10 Picture Books About Bullying
When I was nine, I had a boy in my class who made me the punchline of all his jokes. He took my belongings and hid them, told people that I picked my nose and ate it, and made faces behind my back. As an adult, I see how juvenile it was, and I pity him and other who think like him.
As a child though, every day of my life was miserable. Most days, I didn’t even want to go to school. I recall vividly one particular day that I came home and asked my mother what was wrong with me because that boy made me genuinely feel that I was not like everyone else.
I wish I could say that bullying doesn’t happen anymore, but it does.
In fact, I feel like it’s even worse these days. The addition of the internet and social media makes it even easier for kids to anonymously pester and poke at each other. And the more the child reacts, the more other kids tease. It’s a vicious cycle.
Most schools have an anti-bullying policy, but it still happens. This makes it even more important to talk about bullying issues at home.
Here are 10 Children’s Picture Books About Bullying
These selections are great for the classroom or reading at home to educate children on the effects of bullying and how to stand up and make a change. These picture books about bullies tackle subjects like standing up to a bully, neutralizing them with kindness, and being a friend to someone who is being bullied.
One By Kathryn Otoshi
This month’s Featured Author, Kathryn Otoshi is the creator of one of my favorite books ever about bullying. “One” uses numbers and colors to illustrate the importance of sticking up for others when we see teasing or mocking. This book is beautifully simple and carries the message that it just takes one person standing up and speaking out to make a change.
For No Reason By Kathleen Gauer
You can read my full review of this book HERE. I love the message in this book. It’s about controlling the narrative of teasing by not letting it effect you, and being kind even when others are not. It’s a well told story and would be great for discussing in a classroom.
Bully Beans By Julia Cook
This one offers an interesting concept for parents and teachers to utilize with younger kids. The mother in the book uses regular jelly beans to empower her daughter to stick up to the bully in her class. The book also makes the point that kids who bully are often bullied themselves and projecting that pain on others.
Recess Queen By Alexis O’Neill
Mean Jean is the Recess Queen. She doesn’t let anyone have any fun, but when a new kid comes and refuses to be afraid of her, things will never be the same. I thought this book was very fun, and my four year old liked it. It had a fun rhythm and some silly word play that kept his attention. It was quite memorable, with a message about the power we give bullies, simply by being afraid to stand up to them.
Marlene, Marlene, the Queen of Mean By Jane Lynch
As a fan of Jane Lynch, I was excited to find this book. It has a fun and repetitive rhyme and adorable illustrations. It would be a good read aloud. The message in this one is that bullies aren’t always as tough as they look and they can change, but it takes time.
Dragon Was Terrible By Kelly Dipucchio
This is a favorite book in our house. It’s funny, super cute, and approaches the bullying subject from a unique angle without being too on the nose. Dragon is terrible and the king and townspeople have had enough! But everyone who tries to stand up to dragon fails and dragon just gets worse. Until one boy has a different approach. The message is that those who act out are often lonely and afraid, that they don’t want to be bad. They simply need a little attention and a friend.
The Pout Pout Fish and The Bully Bully Shark
Fans of the Pout Pout Fish will love this new story that tackles bullying. Mr Fish and his friends encounter a bully shark. If you enjoy the other books in this series, this one is a great way to broach the subject of bullying. Personally, this was not my favorite of the Pout Pout Fish books, but it is still a good one for talking about bullies with kids.
Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
If you enjoy the Llama Llama books, your kids will like this story about Llama encountering a Bully. This one is great for younger kids since Llama is a great preschool role model. Friendship and kindness are emphasized, making it a good one for the classroom.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
I love the message in this one. People pick on Molly Lou Melon, but she turns toward people instead of away. She is still herself no matter what happens. She stands tall. This is a great book for encouraging children who are picked on for being different.
My Friend Maggie
While this book has a message about friendship, it also has one about bullying. People pick on Maggie and her friend doesn’t stick up for her. But when push comes to shove, Maggie sticks up for her friend. She’s a friend, even to those who don’t stick up for her. This book can be used to discuss standing up for your friends when they are being bullied. It’s a good conversation starter about how being silent can contribute to bullying.
What do you think?
What are your favorite picture books about bullying?
Is there anything we missed?
