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
Showing posts with label bully. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bully. Show all posts
My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig
Illustrated by Abigail Marble. 32 p., Free Spirit, 2004. Sometimes bullying isn't obvious, but at those times, it can still be extremely painful. Monica calls Katie her secret bully. The girls, who look as if they're in late elementary school, have been friends since kindergarten, and have many similar interests. But now, Katie is sometimes mean to Monica for no reason that Monica can detect. She talks to other girls and looks at Monica. She tells Monica that if she plays with Sarah, she won't play with her. She won't let Monica play with her and Sarah. When Monica asks Katie whether she's angry with her, Katie just accuses her of being "too sensitive." Monica worries that something is wrong with her, has trouble concentrating on her homework, and gets frequent stomach aches. Her mom keeps asking what's troubling her, and Monica finally tells her. Mom really listens, and talks with her about ways to assert herself. When Monica looks Katie in the eye and says, "'does it make you feel good to make me feel bad? Because friends don't do that to friends,'" she realizes that Katie can't hurt her any more. Although she's sad to lose her friendship with Katie, Monica wisely reflects that "real friends don't treat each other the way she treated me." She makes new friends and feels better about herself. An afterword for adults explains issues related to relational bullying and suggests ways to help. There are also a list of ways to cope, discussion questions, and a resource list. With its expressive, softly-colored, watercolor illustrations, this story helps empower children who experience emotional bullying. Ages 5-11
Finklehopper Frog Cheers by Irene Livingston
Illustrated by Brian Lies. 24 p., Tricycle, 2005. Friends not only have fun together, but also support each other in difficult moments. In this rhyming story, Finklehopper Frog worries about going to a picnic because others might laugh at him or try to grab his hat. But he goes anyway, even though he's scared, because his friend, Ruby Rabbit, will be there. And when bullies tease him about his hat, Ruby answers them with cheerfulness, and they slink off. Then it's time for a race, and it's Ruby's turn to worry - she faces tough competition from Sue Kangaroo. But with Finklehopper's encouragement, she tries her best. When she finishes second to Sue, she bursts into tears, yelling "no fair!" Finklehopper tells her he's proud of her because she did her best, and raced even though she was worried. Ruby congratulates Sue on her win, and has learned that when everyone does their best, then everyone wins. The story ends with happy high-fives. The energy of the color illustrations matches the liveliness of the rhyming text. Finklehopper and Sue are lovely examples of supportive friendship, and children will learn important things about coping with bullies and competition too. Ages 4-6
Shrinking Violet by Cari Best
Illustrated by Giselle Potter. 40 p., Farrar/Melanie Kroupa, 2001. Sometimes when you can't bear to be seen, there are ways to use your strengths to feel good about yourself. Violet is smart, talented, and creative. Because she's highly sensitive, she's not only painfully anxious about being seen, but also a keen observer and a brilliant imitator. But one of her classmates, Irwin, is particularly mean to her, and this embarrasses her, often making her wish that she could disappear. Violet's teacher comes up with a wise plan to give her a part in the school play about the solar system: she assigns her the part of Lady Space, who speaks from offstage. Violet feels capable of performing this role and is relieved that she doesn't feel like shrinking away. At the performance, Irwin (playing Mars), seems to forget what to do, and moves around the stage aimlessly. When it's time for him to speak, he's nowhere to be found. Spontaneously, Violet not only imitates his voice, but also ad-libs hilarious lines for him. Now it's Irwin's turn to be embarrassed. As Lady Space, Violet becomes the star of the show. And when Irwin resumes insulting her afterward, she finds that she doesn't feel embarrassed - instead, she feels self-confident. She knows that she's fine just the way she is. This engaging, intelligent, whimsically-illustrated story shows children that even when they feel chronically vulnerable to embarrassment, they can acknowledge, develop, and use their strengths, and ultimately, feel confident instead of ashamed. Ages 5-8