Kidpower’s “Starting Strong Story Hour” 

Kidpower’s simple yet powerful skills help children to: protect their feelings from hurtful words; check first with their adults before doing anything that might put them at risk; move away from someone doing unsafe things such as playing too roughly; set appropriate boundaries on touch; and get help from busy adults.

Kidpower uses interactive and age-appropriate social stories and practices to teach kids how to stay safe with people in ways that are fun rather than scary. Both children and their adults will find this program immediately useful. The Starting Strong Safety Lessons and Starting Strong Teacher’s Guide books can also help people caring for younger children create a common understanding about safety in their families, preschools, kindergartens, and other groups. Older siblings may also join, but the examples and stories are geared for younger children.

About the Author

In 1985, author Irene van der Zande, founder and executive director of Kidpower International, protected a group of eight young children, including her own two, from a man who was threatening to kidnap them. This frightening experience led her to take her first self-defense class and then to work with experts worldwide to establish Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International in 1989.

Today, Kidpower is a global nonprofit leader in protecting people of all ages and abilities from bullying, violence, and abuse through awareness, action, and skills, and has helped millions people worldwide to take charge of their safety. All income Kidpower receives from books sales goes to help our nonprofit organization cover the cost of publication and of providing educational resources.

This FREE event will take place at The Bookshop Santa Cruz in the children's section from 10 to 11 am on Thursday July 11. All children must be accompanied by their adult.