meet the playground kids
 
 
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Award Winning Book!

Winner of The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Gold Medal for Non-Fiction Picture Books 2022, The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards Silver Medal for Young Reader: Nonfiction (8-12 years), The MIPA Midwest Book Awards Gold Medal for Inspirational Books, and the MIPA Midwest Book Awards Gold Medal for Family/Parenting Books.

 
 

“The best breath of fresh air. Kids and adults. Every page hits me right in the feels. This is appropriate for kids, but I’d argue it is equally as impactful for adults. This should be a daily mantra. I love the simplicity of the statements and illustrations.” -Lauren Williams

 “This is such a beautiful book that I read throughout the year with my 2nd-grade students. The message is essential, and the illustrations are incredible. Paintings of children from all over the world. My diverse students can find themselves in this book while learning about the different pathways of kindness. Highly recommend!” -A.C.

“I can’t emphasize enough how this book should be read by everyone, not just children. I’m a retired teacher, but if I was still in the classroom, I would read this to my students on the FIRST day of school! It’s a MUST read!!!” -H.N.

 
 
 

our mission

The playground is the microcosm of the world. Many different kids, interacting, trying to get along, trying to find a place to belong. From picking teams in kickball to jumping off the swings to playing tag, kids have things to say.

And we should listen.

 
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Our Super Cool Story

 
 

Sometimes collaboration can be easy.

Just like kindness.

But you may never know unless you just go for it.

In March of 2020, a mutual friend suggested to Wendy that she check out Bryan’s Instagram feed. She loved what she saw. Bryan was sharing posts about the importance of things like kindness and acceptance and courage. Wendy instantly knew that these words could have come directly from the mouths of the Playground Kids she had created. 

She was curious. How had he forged his path as a golf instructor to now reach people with these honest and simple words of wisdom? She reached out to Bryan. They had a delightful conversation where Bryan shared the story of how he developed “Be The Nice Kid”. 

Six months later, with a hopeful attitude, Wendy reached back out to Bryan with a simple question: “Want to write a book? My images, your words.”

Without hesitation, he answered with a resounding, “Yes!”.

 

Their collaboration began to share the innocence and thoughtfulness of the Playground Kids with the world. Kindness and goodness and inclusion come in all forms. They both felt they wanted to bring their unique perspectives together and create something special.

Throughout the next months, many meetings of the minds took place. They began to seamlessly fit together what they saw as timeless lessons for kids and adults. Wendy, with her beautiful images, and Bryan, with his thoughtful words, were a perfect match. An artistic endeavor with an important message.

Whether you’re an adult, a child, or reconnecting with your inner child, this book will take you on a journey of discovery. It will remind you that you are unique and who you are is not only okay, but somebody to celebrate. The hope is that it becomes a staple in homes, schools, clinics, and anywhere else it’s important to share and discuss the simple wisdom of the Playground Kids.

When it comes right down to it, we are all Playground Kids. And we can all be nice kids.

Playground Kids + Nice Kids = Be Nice. The End.

 
 
 

Meet the kids behind the Kids!

 
 
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Bryan Skavnak

Author

 

Hi, I’m Bryan. I’m a golf pro, speaker, and writer. Yep, it’s the trifecta.

I’ve been teaching and coaching kids for nearly 25 years on what matters most… kindness. Talents and skills come and go, but we can always be nice to each other.

Whether I’m playing games on the golf course, telling stories through my Be the Nice Kid program, or eating nachos with my family, kindness and fun take priority.

I am me. And I’m proud of me. I’m hoping I can show you the same thing. That you are special in your own way.

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Wendy Kieffer Shragg

Illustrator

Hi, I’m Wendy. I’m a mixed media artist who loves living a creative life.

I have faith that art matters. It’s one way we connect, heart to heart; to feel love, to feel understood, to know that we are not alone and that someone else shares our story. 

I will never be too old to play, to learn, to explore. I allow myself to be guided by curiosity and delight and I’ve learned to always, ALWAYS trust the process.

I live my wild and beautiful truth. I dream, I create and I hope to inspire. It is my greatest gift and deepest joy to share my work with you.

 
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