Anger and bullying are parts of growing up, but it seems that conventional ways of dealing with these issues fail. Teachers cannot be expected to keep an eye on every student every second. Parents aren’t present in the classroom to defend their third-grader. Kids aren’t taught how to take care of their anger until their anger becomes a problem. What can be done, then, to put a preemptive end to the bullying and let the healing begin?

Educator and author Linda Davis presents an alternative way of looking at juvenile psychological development in Conflict Mediation. Davis uses poetry to describe situations, emotions, and resolutions, followed by questions that delve deeper into the meaning of the poems. From an adult who keeps bullies away to ways of using kind language, this workbook guides students to insights on interpersonal interaction.

From her years of observing children in the public school system, Davis has developed an understanding of what it’s like to be a kid and of all the difficulties being a kid presents. With poems directed toward third to fifth graders, she also directs her words to teachers, parents, and counselors. Childhood should be fun, not scary. By teaching children about the bad stuff, maybe we can help them reach the good stuff—self-esteem, joy, and kindness to others.

One day on Christian radio, I heard a minister talking about the ignorance in the Church today. He said they may know the stories of the Bible, but they do not see the big picture. That is what gave me the idea to write God’s Plan beats the devil’s plan. I saw the story as a format upon which all the Bible stories, as well as our lives, are built. Concepts are taught such as: we have a choice to do right or wrong, we can worship or rebel, there are consequences to wrong actions, the devil is competing with God for His creation, Jesus came from heaven to earth and back, and God sometimes says no. I saw the book as something children and adults could read and enjoy together, and also as a witnessing tool. After making copies and sending them to my grandchildren, as well as other relatives and friends who have children, I received enthusiastic responses and suggestions to publish. Children are given stories and pictures about monsters, but we dare not tell them about the devil. Children should know what really happened to cause this world to be the way it is, but God has a plan, and He wins in the end.