PAYSON, Utah - Nov. 14, 2026 - PRLog -- Utah movie theater manager and author Cory Tarwater is sharing a catalog of children's picture books through his independent imprint, JCT Creations. Written for bedtime read-alouds, classrooms, and homeschool families, his stories focus on practical kindness, forgiveness, and family heritage.
Tarwater's commitment to anti-bullying stories began in Mecca, California. Bullied in kindergarten, he saw that change the day one boy sat down beside him and asked how he was doing, sparking a friendship that has lasted more than 40 years. Today, Tarwater manages a movie theater in Provo, Utah, where he watched a young employee get left out by peers, prompting him to write his first book. Since its release, parents have shared how the stories resonate at home, including one mother whose younger daughter stopped fighting with her older sister after reading it.
"I wrote these books because I know what it feels like to be left out, and I know what one kind word can do," said Tarwater. "I want every child to learn that early."
THE BOOKS
The Grumble-Gator's Greatest Raft: A Tale of Toby, Barnaby, and the Sunny-Stream Pond (Book 1, ages 3-8): When Barnaby, a grumpy alligator, splashes Toby the turtle off his lily pad, Toby responds with a kind word and invites Barnaby to build a raft together, turning a bully into a friend.
The Grumble-Gator's Bravest Choice: A Tale of Barnaby, Toby, and the Kindness That Breaks the Cycle (Book 2, ages 3-8): Barnaby confides that he was once picked on himself, showing young readers how forgiveness and empathy break the cycle of bullying. Includes a "Let's Talk About It" discussion page for parents and teachers.
Under the Same Sky: The True Love Story of Roy & Mary Rucker (hardcover): This 68-page book chronicles the love story of Tarwater's grandparents, beginning with a boy, a girl, and a bicycle under the Arizona sky and tracing their lifelong partnership.
"A fist can break a branch, but a kind word can plant a forest." - From the Sunny-Stream Pond series
Watch the book trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-XO6O9uR9o
FREE CLASSROOM RESOURCES
All three titles are available on Amazon and other online booksellers. Tarwater also provides free tools, including an Educator Kit for school read-alouds, seasonal gratitude printables, and a One-Week Homeschool Kindness Unit. He has discussed his books on podcasts including Mindset2Results with Elena Apalkova and Redesign Your Life Today with Daniel Kobryner.
Books and where to buy: jctcreations.com/bookshelf
Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)
Source: JCT Creations
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