Okay, so maybe I’m being a bit optimistic with my title. Unfortunately, it will take more than a book (or 29) to end bullying. In an aggression and violence rich society that uses material wealth and beauty as a sign of success and happiness, we need to reorient ourselves to the value of each individual regardless of any factors or variables.
Am I still being optimistic? Definitely. However, I believe that we can all work to create environments that are supportive and inclusive for all students. Books are an excellent resource to spread our message!
By educating ourselves, parents, and students we can whittle away stereo-types and develop compassion and empathy for other people. It is not an easy task, but together we can do it.
Parent outreach is an excellent way to spread the anti-bullying message. Parents spend the most time with their children and have the most influence over their children. Even when children are teenagers, parents are still the second biggest influence right after peers.
Take advantage of parental influence by creating a “Parent Resource Center” in your library or media center. If you are thinking, “I don’t work at a school. I can’t do that!” Think again. Do you have a waiting room or maybe a small space on your office bookshelf? You don’t need a fancy place to provide resources to parents. You just need to get them the information.
Books for Parents and Educators:
Highlight: Perspective of sub-groups that are often the targets of bullying. If you are not familiar with issues surrounding gender identity and how other stereotypes play a part in bullying, you should definitely read this book.
by Michelle Anthony & Renya Lindert
Highlight: Provides insight into how self-esteem and coping skills can help both victims and bullies.
by Rosalind Wiseman
Highlights: Comprehensive look at the social pressures that can influence bullying and straightforward advice parents can give their children.
The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander
by Barbara Coloroso
Highlight: Bystanders possess the power to end bullying.This book focuses on how to involve bystanders to break the bullying cycle.
by Sally Ogden
Highlight: Practical advice for parents and adults to help kids handling bullying.
Bullying Prevention Books for Educators, Social Workers, Counselors:
Understanding Girl Bullying and What to Do About It
by Julaine Field, Jered Kolbert, Laura Crothers, & Tammy Hughes
by Debra Wosnik
Highlights: Great resource for classroom lessons and small groups. Helps build empathy and inclusion.
by Melissa Richards
Highlights: Great resource for relational bullying and “friendship triangles”. This is another great one for classroom lessons or small groups!
Anyone who has seen my post about 10 Great Books to Help an Angry Child knows that I have had a lot of success with child-led inquiry. Basically, this is when a child is able to discover the answers to their problems. The books featured below do just that.
I was surprised how many of my students checked out the following books out on my lending library shelf in my self-contained emotional impairment classroom. A few of my students said they were only looking at them because they wanted to see “how stupid they were”. Regardless of their claims, these students read the books from cover to cover. They also did a great job when answering the prompts from when they made their own bullying dice. Guess I need to find more “stupid books”!
by American Girl
A Smart Girl’s Guide to Friendship Troubles
by American Girl
A Smart Kid’s Guide to Online Bullying
by David Jakubiak
Bullying in Schools: What you need to know.
by Paul Langan
by Julie Fielder
How to Handle Bullies, Teasers, and Other Meanies
by Kate Cohen-Posey
Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain
by Trevor Romain
by Gershen Kaufman, Lev Raphael, & Pamela Espeland
Picture Books:
by Becky-Henton
I look forward to this one every year! Check out some of my suggestions for using this in the classroom here.
By Trudy Ludwig
(Great for friendship triangles!)
By Trudy Ludwig
By Trudy Ludwig
by Trudy Ludwig
by Janice Levy
by Karen Burnett
The Berenstain Bears: No Girls Allowed
by Stan & Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears and the Bully
by Stan & Jan Berenstain
by Teresa Bateman
by Bob Sornson & Maria Dismondy
by Derek Munson
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
by Carol McCloud
I hope you find these books as helpful as I have! I am always on the lookout for a good book to use. Any suggestions? What book(s) do you use?
Happy Reading!
~Heather
Check out my free bullying poster and coloring pages at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Don’t forget to check out my Bullying Prevention Activity Bundle if you’re looking for more fun anti-bullying activities. You can purchase it at my Teachers Pay Teachers store for $3.50.
