In this broadcast of myFace’s Virtual Summer Series – DANI and the Day the Bully Changed Everything, hear author Donna Rooney read excerpts from her book and then answer questions in the Audience Q&A.
HOW TO WATCH
Click play on the YouTube video above and scroll over the image to see the volume icon and unmute or adjust the volume. You can also watch on your computer, phone, tablet, or TV using your preferred website browser or the YouTube App.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Dani witnesses a brutal bullying of a popular boy on the school playground, her world is knocked upside down.
Through a dream, Dani’s beloved farm animals become lifelike and are presented with a similar problem – a new bull (bully) on their farm. For the first time the animals find themselves bystanders to a vicious attack, which drastically changes the farm’s loving climate as well as each of their personalities.
They wrestle with how they can end the bullying and take back their farm, without becoming the next victim. A creative approach to stop bullying is implemented, and no one knows who will need it next.
It is through understanding, compassion and kindness the farm takes on a transition like never before and every life of the triad (victim, bully and bystanders) is changed forever.
There are many layers in the unpredictable story that recognize, teach and celebrate what makes each of us unique, plus delves deeply into the emotions of the triad. The main characters and surprise ending will stay in the heart and mind of the reader long after the story is told.
ABOUT OUR AUTHOR: DONNA ROONEY
Donna Dimaio Rooney is the author of the children’s chapter book DANI and the Day the Bully Changed Everything (Sheepy Press 2016). Born and raised in Westchester County, Donna earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pace University. She began her career working in the television industry more than two decades ago at LIVE! with Regis and Kathie Lee, followed by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Runaway with the Rick and Famous, ABC NEWS Turning Point and Good Morning America where she was appointed to work with anchor Diane Sawyer. After ten years in television, Donna went into the field of public relations working at a top firm in Manhattan, where she received two silver HSMAI Golden Bell awards for public relations before embarking on her own. Donna has contributed articles to American Spa and For the Bride magazines, and wrote a chapter in The Spirit Whispers (New Priority Press 2014). Out of great concern for our youth and the bullying epidemic, Donna wrote DANI and the Day the Bully Changed Everything, which she was encouraged to publish by the students in her son’s elementary school class. The month DANI was released, it made Outskirts Press Top 10 Best Selling Books in Self-Publishing list for June 2016. Since the launch of her book, Donna has been speaking at schools, camps and various venues empowering children to replace fear with power to end bullying, plus challenging them to be kind. She has dedicated DANI to all the children, because they truly have the power to change the world. DANI has been featured in Delmarva Now, part of the USA Today Network, among various publications across the country. The Jennifer Lawrence Foundation (founded by the Oscar-winning actress) selected DANI to be included in their prestigious swag bags for the 2017 Awards in the Arts event at Churchill Downs (home of the Kentucky Derby) in Louisville, Kentucky. In November 2019, DANI was awarded a gold Mom’s Choice Awards. “Our aim is to introduce families and educators to best-in-class products and services,” explains Dawn Matheson, Executive Director of the Mom’s Choice Awards. A New Yorker at heart, Donna now lives in Connecticut with her husband, a special education teacher, and their son.
