Anti-Bullying Author Visits Hartland and Says 'Spread the Nice'

Kristy Short, an anti-bullying advocate and author, brought her "Operation Nice" program to students Friday at Hartland's for the second straight year.

Short, who is based in Ypsilanti, spoke to each grade level, outlining her simple "be nice to everyone every day" message to elementary children that she says can stick with them into their teen years.

“This event could not come at a better time,” Short said in a news release prior to the visit. “With the , now more than ever kids need to hear about the importance of being kind to one another and coming together as a team to prevent bullying. It’s such a disturbing story, and I for one am tired of hearing stories like these.

"Everyone needs to hear about the positive events that are taking place … giving some hope that the bullying epidemic can be combatted and rallying people to action.”

Following her day at Creekside, Short stopped at to sign copies of her children's books — Zanda Humphrey's Big Sweet Invention and Zanda Humphrey’s Operation Nice. She also spoke with Hartland Patch. (See video above.)

Operation Nice features fourth-grade scientist Zanda Humphrey who creates the BE-BOT (Bully Eliminator – Bio Optic Transformer). The book serves as a basis for Short's anti-bullying program.

“Operation Nice is different from any other anti-bullying program because it’s tied to the book. The story engages kids from the start. They also develop an immediate loyalty to the book’s highly memorable characters, which drive them to continue Operation Nice in their own school.” Short said in her news release.

“Even better, the anti-bullying message is not one of retribution, but rather bullying is combated through acts of kindness and unity — and that’s the ideal message for kids.”

For more information on Short, visit her website at ZandaHumphrey.com or on her Zanda Facebook page. Short also welcomes email at kristy@zandahumphrey.com.