To This Day -- an anti bullying manifesto

To This Day by Shane Koyczan
Annick Press // September 2014
hardcover, 72 pages
ISBN: 978-1554516391
source: egalley from publisher

About the book:
Shane Koyczan wrote To This Day about his experiences with bullying. It received attention in February of 2013 as he performed the spoken word poem for a TED talk. It was that TED talk that first got my attention. I read the poem again later on and thought how great it would be to incorporate into my classroom. Then something magical happened - thanks to the power of positive influence on the internet, To This Day blew up. It was everywhere and now is a book. The book is the poem that Shane wrote set to the unique illustrations of 30 artists. This collaboration of talents produced a beautiful anti bullying manifesto.

My thoughts:
This is a BEAUTIFUL book. The words are strong, true, sad, heartfelt, lyrical, and full of purpose. I feel like every word was chosen with thought. The message behind this book - bullying and it's effects - is timely and necessary. We live in a world where bullying runs rampant. Thankfully, people are finally being to realize it's not "just kids being kids" and that the long lasting effects can be dangerous. This book is one that every teacher, parent, caregiver, therapist, and counselor needs to read. Then, we all need to share it with every child we encounter. Adults bullies were made in childhood- let's use this as a tool to stop the cycle where it begins. This book is perfect for teaching today's adolescents. I know a lot of adults who could use this lesson as well.
In addition to the meaning, this book is beautifully illustrated. The set reflects the artists, and that is made evident in every turn off the page. Not only does this show how all at its beautiful, it also translates into a perfect discussion on everyone being different and how to embrace that.

I highly recommend this book, and will be ordering it for my classroom. This book will become an essential tool in my social groups & therapy groups that I hold every week in my class. I also teach Rachel's Challenge weekly, and will incorporate this title into those sessions as well. The author also shared links to his spoken word, which I'll use as well. To This Day is in amazing read!



About the author:

SHANE KOYCZAN IS AN AWARD WINNING CANADIAN POET, AUTHOR AND PERFORMER.
The world took notice of Shane Koyczan when his influential, anti-bullying, To This Day Project video went viral in early 2013 and has reached over 14 million views and counting. 

Powerfully engaging and authentic in attitude, Shane’s explorations are relevant to our times in the way that Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen were to theirs. But unlike the musicians that he’s often compared to, poets rarely infiltrate pop culture.  Shane emerges in a new wave of 21st century poetry that dares to belong to the people and speak directly to them in their own voice.




write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow

Book cover image were captured by screenshot while reading on my phone. Book information gathered from Amazon.com. Author image and information gathered from Shane Koyczan's website. I received this book as an egalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.