St. Louis (KSDK) - A local children's author is spreading the message that it's 'ok' to be different.

Author Tim Hill has published a new book called "Joe the Crab Takes a Walk."  The picture book is the first in a three-book series.  The series is aimed at bully prevention, and targets children at a young age.  The books are geared to kids ages two to seven.

The first book in the series is available on the author's website.  The next two are set to be out sometime next year.