Christine’s Hope for Kids takes on bullying with Always Better Together, a children’s book with lessons on embracing our differences and the remarkable power of kindness.
Jean and John Gianacaci, the founders of Christine’s Hope for Kids, dreamed of writing a book to honor their daughter, Christine, who loved helping kids, especially kids who were treated unfairly because of their differences. Christine, who died in the 2010 Haiti earthquake, did this simply by being thoughtful and caring. And while she herself was bullied as a child, due to Tourette’s, she was always positive, kind, and the first to run to the side of someone who needed her help. That was Christine.
It was because of Christine’s experience with bullying that Jean and John wanted to try to do something about it, even if it could prevent just one child from being bullied. They asked Linda Martin, a dear friend and a Christine’s Hope for Kids board member, to write a story about bullying, with the hope that it could make a difference. The result of that partnership is Always Better Together, A Story of Acceptance, Friendship and Love. Through a story that every child can relate to, it teaches children important lessons about accepting people’s differences, dealing with peer pressure, standing up for someone being bullied, and the positive and powerful affect simple kindness can have. It is a book that parents can use to start a conversation with their child about bullying, and a tool for teachers to equip kids to successfully meet the challenges bullying presents.
Christine’s desire to help kids struggling with the issues that prevent them from living fuller lives was the inspiration for this book, just as her generous spirit of giving and love of children was the inspiration for Christine’s Hope for Kids. And although Always Better Together was written for kids living at a time when bullying is all too common, it was also written for Christine, who taught us how the simplest act of kindness can make a difference in the life of a child.
Always Better Together is the perfect gift for every child on your holiday list, and at any time of the year. It can be purchased for $24.95 at christineshope.org. Thank you to the following businesses for making this book available:
In Pennington at Artistic Design Studio, Emily’s Cafe and Catering, Orion Jewelry Studio, Pennington Quality Market, Rosedale Mills, The Front Porch, and Twirl, and in Robbinsville at Salon Xtraordinaire. Christine’s Hope for Kids will also be at Pennington Quality Market, for a special book signing, on Saturday, December 12, from 12noon to 4pm.
Submitted by Christine’s Hope for Kids, which is a local non-profit with one abiding principle: that every child deserves to be a kid, regardless of his or her circumstances. The foundation was inspired by Christine Gianacaci, the daughter of Jean and John, who lost her life when an earthquake struck while she was on a mission in Haiti, doing what she loved,
helping underprivileged children. In the eleven years since it’s inception, Christine’s Hope for Kids has dispersed over $1,000,000 to 130 local agencies, providing tens of thousands of children with the kind of things most children take for granted, but are unattainable for so many. The proceeds from the sale of this book will enable Christine’s Hope for Kids to help even more underserved children in our local communities.
To learn what Christine’s Hope for Kids is doing to give hope and change lives, make a donation, or volunteer, please visit christineshope.org.
