Children's Books on Bully Prevention
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RECOMMENDED CHILDREN’S BOOKS REGARDING BULLY PREVENTION
Children’s picture books are another excellent way to help children develop appropriate bully prevention skills, as well as assist with the development of their social skills. Below is a list of some of those most popular books. They typically can be found in your favorite online book stores.
1. The Juice Box , Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy. Interest level: K – 8th
Description: Many times kids see a bully in action and do nothing about it. Instead of being bystanders, the kids at Pete’s new school get involved. When the juice box mess becomes more than just a dirty shirt, Pete’s classmates teach him about “The Promise.” It teaches kids about how to speak up when bullying is going on, forgiveness, modeling good behavior, talking to an adult when there is a problem a student can’t manage on his/her own, and making a powerfully positive difference in the school.
2. Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully by Audrey Penn. Interest level: K – 5th
Description: Chester Raccoon and other forest friends are afraid to go to school because of a threatening bully badger with giant claws, fangs, and fire coming out of his nose. With the aid of Chester’s mom, the “children” discover ways to change a bully into a friend.
3. Stop Picking on Me, A First Look at Bullying by Pat Thomas. Interest level: K – 5th
Description: This picture book explores the difficult issue of bullying in terms that very young children can understand. The fears, worries, and questions surrounding this upsetting experience are made accessible to the youngest reader. Interactive questions that adults can ask children are interspersed throughout the book, like: “Do you know anyone who is a bully? What sort of things do they do? Have you ever been bullied? How did it make you feel? What sort of things do you do when someone bullies you? Can you think of any different ways to deal with a bully?”
4. Bully B.E.A.N.S. by Julia Cook. Interest level: K – 8th (and probably older)
Description: “Bobbette was a big, bad bully. She made sure all the kids at my school knew that SHE WAS THE BOSS. ‘If you don’t do exactly what I say…I’LL TWIST YOU INTO A HUMAN PRETZEL’ she’d tell us.” So begins this humorous and serious story of why bullying happens, what children and adults can do to stop it, and what bystanders can do to help. Cook is a former teacher and school guidance counselor.
5. Pink Tiara Cookies for Three by Maria Dismondy. Interest level: K – 5th
Description: Sami just couldn’t be happier. Her very best friend, Stella, lives right next door and they have such a great time together. That is until a new girl, Jasmine, moves in across the street. Now Sami doesn’t know what to do, because best friends come in pairs not in threes. This is a wonderful story about how Sami finds out how to keep her best friend and find room for one more. It’s a great lesson for children everywhere about sharing and caring.
6. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy. Interest level: K – 12
Description: Lucy is one of a kind, and she just loves to eat spaghetti in a hot dog bun. Ralph is just so mean to her. He bothers her on the bus and he bothers her at school. He says that she has “poodle hair” and can’t stand to look at what she eats. Lucy’s wise grandpa teaches her that everyone is different and even though we are all different on the outside, we all have a heart with feelings on the inside. When we treat others with love and kindness, we are always doing the right thing. Lucy learns a valuable lesson and applies it in a most unusual way, earning Ralph’s respect and gratitude. This is a delightful story for all ages.
7. Don't Laugh at Me by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin Interest level: All Ages
Description: If you have ever been made fun of or know someone who has been made fun of or bullied for looking different or acting different or for just not fitting in, this book is a must read. It is touching and packs a great deal of emotion, as well as provides excellent teaching and learning opportunities for children (and adults) of all ages. The story is also available in a song of the same name, and is also excellent.
ADDITIONAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS TO HELP DEVELOP CHILDREN’S SOCIAL SKILLS:
8. A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook. Interest level: K – 5th
Description: It seems that no one likes “Josh the Tattler” because he tattles way too much. He tattles on his classmates, his brother, and even his dog! One night he awakes to find his tongue yellow and covered in bright purple spots and feeling itchy and scratchy. Will a bad case of Tattle Tongue teach him a lesson? This book gives teachers and counselors a humorous and creative way to address the time-consuming “tattle battle” that can take so much time and energy away from instruction.
9. My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook. Interest level: Most any student or adult would enjoy this book.
