The Bernie book series has grown larger than only publishing new stories about Bernie and his friends. We have a mission to spread kindness, acceptance and inclusion throughout the world.
The Bernie Mission is extraordinary because it is being propelled by people that we have never met. I had the misconception that Shanna and I would have to personally be behind every step of the mission. While it is true that we are the main driving force, Bernie has helpers across the country, and even in other parts of the world.
Last spring, a wonderful, kind teacher in Murrieta, California found Bernie via Instagram. She not only introduced her class to Bernie, but she also helped me arrange a Zoom meeting so I could meet all of them! The Monte Vista students are well on their way to making a difference in the world.
Craig O’Neill is the evening news anchor on THV11 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Craig has taken Bernie the One-Eyed Puppy to several Arkansas schools on his “Reading Roadtrips”. He even used Bernie to talk about diversity at Don Roberts Elementary in Little Rock. Don Roberts is one of the largest public schools in Little Rock and over 27 languages are spoken there. Their library has a special copy of the Bernie book, donated by Craig O’Neill.
Robin Green is another teacher who helped the Bernie Mission. Robin (my hubby’s cousin) contacted me about having a virtual reading for World Read Aloud Day last February. Thanks to modern technology and the assistance of several teachers, I was able to read to kindergarten through third grade students in Palm Beach, Florida. After spending the morning with their classrooms, I feel like Team Bernie is going strong in Palm Beach.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet another member of the Bernie Mission, six-year old Colt. Colt sharing Bernie’s message of kindness and acceptance by donating a copy of Bernie Picks a Pumpkin to his first grade class. Bernie, Spike and I met him when he and his dad delivered over 20 thank you letters from Colt and his classmates. Our new friend, Colt, is kind, smart and funny and is the epitome of the Bernie Mission.
There are many more people who have contributed to the Bernie Mission. My mom has mailed books all over the country and is planning to mail the books to a special school in England. My brother has gifted books to children he encounters and even took books to a school and library in Utqiagvik, Alaska – the northernmost town in the USA. Bernie has been a guest at story time in Southington, Ohio, where he has made many friends who help spread his kindness. Most recently, my friend Monica in Jacksonville, Florida, purchased ten books to distribute at local Little Free Libraries.
Monica inspired a new way to help the Bernie Mission. We would like to have Bernie books donated to all of the Little Free Libraries and with the help of people like Monica it is possible. This is an affordable way to help spread kindness and acceptance to thousands of children. Instead of only reaching one child or family, this project has the potential for each book to reach dozens of children and families. For more information, please contact me at sallykurjan@gmail.com.
The Bernie Mission is growing faster than I ever dreamed possible with the help of family, friends and Bernie’s friends we haven’t yet met. Thank you to everyone who sees the importance of promoting kindness and acceptance through the story of a little one-eyed puppy.
Bernie the One Eyed Puppy 