Video: Putting a stop to bullying!
The third picture book in local author Brenda Darnley Martin's Tampa Bay based series promoting positive life choices has been released.  "The Treasure-Hunt Three and Judge Mia's Decree" written for elementary age children emphasizes the inappropriateness of bullying behavior and the importance of getting help in a bullying situation. 

The book is dedicated to "the memory of Tampa Police Officers Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis and their brave comrades in law enforcement, who serve to protect us all from bullying." 
Martin wrote the book in late 2009, and was in the final phases of approving the illustrations and page layout on June 29, 2010 when Kocab and Curtis were killed during an early morning traffic stop.  "I had been thinking about the book's dedication for a number of weeks, but it suddenly became crystal clear to me.  Our law enforcement officers are the ultimate line of defense against bullying of all types," Martin said. 

Like the first two books in the series, "Freddie, Hector and Tish: The Treasure-Hunt Fish" (2008) and "The Treasure-Hunt Fish and Miss Bernadette's Wish" (2009), "The Treasure-Hunt Three and Judge Mia's Decree" relates the adventures and life lessons of Freddie, Hector and Tish, three young fish living in Old Tampa Bay.

The book tells the story of how Freddie and Tish seek help from Officer Muldoon (an octopus who represents the "long arms of the law") when they witness Hector being bullied by a school of sharks.  Muldoon quickly takes charge and the sharks are brought up before the bench of Judge Mia Mendez, who sets the rules straight.

Martin wrote her third book after attending various Hillsborough County courthouse work-sessions where she was very impressed by the decency and integrity of the judges.
Interestingly the name of the storybook judge was not an arbitrary choice: Martin had donated "naming rights for a character" to a local YMCA silent auction and the winner chose to name the character after her infant granddaughter.

Martin worked as a Theatre Staff member in the early days of the Florida Aquarium and was ultimately inspired to create a children's book-series with a Tampa theme. 

Brenda is a Speech & Communications graduate of St. Mary's College and holds a Masters in Marketing and Management from the University of Notre Dame, both in South Bend, Indiana.  A Detroit native and former Chicago resident, Martin also produces and hosts talk radio programs, most recently "Something's Brewing on the Radio" with partner/co-host, Rita Ciccarello.  Brenda Martin resides in Tampa. 

She enjoys reading aloud to schoolchildren during author appearances, which include fish-shaped cookies and a Q&A session.  "Discussions about bullying will certainly come up at future events, even young children know being a bully is wrong," said Ms Martin.