I have written this book and started a series of others about Dougy Dodd and his friends because bullying has deeply affected my family in a way I never thought possible. I was shocked to find that children in our family had been severely bullied. I was surprised and angered that such wonderful, fun loving and beautiful children could be treated so harshly and judged by others who are just like them. Thankfully the children in my family are surrounded by people who love them and can reinforce their importance in the world and that those who are bullying them are the ones to be pitied. These precious children that God has made part of our family are all followers of Jesus and through the wisdom of parents and Word of God, they will overcome the words and actions that hurt them so deeply. Recently, I was sitting in a doctor's office and found myself facing a young child probably only a little older than Allison in my story. She did have a very prominent birthmark on her face. The child literally sat with her head down and looking at her hands. I wondered what kind of bullying she faced and what her little life was like. I knew she sat with her head down trying to hide the mark that makes her life different than most. My heart went out to this child and I wanted to pick her up and love her. My hope is that in some small way my stories of Dougy Dodd and his friends will have an impact on small children and make them realize that it is very hurtful to bully other children and they need to treat others as they themselves want to be treated as Jesus commands us to do. As they grow they will remember that words hurt and they should not be a part of making someone else feel bad about themselves. I pray in Jesus name for all children everywhere who live every day facing the mean and deliberate words from others who seek to hurt them. I pray these bullies will have their eyes opened and their hearts softened and know that each and every one of us is a child of God and we ar