Do Not Break the Circle

DO NOT BREAK THE CIRCLE brings to life a powerful collection of voices through poetry and illustration that are intended to confront the effects of bullying on primary age children. It is a reminder to those who mentor children that both our words and actions have meaning, and that bullying behavior, whether intended or not, can leave lasting scars that often become the child's burden for years come. This book seeks to heighten awareness of such behavior and its consequences. The words and pen and ink sketches are intended to be a powerful medium to drive the message home.

DO NOT BREAK THE CIRCLE brings to life a powerful collection of voices through poetry and illustration that are intended to confront the effects of bullying on primary age children. It is a reminder to those who mentor children that both our words and actions have meaning, and that bullying behavior, whether intended or not, can leave lasting scars that often become the child's burden for years come. This book seeks to heighten awareness of such behavior and its consequences. The words and pen and ink sketches are intended to be a powerful medium to drive the message home.

Lillian Isenberg Rodich is a retired schoolteacher, a parent, a grandmother and a self-described collector of people. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she moved with her family at a young age to Los Angeles, where she has lived ever since. In 1949, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology from UCLA, and in 1951 she married Seymour Rodich. Together, they raised three children, along with a few dogs, guinea pigs, a snake and some tropical fish along the way. In the mid 1960s, Lillian received her teaching credential from California State University, Northridge. For nearly thirty years, she taught in the Los Angeles Unified School System, spending her entire career working in one of the more economically deprived areas of Southern California. Throughout her life, Lillian Isenberg Rodich's passion has been for her family, her friends, as well as a life long love for the performing arts. First it was ballet, and later folk dancing of all kinds and rich with a diversity of culture and style. Her retirement from classroom teaching in 1992 meant a greater opportunity to pursue her interest in creative writing, along with her love of dancing. Since Seymour's passing in 2002, Lillian Isenberg Rodich has chronicled her life journey, reflecting on her many wide-ranging life experiences. She continues to teach folk dancing to seniors in her community, and both leads and participates in numerous creative writing groups, to help others nourish their creative spirit through the written word – something she intends to continue for years to come.