This entertaining mix of world tales and personal stories addresses the universal experience of standing up for yourself in the face of adversity and bullying. Through fables, myths, and stories from his own life growing up in a rough neighborhood, award-winning storyteller and educator Dr. David Gonzalez offers insights and strategies for cultivating compassionate relationships and communities. Stories are chosen based on grade level from the following list: Speedy and Greedy—India Raven and Pigeons—Persia Heaven and Heck—source unknown Three Whiskers of a Lion—East Africa Calabash of Wisdom—West Africa The Open Window—Zen story The Fallen Groceries—Jack Kornfield

If you’re booking for an elementary school, consider Mad Dog and Me for the older students and David’s program Aesop’s Bops for preK-2. Aesop’s Bops emphasizes honesty and friendship and together with Mad Dog and Me makes for a great day of character education assemblies for your school. North Jersey only.

This assembly comes with a Creative Classroom Toolkit! The Creative Classroom Toolkit is a collection of innovative educational tools that extend your in-school performances into a series of engaging, curriculum-based lessons. Included in the toolkit are artist videos, activity videos and an educator’s guide. Contents are delivered digitally after scheduling a David Gonzalez assembly.