Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig

Illustrated by Adam Gustavson. 32 p., Tricycle, 2006. Bullying can take the form of cruelty that the person describes as a joke. Such is the case for D .J., when Vince decides that the loser of "rock, paper, scissors" gets D. J. on his team. When D. J. leaves, Vince calls after him, "Can't you take a joke?" This isn't the first time that Vince has been mean to D. J.. D. J.'s Dad and brother teach him a game that helps him learn how to respond to being picked on, without being mean. The next day, D. J. uses what he's learned to support his friend, Brian, when Vince picks on Brian. In spite of D. J.'s positive responses, Vince keeps behaving obnoxiously, so D. J. and Dad meet with D. J.'s teacher. She encourages D. J. to tell her if Vince picks on him, and explains the difference between this and tattling. Eventually, Vince stops annoying him. Meanwhile, D. J. spends his time with friends who know how to joke. This book includes a foreword for adults that describes ways to support children, along with resources for children and adults, an afterword about the nature and forms of teasing, discussion questions for children,and a list of do's and don'ts related to teasing. Illustrated with expressive acrylic paintings, this story supports children who have been bullied and helps them respond appropriately. Ages 7-11

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