A curated selection of books to help understand and deal with bullying at school. Page updated regularly.
Just a thought: instead of ordering one of these books on the giant internet platforms, why don’t you buy or order them in an independent bookstore near you? They are run by passionate people who have a life and a family. They need support, especially in these difficult times. Think about them 😉
You, Me and Empathy: Teaching children about empathy, feelings, kindness, compassion, tolerance and recognising bullying behaviours – Jayneen Sanders
One of the most important social skills a child can learn is empathy. Being able to understand how another person is feeling and recognizing their needs helps people to connect to one another across race, culture and the diversity that is ever-present and so important to our world. This charming story uses verse, beautiful illustrations and a little person called Quinn to model the meaning of empathy. Throughout the story, Quinn shows an abundance of understanding, compassion and kindness towards others. Showing empathy towards others is a learnt trait, and one to nurture and cherish with the children in our care.
Also included are Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators, and suggested activities to promote empathy and kindness.
© Jayneen Sanders / Amazon
The Hundred Dresses – Eleanor Estes
Eleanor Estes’s The Hundred Dresses won a Newbery Honor in 1945 and has never been out of print since. At the heart of the story is Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school who is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn’t and bullies her mercilessly. The class feels terrible when Wanda is pulled out of the school, but by that time it’s too late for apologies. Maddie, one of Wanda’s classmates, ultimately decides that she is “never going to stand by and say nothing again.” This powerful, timeless story has been reissued with a new letter from the author’s daughter Helena Estes, and with the Caldecott artist Louis Slobodkin’s original artwork in beautifully restored color.
© Eleanor Estes / Amazon
I am enough – Grace Byers
This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo.
We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.
© Grace Byers / Amazon
Teach your dragon about diversity – Steve Herman
Having a pet dragon is very fun.
He can sit, roll over, and play…
He can candle a birthday cake, lit a campfire, or so many other cool things…
But what if your dragon is sad because he is DIFFERENT from his friends?
What if he feel bad that his skin is red, and is not like any of his friends?
What if he’s worried that none of his friend has wings, tails and scales like him?
What if he’s so nervous because he’s different? What should you do?
You teach him about DIVERSITY!
You teach him that we’re individuals and should celebrate our differences
You teach him the difference in appearance, gender, skin color, and beliefs do not separate us
You teach him that our differences make this world such a beautiful place
You teach him that we’re all the same inside, and should embrace diversity
And so much more
© Steve Herman / Amazon
The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to HighSchool–How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle – Barbara Coloroso
It’s the deadliest combination going: bullies who terrorize, bullied kids who are afraid to tell, bystanders who watch, and adults who see the incidents as a normal part of childhood. All it takes to understand that this is a recipe for tragedy is a glance at headlines across the country. In this updated edition of The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander, which includes a new section on cyberbullying, one of the world’s most trusted parenting educators gives parents, caregivers, educators—and most of all, kids—the tools to break the cycle of violence.
Drawing on her decades of work with troubled youth, and her wide experience in the areas of conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice, Barbara Coloroso explains:
– The three kinds of bullying, and the differences between boy and girl bullies
– Four abilities that protect your child from succumbing to bullying
– Seven steps to take if your child is a bully
– How to help the bullied child heal and how to effectively discipline the bully
– How to evaluate a school’s antibullying policy
And much more
This compassionate and practical guide has become the groundbreaking reference on the subject of bullying.
© Barbara Coloroso / Amazon
Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear – Carrie Goldman
A highly-researched guide on responding to bullying, social conflict, and peer victimization. Weaving in beautiful prose and real stories with actionable advice and expert resources, Bullied is a must-read for parents, teachers and kids.
© Carrie Goldman / Amazon
8 Keys to End Bullying: Strategies for Parents & Schools (8 Keys to Mental Health) – Signe Whitson
Tackling an all-too-prevalent problem among kids with 8 smart, practical strategies.
Groundbreaking books have peered into the psychology of bullying and the cultural climate that―seemingly now more than ever―gives rise to such cruelty and aggression. But few have been able to synthesize what we know into 8 simple, targeted “keys” that equip educators, professionals, and parents with practical strategies to tackle the issue head-on. This book answers that call.
Social media bullying―and the recent tragedies stemming from it―has given the widespread problem a new dimension. While no magic cure-all exists, adults can learn and implement all sorts of quick and easy techniques that can make a huge difference in the lives of kids. In 8 core strategies, this book lays them out, from establishing meaningful connections with kids to creating a positive school climate, addressing cyberbullying, building social emotional competence, reaching out to bullies, empowering bystanders, and much more.
© Signe Whitson / Amazon
Little girls can be mean – Michelle Anthony and Reyna Lindert
Worried about mean girls? Help your daughter respond and react to bullying where it starts—in elementary school
As experts in developmental psychology and each a mother of three, Dr. Michelle Anthony and Dr. Reyna Lindert began noticing an alarming pattern of social struggle among girls as young as five, including their own daughters. In today’s world, it is likely that your daughter has been faced with bullying and friendship issues, too—and perhaps you’re at a loss for how to guide her through these situations effectively. Little Girls Can Be Mean is the first book to tackle the unique social struggles of elementary-aged girls, giving you the tools you need to help your daughter become stronger, happier, and better able to enjoy her friendships at school and beyond.
Dr. Anthony and Dr. Lindert offer an easy-to-follow, 4-step plan to help you become a problem-solving partner with your child, including tips and insights that girls can use on their own to confront social difficulties in an empowered way. Whether your daughter is just starting grade school or is already on her way to junior high, you’ll learn how to:
OBSERVE the social situation with new eyes
CONNECT with your child in a new way
GUIDE your child with simple, compassionate strategies
SUPPORT your daughter to act more independently to face the social issue
By focusing squarely on the issues and needs of girls in the years before adolescence, Little Girls Can Be Mean is the essential, go-to guide for any parent or educator of girls in grades K-6.
© Michelle Anthony – Reyna Lindert / Amazon