After a stellar career, tons of Academy Award nominations and bringing home the Oscar for the 2005 film “Million Dollar Baby,” actor Morgan Freeman can now add winner of the Mom’s Choice Award for Excellence to his resume.
The 76-year old actor and director just won an award for narrating the book “Loukoumi And The Schoolyard Bully,” along with Nia Vardalos from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” fame. Beloved actress Olympia Dukakis received the award as well.
The children’s book chronicles the story of Loukoumi, who get’s teased by the playground bully Igor the alligator for having such a unique name and Freeman plays the role of Igor. As the story concludes, the bully gives up his nasty ways and develops a tolerance and acceptance for Loukoumi and decides to turn from his bullying ways.
Just within the past few years, the concept of bullying has gone from staying within the confines of the playground to reaching mainstream discussions among parents, teachers and politicians, which makes this book very timely, because it seems children are finally starting to speak out about the problem of being harassed, teased or pushed around.
What’s also cool about the book is that proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so not only does “Loukoumi And The Schoolyard Bully” provide useful lessons for kids, it provides monetary assistance and helps St. Jude expand on the good work they’ve been doing.
Besides Freeman, Vardalos and Dukakis, other characters in the book are played by John Aniston from ‘Days of Our Lives,” actor Frank Dicopoulos, disco diva Gloria Gaynor, news correspondent Alexis Christoforous and Tony award nominee Constantine Maroulis.
The book was written by author Nick Katsoris, who’s written five other books on the Loukoumi character, which include “Loukoumi, Growing up with Loukoumi,” “Loukoumi’s Good Deeds,” “Loukoumi’s Gift” and “Loukoumi’s Celebrity Cookbook,” which all make wonderful gifts this holiday season.
Congrats go out to Mr. Freeman, the author and the rest of the cast.
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