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 teasing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teasing. Show all posts
Nosy Rosie by Holly Keller
32 p., Greenwillow, 2006. Obnoxious nicknames can be hurtful, even when they're not meant maliciously. Rose can find anything anyone has lost because of her keen sense of smell. One day, someone calls her "Nosy Rosie", and the name sticks. Rose tells people not to call her that, but they don't listen. She refuses to help them find things, saying intelligently, "'I don't hear you because that's not my name.'" The other kids reject her. She goes off for a walk in the woods, enjoying the smells she finds there. Suddenly, she smells baby powder and soap - the smells of baby Harry. She finds Harry trapped under a thorny bush, and extricates him. Meanwhile, Mama discovers that Harry is missing, and no one else can find him. When Rose returns with Harry a few minutes later, Mama is very happy, and the other kids tell her she's awesome, amazing, and incredible. Rose replies, "'Thank you ... but I'm just Rose, and that's the only name I want.'" From then on, everyone always calls her Rose. Illustrated with endearing watercolors, this story offers Rose as a model of trusting your own talents even when people tease you about them, and asserting yourself appropriately. Ages 4-7