Sometimes the biggest bully is not the kid next to us in class. Sometimes the most negative voice comes from within.

This is the powerful message author Miriam Laundry is promoting in her latest children’s book, The Big, Bad Bully. Laundry’s fourth book is co-authored by Jack Canfield, the motivational speaker and author best known for the Chicken Soup series. Illustrations by Eva Morales.

“In a world where bullies can be found on both the playground and on social media, it’s important for children and their parents to recognize when negative self-thoughts become damaging to a child’s self-esteem,” says Laundry.

Laundry’s experience writing impactful children’s books paired with Canfield’s decades of work in the field of personal development, not to mention the many bestsellers to his name, means The Big, Bad Bully is more than just a story. There is a strong message to take away as well, one that will help children strive to be better people – to others and to themselves.

While the book is written for children, there’s a powerful lesson to be learned by adults as well, even those who are not parents. The book includes workbook exercises and resources for children and adults to get even more out of the story and to encourage more open discussion between kids and their caregivers.