Now that July is coming to a close, families everywhere begin to look ahead to the back-to-school season and the beginning of a brand new school year.  My daughter is only 3.5 years old and not quite ready for school yet, but I have to admit that I cringe a little when I begin to think about it.

During my days as a middle school teacher, I was witness to too many episodes of bullying between classmates and saw firsthand the devastating effects that these instances had on those children.  While I never hesitated to stop those events right away, I also realized that what teachers actually witness is just the tip of a very painful iceberg.

To be honest, I'm quite terrified of two things once Riley finally makes her way away from the safe confines of home to the unsteady waters of Kindergarten:

• 1.  She will be the victim of a nasty bully.
• 2.  She will be the nasty bully.

Children oftentimes emulate their peers and do things they know are wrong just to fit in and be accepted.  I am fearful that a young girl like Riley might not know what to do when she's either picked on or pressured to pick on someone else.  That's why I was thrilled to learn of a new children's book series entitled "Captain McFinn and Friends."  The aim of these books is to help children realize that they should always "be a buddy, not a bully."  Keep reading to learn more!

Captain McFinn and Friends is an original, innovative and educational book series designed to promote kindness and friendship for children ages 4-8 years old.  Children, parents, teachers, school administrators and camp staff will all enjoy and benefit from this collection of books.  "Be a buddy, not a bully" is the underlying theme of this book series.

According to the National Association of Elementary School Principals, bullying has become a national epidemic with an estimated 18 million children in the U.S. being bullied each year.  Negative feelings from being bullied also account for 3 million student absences each month.  Educators agree that it is critical to teach kids about anti-bullying when they are young to discourage this negative trend.

Captain McFinn and Friends was created by Phyllis Cafaro, with inspiration from her grandchildren.  In 2006, she began her journey to teach important life lessons to children through fictional stories and music.  Her goal is to initiate positive changes in children everywhere.  The following three books currently comprise this series along with an activity book and sing-a-long CD:

The Legend of Captain McFinn and Friends:

In this story, we are introduced to the friendly black tip shark, Captain McFinn, who was once one of the biggest bullies on Sandy Dusty Reef.  He meets the Undersea Friends who teach him, through kindness, that being a friend is always better than being a bully.  Captain McFinn transforms from bully to leader and protector of the Sandy Dusty Reef.

Captain McFinn and Friends Meet Coral Rose:

Captain McFinn and Friends go on an adventure of discovery when they stumble upon a new paradise where they meet their newest friend, Princess Coral Rose - The Princess Between the Tides.

Captain McFinn and Friends Rock!

The day Captain McFinn and his Undersea Friends start a band, they learn about more than just making great music.  When Bella feels left out, it takes some extra Finn Power to get everybody ready for the big contest.  Will hard work and friendship win the prize or will Tox and the Barracuda Brothers ruin the fun?

This series of children's books is very colorful and engaging, especially to the younger crowd for which they are designed.  My daughter, who happens to be crazy about ocean life and pirating adventures thanks to Jake and the Neverland Pirates, found the subject matter especially stimulating and seemed to hang on every word as I read these stories to her.

They're also a great tool for starting a conversation with your children about the negative effects of bullying and what to do if they are either bullied or ever feel the urge to bully someone else.  Make sure to usher in a happy and healthy school year by reading and discussing the Captain McFinn and Friends book series with your kids right away.

Captain McFinn and Friends Books:

Disclosure:  I received the soft cover books mentioned above from Captain McFinn and Friends in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. This product review is based on my own personal experiences with this item and is completely honest and objective.