Picked-On Poindexter

By Dee 'n' me, LLC
Price $19.99
Age 3-8 yrs.

Picked-On Poindexter is a cute, cuddly, 13-inch plush frog whose story is told in a companion app (available for 99 cents). On Poindexter's first day of school, he makes new friends, but is also confronted by bullies. The makers of Picked-on Poindexter are long-time educators with a focus on fostering emotional expression and self-confidence in children, and their experience and commitment is evident in the ways bullying is handled in the story. Poindexter's mother acknowledges and affirms his different-ness (he has red knees, blue feet, and a diddly on his face) but also coaches him on what to do if he ever finds himself in a situation where someone is picking on him. The fruit of that practical parenting is seen in the effective, realistic ways Poindexter and his new friends respond to the bullies, including bringing a teacher into the mix when appropriate. Both the app (which includes a read-to-me feature with professional narration) and plush toy are well-suited to young children and create a healthy framework within which to understand the dynamics of bullying. The app features five upbeat, original songs, each placed so that the lyrics tie into, and expand on, the storyline.