I recently entered a writing contest with a story about bullying, and several of the writers who critiqued it said bullying was too mature for a picture book. I disagree. I’ve worked in the school system long enough to know that, unfortunately, bullying happens to children in elementary school as well as middle and high schools. My message involved a more positive way for children to deal with it. Somehow, I believe the other writers missed that message, which is a shame. I’ve seen too many of our youth suffering from depression, anxiety, cutting, taking drugs, and a few who have been hospitalized, and I was trying to help others before it got to that stage. I hope I find an agent or editor who will understand that and help me.