Montco DA and Mission Kids Teach Internet Safety Through Book

The more than 100 public elementary schools throughout Montgomery County received copies of Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman's children's book "The Mouse Who Went Surfing Alone", as part of a collaborative Internet Safety awareness campaign with the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center.

Mission Kids, a national nonprofit child advocacy center, co-founded by Ferman, is dedicated to easing the criminal justice system for children who have been victims of abuse.

According to a Mission Kids press release, for more than two years, Ferman and Mission Kids distributed the book and visited with hundreds of children across the county to educate children and parents about online uses, from Internet gaming t social media.

"More than ever, children are exposed to the dangers of the Internet, so it is important they are able to recognize the signs of online solicitation," Abbie Newman, Mission Kids' executive director, said in the release.

Newman thanked the Verizon Foundation for their $15,000 grant to Mission Kids in support of the Internet Safety campaign among the county's elementary schools.

"The Mouse Who Surfed Alone" was published in 2011. According to the Mission Kids website, it follows the adventures of a young mouse named Wesley, who, despite his parents' warnings, went surfing alone and encountered lots of predators, who must use quick thinking and common sense to avoid dangers.

According to the release, Ferman donated "The Mouse Who Surfed Alone" to every public elementary school library and classroom in Montgomery County in recognition of April as "Child Abuse Prevention Month".

Proceeds from the book will benefit Mission Kids. Copies of the book will also be available to private and parochial schools.