Marcy Pusey

Weirdo and Willy Marcy Pusey

Willy is taunted by his classmates for being weird--for the way he dresses, what he eats, and the things he likes to do. One day, a "Weirdo" actually shows up in response to their name-calling. The creature wants to play! Thus begins a tale of unlikely friendship: Weirdo and Willy find the companionship they've been missing in the most unlikely of people... er, creatures.

This story is about accepting differences and not prejudging people. It's about co-operation and selflessness.

Through playful imagination, "Weirdo and Willy" takes on the psychologically traumatic and scarring experiences of name-calling, bullying, victimhood, and being a social outcast. "Weirdo and Willy" turns the bully-victim relationship on its head by transforming the usual belittling names that kids call each other into delightful awe-inspiring creatures that befriend the children. By the end of the story, what began as a negative name used to exclude and ridicule a child becomes a heroic, likeable name- a name a child would wear with pride. "Weirdo and Willy" also explores how to make friends and pull oneself out of social isolation or an outcast state.

Taunters beware! You never know what might actually show up!