The JCT Creations blog

Raising kind, confident kids

Gentle, practical thoughts on kindness, big feelings, bullies, and the magic of story time — from author Cory Tarwater.

Author Cory Tarwater beside the title Why I Wrote a Book Where the Bully Becomes the Hero.
A note from the author

Why I Wrote a Book Where the Bully Becomes the Hero

The childhood, and the one friend, behind a kindness story where the bully becomes the hero instead of the villain.

Two lily pads drifting side by side on a calm lake at sunrise.
Kindness & social-emotional

Raising a Child Who Includes Others

Some kids need a friend. Others can be the one who offers it first. Gentle, practical ways to raise the child who welcomes the kid on the edge.

Cory Tarwater on Daniel Kobryner's podcast, talking about creativity and courage.
News & interviews

On the Podcast: Creativity, Courage & Kind Stories

Cory joins Daniel Kobryner to talk creativity, courage, and turning a small idea into a real children’s book. Watch the full interview.

Orange kindness hearts drifting over Sunny-Stream Pond at sunset.
Kindness & Unity Day

Unity Day for Little Ones: Wear Orange, Be Kind

October 21 is Unity Day. Five gentle ways your little one can wear orange and lead with kindness this Bullying Prevention Month.

Barnaby the alligator waving hello beside Toby the turtle and a little frog friend at Sunny-Stream Pond.
Kindness & friendship

Starting the School Year Kind: Helping Your Little One Make Friends

The first weeks of school are hard on little hearts. Five gentle ways to help your child make friends and lead with kindness this year.

The Grumble-Gator Has Gone Worldwide — now available around the world.
News

The Grumble-Gator Has Gone Worldwide

Barnaby and Toby’s pond story is now in bookshops and stores around the world. Here’s how to find your copy wherever you are.

Cover of The Grumble-Gator's Greatest Raft, showing Toby the turtle and Barnaby the gator on a reed raft at sunset.
Kindness & bullying

Bullying Prevention Month: Read-Alouds That Teach Kindness

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Five simple ways to use a read-aloud to talk with kids about bullying and kindness.

Toby the turtle and Barnaby the gator drifting home on their finished reed raft at sunset.
Kindness & bullying

When Your Child Comes Home Hurt: Start by Listening

Before you fix the bully problem, listen. Five gentle ways to talk with your child about being hurt at school.

Toby and Barnaby building a raft together.
Kindness & bullying

Teaching Kids to Stand Up to Bullies — Without Hitting Back

Five gentle, effective ways to help your child respond to meanness with strength and kindness.

Toby the turtle whistling on a lily pad.
Reading & story time

Why Reading Aloud to Your Child Changes Everything

What research and every bedtime tell us about the quiet superpower of reading together.