Children, joined by their parents or caretakers, learned the importance of standing up for themselves in The Isle of Skoo, Stand Up! on Wednesday, June 25.

Children ages 2-10 gathered at Hawley Elementary School’s gym to enjoy the newest show in The Isle of Skoo, an interactive music and puppet show where children are taught the importance of empathy and social connection.

The Isle of Skoo itself is an imaginary, colorful place with animals and objects that talk. The show has children meet the titular Skoo and become lighthouse keepers with him, “standing tall and shining bright” to make the world a better place.

The newest show, The Isle of Skoo, Stand Up! taught children how to stick up for themselves when someone treats them unkindly.

Under the direction of performer Ashley Raymond, children danced, marched, and listened to songs from the short-tempered Ralphy the Wave, who wishes for a new life, and the free-spirited Don the Clown Fish, who loves making jokes more than anything else.

It is through adventures and conversations with Raymond, Ralphy, Don, and his fellow lighthouse keepers that Skoo learns jokes that are funny to others can be hurtful to someone else, and how to advocate for himself when he feels hurt.

By the end of the show, everyone was all smiles as they waved goodbye and sang together.

An offering of the Newtown-based nonprofit Ben’s Lighthouse, The Isle of Skoo is one step in the group’s mission of spreading compassion and empathy.

C.H. Booth Library Children’s Librarian Alana Bennison, who worked with Ben’s Lighthouse to set up the HES show, said she was really excited for the premiere. The C.H. Booth Library has hosted The Isle of Skoo performances before, but Bennison noted that they wanted a bigger space for the new assembly show.

The HES gym made for the perfect location for Ben’s Lighthouse to prepare the vibrant isle setting, complete with a beach backdrop, a blue sky dotted with clouds, and a tall red and white lighthouse.

Ben’s Lighthouse Executive Director Francine Wheeler, who wrote the music and programming for the show, said she does not use the word bully in the show.

However, she said parents and families know it is good for kids to understand what to do, or at least how to feel, when someone treats you badly.

“Even if they don’t mean to treat you badly and you want to share with them why, this show gives them the tools for that,” Wheeler said.

She added that Ben’s Lighthouse wants to go throughout the state and bring its assembly shows to places such as schools and community centers. Newtown, Wheeler said, gets to have everything debuted, and this show was no different.

However, it is only the first of many stops for The Isle of Skoo, Stand Up!

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.