Kids on Fire: A Free Excerpt From The Big Galoot by Shadoe Stevens

THE BIG GALOOT, the first published children’s book by television and radio star Shadoe Stevens, is about bullying, believing in yourself, and never giving up.

Warren Galoot has a funny shaped head, pidgeon-toed feet, and size 42 hands … the biggest hands anyone’s ever seen. And the kids all laugh at him. They mock him and trip him and make fun of him, but no matter what happens, Warren says: “I’m a Galoot / But I have good luck / You can’t get me down / I never give up.”

Bullying has become almost epidemic in America and we have to start talking about it when children are very young. The next generation needs a better beginning.

This insightful, delightful, dramatic, empowering book shows children how bullying feels, and does it in the style of Dr. Seuss.

” . . . those of us who have been galoots will recognize Shadoe’s book. This is a great story for kids about how it’s all right to be an individual and how it’s not all right to take your aggressions out on someone who’s different than you; because you never know what they have to offer. . . . BRAVO, Shadoe!” –Whoopi Goldberg

“Reminiscent of Dr. Seuss . . . Amusing, clever, instructive . . . it sends a message of tolerance and compassion to children of all ages.” –Dick Clark

“Rather than just talk about the importance of family entertainment, Shadoe Stevens put his imagination and pen where his mouth is…” –Henry Winkler

“Your book rocks in more ways than one!” –Gene Simmons

“…I thought it was the best funny book I have ever seen in my life… I just loved the book and I really did like it, it was just a perfect book…” –Chandler, Second Grader

 

And here, for your reading pleasure, is our free excerpt:

The Middleberg School

what a wonderful place,

everything went along

at a MIDDLEBERG PACE,

nothing demanding,

never fast, nor too slow,

everyone got along,

they would “GO WITH THE FLOW.”

They’d GRIN and hold hands,

they felt frisky and free,

they all looked the same,

they would always agree.

They had perfect teeth,

no decay and no plaque,

they had the same face,

brown or yellow, white, black.

They’d nod and they’d sigh,

always at the same time,

their clothing was “nice,”

all their shoes had a SHINE.

The Middleberg Motto

was, “Go Your Own Way,”

but nobody went,

they all wanted to stay.

They had their own “look,”

they had their own style,

their very own language,

the very best SMILE,

everything

they could want,

everything

they could need,

“We’re the smartest,

the best!”

they always agreed.

Then ONE day …

‘Twas a Tuesday morning,

the day he arrived,

the Middleberg School

would never survive,

that shocking arrival,

the one in the suit,

they laughed when they saw

the great big

Galoot.

The Galoot had a grin,

as large as his face,

a long, pointed head,

pointed to the wrong place.

His shirt,

it was wrinkled,

the collar was frayed,

And everyone laughed,

he was clumsy, a geek,

they pointed and gawked,

and then heard him speak.

His voice was pinched up,

like his tie was too tight,

as if holding his nose,

choked up and not right.

Mrs. Gunderson said,

“This is Warren Galoot.”

And wiping his nose

on the sleeve of his suit,

he said, “Garsh, nice to be here,

and what a nice school,

I’m not real smart,

and I’m not very cool,

but I try to be nice,

and try not to fight.

I’d rather be happy

than always be right.

Thank you.”

“That’s very good,”

Mrs. Gunderson said,

and gave him a pat

on the POINT of his head.

“We hope you’ll be happy,

you’ve NOTHING to FEAR.”

But then, taking his seat,

the kids gave a sneer.

They said,

“HEY big Galoot,

your feet are turned in.

Who bought you that suit,

Who poked in that CHIN?

You’re pretty clumsy,

your voice is a squeak,

your head is all pointed,

you look like a freak!”

Then …

they laughed and they laughed,

they SNICKERED and spit,

at recess they tripped him,

they’d pinch, SHOVE and HIT.

He was taunted and teased,

they would mock, PUSH and chase,

they’d say, “Go away,

you’re in the wrong place.”

But he did not crumble,

he’d never get mad,

nutty, crazy, or daffy,

or gloomy or sad,

he’d say,

“I’m a Galoot,

but I have good luck,

you can’t get me down,

I NEVER GIVE UP.”

There were water balloons,

they’d pull out the rug,

he’d slip on banana peels,

then eat a bug,

they’d mock,

ape, and

shame him,

then steal his lunch,

THROW PIES in his face,

then give him a punch,

but he didn’t crack,

would not be afraid,

they’d give him a lemon,

he’d make lemonade,

saying,

“I’m a Galoot,

but I have good luck,

you can’t get me down,

I NEVER GIVE UP.”

Click here to buy the book: The Big Galoot by Shadoe Stevens>>>