elf! Two children are currently on Santa’s “naughty” list because they just can’t stop bullying! Can Sparky return them to Santa’s “nice” list?
“My books are written for elementary school aged children to teach them how wrong and hurtful bullying is to others through a familiar narrative of the holiday season,” Devine said. “As an author, I wanted children to understand that everyone should be treated the same. Our society spends too much time analyzing and judging others.”
Awards:
Recognized in South Jersey Magazine, Courier Post, Sentenial Ledger, Women of Distinction Magazine, Story Monsters Ink/Scholastic, and Reader's Choice Awards.
Speaking Engagements and School Presentations:
The children are fully engaged and involved in my presentation. We interact through questions and answers. Teachers will receive lesson plans that meet core standards in learning for my book. 4-6 graders perform a skit on bullying Select children are presented awards for kindness/respect Motivational Chant Video Presentation Interactive Book Reading (children are involved) Discussion on writing process, characters, and theme.
Presentation Audience:
Preschool
Grades K-3
Grades 4-6