Kindness over conflict
Toby chooses a kind word instead of hitting back — a gentle, powerful lesson in handling bullies and big feelings.
The kindness story where the bully becomes the hero
The Grumble-Gator's Greatest Raft
A gentle turtle. A grumpy gator. And the kind word that turns a bully into the pond's greatest hero. A read-aloud about second chances, for ages 3–8.
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Book One of
Sunny-Stream Pond
Sunny-Stream Pond
Why families love it
A bedtime story with a big little heart
More than a cute animal tale — it gives children the words and courage to choose kindness, even when it's hard. A gentle anti-bullying picture book and read-aloud favorite for ages 3–8, loved by parents, teachers, and homeschoolers for social-emotional learning (SEL), empathy, and bullying prevention.
Everyone can change
Grumpy Barnaby learns that being big just means more room for friends. It's never too late to start again.
Made for reading aloud
Warm, rhythmic language and richly painted pond scenes make it a joy to share at bedtime or story time.
For teachers & librarians
Free classroom kindness resources
An SEL and anti-bullying read-aloud for ages 3–8 — with a free educator kit, a read-aloud discussion guide, kindness printables, and author story-time visits, all ready for your classroom or library.
“A fist can break a branch, but a kind word can plant a forest.”— from The Grumble-Gator's Greatest Raft
Peek inside
Step into Sunny-Stream Pond
Every page is painted in the golden light of the pond Toby and Barnaby call home.
A little gift for visiting
Free Sunny-Stream coloring pages
Thanks for stopping by the pond. Here’s a coloring book to print at home — six pages of Toby, Barnaby, and their friends, all ready for crayons. No sign-up, no catch. It’s yours.
Prints on regular paper · ages 3–8 · 6 pages
For grown-ups
From the Sunny-Stream blog
Gentle, practical ideas on kindness, big feelings, and handling bullies — for the parents and teachers reading along.
Kindness & bullying
Standing up to bullies — without hitting back
Five gentle, effective ways to help your child respond to meanness with strength and kindness.
Kindness & bullying
When your child comes home hurt: start by listening
Before you fix the bully problem, listen. Five gentle ways to talk it through together.
Reading & story time
Why reading aloud changes everything
The quiet superpower of ten minutes of story time a day — and how to make it stick.
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