Book Spotlight in Partnership with Bears for Cares
The Children’s Book Review

Written by Lotus Kay

Illustrated by Chey Diehl

Ages 5-9 | 34 pages

Publisher: Eifrig Publishing

No Bullies Here!

“Back to school can be daunting to kids…what if I don’t fit in?  What if my clothes are wrong?  What if I don’t make new friends? etc. etc.  Now a new book from award-winning youth writer Lotus Kay, Friends Lift You Up, will help soothe anxieties and guide early readers to having healthy, happy relationships and handle bullying.

Just in time for October’s National Anti-Bullying Month, the newest title in the award-winning Bears for Cares book series, Friends Lift You Up, tackles anti-bullying, how to be a good friend, and being kind towards others. The new release is timely as bullying and other forms of teasing and exclusion continue to be too prevalent in schools. Kay, an author, activist, and musician, formed the Bears for Cares series, with a focus on environmental and animal rights issues, with the support of Jane Goodall Institute’s “Roots & Shoots” youth service initiative. A portion of proceeds from the books goes back to “Roots & Shoots.”

Friends Lift You Up tells the story of April and her best friend Tyla and how sometimes they don’t treat each other the way best friends should. Young readers will learn about what it means to be a good friend, how to prevent bullying, and how to be kind to one another.

An added bonus to the book is “Tips on Being a Friend.” Some examples are:

• Shut down negative talk of others. Gossip can be hurtful.  
• If you see someone by themselves, don’t be afraid to go over and make the first move.
• When teasing friends in a silly way, make sure not to go too far and hurt their feelings.

Also, Lotus pens “Note from the Author” telling her story about being left out in school and how hard it was for her to form friendships. “The relationships we have and how we treat others early in life can set the foundation for the relationships we have now and how we continue to treat others as we grow up.” The book is beautifully illustrated by artist Chey Diehl and published by Eifrig Publishing on recycled, acid-free paper.

Lotus is passionate about creating a more compassionate world both for humans and animals.  Her previous books in the Bears for Cares series focus on protecting the Earth and treating animals kindly and humanely.  Other titles in the series are More Beautiful than Heaven, Billie the Octopus, A Thanksgiving for the Turkeys, and Jenny the Chimpanzee. 

All of these books are part of the campaign Bears for Cares, founded by Lotus and her sister Jazmin on Endangered Species Day as a project of Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots youth service program. The campaign aims to educate children about the state of wildlife and our earth and what they can do to make a difference and create a more compassionate world.

Jenny the Chimpanzee, released in 2020, received rave reviews, a Mom’s Choice Gold Award, and an endorsement from Dr. Jane Goodall.  

Bears for Cares books are also available with stuffed animals based on characters in the books. To purchase gift sets of the Bears for Cares books and toys or individual books visit the Bears for Cares site.  

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of all books and toys will be donated to the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots program.

More books in the Bears for Cares series are coming soon.

About the Author

Lotus Kay, a 21-year-old writer, has been published in many publications, including Green Child Magazine, Natural Parent, Thrive Global, and many others.  She is a recipient of a grant from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program for her work creating the Bears for Cares campaign to educate kids on the importance and beauty of nature and motivate them to help protect the Earth and everything on it. She is also a singer/songwriter and poet.

For more information about Lotus and her books and Bears for Cares, please visit www.bearsforcares.com/team.

About the Illustrator

Chey Diehl is an illustrator who attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated Summa Cum Laude.  She is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Click here for her portfolio.