Description: Louis has a mouth just like a volcano. Whenever he has something to say, it just erupts right out of him, almost always interrupting someone else. When others begin interrupting him, however, he learns how to respectfully wait for his turn to talk. There is wonderful humor coupled with very important lessons for children about respect and listening to what other people have to say.
10. One by Kathryn Otoshi. Interest level: All ages.
Description: This book is a winner of 15 awards with over 100,00 copies sold for good reason. Blue is a quiet color. Red is a hothead. Sadly, Red likes to pick on Blue. Other colors don't like the bullying, but what can they do? When no one takes a stand, things get quickly out of control. Until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up and count!
ALSO BY KATHRYN OTOSHI: Zero. Interest level: All ages
Description: Zero was a big round number. When she looked at herself, she just saw a hole...right in her center. Every day she watched the others line up to count. "1,2,3,4,5,6,7..." She wanted to count, too! But how could a number worth nothing become something? Zero felt happy inside...something exciting was about to happen!
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11. STAND TALL, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. Interest level: Elementary and middle school.
Description: Molly Lou Melon is very small and sounds like a big bullfrog when she talks. But her grandmother has always told her to walk tall and proud. But then Molly Lou has to move to a new school. On the first day, she is picked on by a really mean bully. But Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that.
12. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson. Interest level: Older elementary through adult.
Description: Chloe doesn't really know why she always turns away from the new girl in school, Maya. Even though Maya wants to be friends, Chloe doesn't. Instead Chloe and her friends make fun of Maya's worn out clothes. Then one day Maya never returns to school. Chloe is left with the haunting memory of what might have been if she had just shown a little kindness and friendship to Maya. There is a powerful message in this book for all of us.
13. Bingo and the Playground Bully by Brandon Mull. Interest level: Elementary
Description: Who has the best imaginary friend? Is it Gary, who protects the galaxy with Sparky the robot? Or Tiffany who helps save the day with Awesome Girl? Or Dustin, who can hide Mr. Bob in his pocket? During recess, Chad and Pingo are invited to participate in the contest to see which imaginary friend is the best, when, Grunt, barges into the contest, demanding to be included. No one expects what happens next...or how Pingo saves the day.
14. Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Interest level: Elementary
Description: Bully the bull doesn't have a kind word for any of his friends. In fact, it's a wonder that he has any friends at all! What will it take for a little bull to realize he's being a BIG bully?
15. Lion vs. Rabbit by Alex Latimer. Interest level: Elementary
Description: Lion is mean to everyone. When the other animals can't take his bullying anymore, they post an ad asking for help. One animal after another tries to stop Lion, but they don't succeed. Finally, a rabbit arrives. No one thinks that it will be brave enough or strong enough to stop Lion. But just maybe this rabbit is smart enough...
16. Meet Millie by Jan Manning. Interest level: Elementary
Description: Millie is sweet. Millie is quiet. Millie does everything she is told. But one day...Millie gets mad! And Millie turns fierce. This powerful story with bright, bold art will connect with anyone who has ever felt the urge to stomp around in cowboy boots and howl at the moon.
17. Bully by Patricia Polacco. Interest level: Fourth grade through adult.
Description: This is a powerful story about cyber bullying...bullying through social media on phones and computers...and how two friends came together to literally save each other from reputation destruction and worse. It also shows youth how they can stand up to this type of secret bullying and help put a stop to it. Paticia Polacco is the author of the best selling book, Thank You, Mr. Falker.
18. Big Mean Mike by Michelle Knudsen. Interest level: Elementary and middle school.
Description: Big Mean Mike was the biggest and toughest dog in the neighborhood. He had a big, mean bark and big, sharp teeth. And he had a big, mean car he drove all around the neighborhood. He was big and mean and tough until he met his match in the form of four cute, furry little bunnies. This fun story shows us that we don't need to worry about what other people think...even if you are big and tough and your friends are tiny and adorable.
19. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. Interest level: Elementary through adult.
Description: Though written in 1944, this Newberry Honor Award book still touches the hearts of children and adults around the world today. Wanda wears the same faded blue dress every day to school, yet she says that she has one hundred beautiful dresses at home, all neatly lined up in her closet. The other girls at school tease Wanda unmercifully about the "imaginary" hundred dresses until one day, Wanda never returns to school again. This heartfelt story offers readers of all ages a timeless message of compassion and understanding.
