CRESTVIEW — Area elementary school students now have a new tool in their arsenals against bullying.
Gordon Martial Arts is distributing “How to Deal With Bullying," the first of three planned coloring books, to schools.
Tom Gordon, GMA owner, is distributing 10,000 copies of the book, which he published for $3,500 plus Crestview illustrator John Willis’ artist’s fee. Barbara Gordon, Tom's wife, did the book’s layout design.
“The reason I’m so passionate about bullying is because we’ve all been bullied,” Gordon said. “It’s a terrible situation when you feel totally helpless. I remember that feeling and I want to empower these children to stand up to bullying.”
The couple plans to follow up with coloring books about being cautious of strangers and standing up to illegal drugs. The "Stranger Danger" publish date is in 2015; the third book comes out in 2016.
Riverside Elementary School second-grader Madison Long is already a step ahead of potential bullies. Through martial arts classes, she knows how to stand up for herself.
“I have three stripes on my white belt,” she said.
When Madison's master, Greg Bledsoe, presented her with a copy of the coloring book, she deemed it “cool.”
Instilling the self-confidence Madison has developed is among the goals in providing the coloring books, Gordon said.
“Martial arts are a lot more than the kicking and punching we see on TV,” he said.
As well as self-defense, the arts teach values including discipline, confidence, integrity and self-control.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: STAND UP TO BULLYING: Local schools get 10,000 coloring books to teach kids tips (VIDEO)