• Olweus Read Aloud Books

    Below are some suggested books that you can use to discuss bullying with your child.  While discussing bullying, we have been using the terms:  instigator, victim, and bystander. 

     

    Fiction Picture Books

    Arnie and the New Kid  By: Nancy Carlson

    Philip uses a wheelchair, making him the target of Arnie’s bullying—until Arnie falls,breaks a leg, and wishes he had a wheelchair, too. 

     
    Berenstain Bears and the Bully  By:  Stan and Jan Berenstain
    Sister tries to avoid Tuffy, who beat her up, but Brother teaches her some self-defense moves - just in case. 
     
     
    Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing  By:  Stan and Jan Berenstain 
    When does good-natured teasing cross the line into mean-spirited taunting?
     

    Bully  By: Judith Caseley

    Ever since Jack’s baby sister was born, he has been bullying his former friend Mickey. What can Mickey do to become friends again?

     

    Bully Blockers Club  By: Teresa Bateman

    When Grant bullies Lottie, she organizes a club whose members stick up for one another.

     

    Bullies Never Win  By: Margery Cuyler

    Jessica's a worrier, but her biggest worry is bully Brenda. When she stands up to Brenda, Brenda backs down.


    Clara and the Bossy By: Ruth Ohi

    Clara learns to stand her ground against Madison, who is bossing her around.

     

    Crow Boy  By: Taro Yashima

    Chibi’s classmates dislike him because he is different, but a kind teacher helps him gain acceptance. Told from the perspective of those who are mean to him.

     

    Chrysanthemum by: Kevin Henkes

    Chrysanthemum and her parents believe her name is perfect, until her classmates make fun of her for it. With the help of a popular music teacher, Chrysanthemum and her friends discover how special her name really is. After reading this book, students can make a flower of their own. Their name can go in the center and each petal can contain traits they like about themselves or things they are good at. Students could also make an acrostic poem of their name to be displayed in the classroom. It lends itself to discussions about bullies, feelings, decision making and self-worth.


    Have You Filled a Bucket Today?  by: Carol McCloud

    “A bucketfiling school is a great place to learn. A bucketfiling family is a great place to grow up.  A bucketfilling community is a great place to live. Bucket filling is easy. It doesn't cost any money. It doesn't take much time.  It doesn't matter how young or old you are. Bucket filing makes everyone feel good.” This book is a “guide to daily happiness for kids.” It teaches kids how to be bucket fillers instead of bucket dippers. Consider implementing a positive bucket filling reward system in your classroom.  The concept of bucket filling is an effective metaphor for encouraging kind and considerate behavior as well as teaching the benefits of positive relationships to children.

    - Fill a Bucket (Younger children may also enjoy)

    - Upper elementary aged children may enjoy Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life also by Carol McCloud. Not only does she talk about new levels of bucket filling and bucket dipping, but this book goes into depth about how to put a lid on your bucket. There are examples of how important situations in life need a lid to protect our buckets from being empty.

     

    Hooway for Wodney Wat by: Helen Lester
    Wodney is teased and bullied because he can’t pronounce his r’s.  He finds a clever way to use his impediment to thwart the obnoxious Camilla, making him a hero.

     

    Loudmouth George and the Sixth-Grade Bully By: Nancy Carlson

    Harriet and George devise a plan to deal with an older bully.

     

    Just Kidding  By: Trudy Ludwig

    D.J.’s friend Vince says he’s just kidding when he hurts D.J.’s feelings, but D.J.doesn’t think it’s funny.

     

    King of the Playground  By: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

    Sammy won’t let Kevin on the playground equipment, but Kevin’s father helps him work out ways to respond to Sammy.

     

    Martha Walks the Dog  By: Susan Meddaugh

    Talking dog Martha meets Bad Dog Bob, who has an equally bullying owner.

     

    The Meanest Thing to Say By:  Bill Cosby
    A new boy in Little Bill's class tries to get the kids to play a game where they say mean things.  

     

    Mr. Lincoln’s Way By: Patricia Polacco

    Mr. Lincoln uses Mean Gene’s love for birds to help him overcome his prejudice and bullying.

     

    My Secret Bully By: Trudy Ludwig

    Katie bullies Monica until no one is willing to play with her at recess. Monica is bewildered by her ‘friend’s’ behavior and worries that something is wrong with her. Monica tells her mom, who suggests role playing to help deal with the situation. This book offers all sorts of extra anti-bullying materials including a forward by Susan Wellman, founder of The Ophelia Project, notes for parents and teachers, suggestions for what to do if you are a target, discussion points, additional resources, websites, recommended readings and a list of ten ways to be a better friend.

     

    Nobody Knew What to Do By: Becky Ray McCain

    A boy and his classmates help a student who is being harassed until adults intervene and help.

     

    Oliver Button is a Sissy  By: Tomie dePaola

    Oliver Button is a boy who likes to do things that not all boys like to do. The other boys at school often tease him and call him names. Oliver confronts stereotypes and gains confidence while teaching others to be more accepting. This book lends itself to discussing stereotypes and bullies. Students can discuss name-calling. Have them right names they have been called or that they have called people on slips of paper. Crumple them up and throw them away, helping students to understand that those names are trash and we aren’t using them anymore. Students can also share things that they feel are “boy” things and “girl” things and talk about why anyone can do anything they want.

     

    One  By:Kathryn Otoshi

    It just takes one to stand up to a bully.


    The Recess Queen By: Alexis O'Neill

    Mean Jean is the playground bully until a new girl befriends her.


    Simon’s Hook  By: Karen Gedig Burnett

    Grandma Rose helps Simon learn not to “bite” when someone is teasing him or putting him down by giving him various options.

     

    Simon with Two Left Feet By:  Angela K. Narth

    Young Simon is the brunt of relentless teasing. He wants desperately to be accepted as part of his flock, but he is clumsy. This book offers many opportunities for discussion including the impact of teasing and bullying, the importance of finding a way to contribute to your community and how labeling can affect one’s self esteem (and assumptions).

     

    Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon By: Patty Lovell

    When Molly Lou goes to a new school,the class bully Ronald teases her, but Molly remembers what her grandmother has told her and feels good about herself.

     

    Sweet Briar Goes to Camp By: Karma Wilson

    Skunk Sweet Briar is having fun at camp, but doesn’t like the way other campers are taunting porcupine Petal—and eventually stands up for Petal.

     

    The Tale of Sir Dragon:  Dealing with Bullies for Kids By: Jean E. Pendziwol

    When her friend Dragon is bullied, a girl defends him, eventually going to adults to get help.

     

    Thank You, Mr. Falker By: Patricia Polacco

    Inspired by her own life, Polacco tells the story of young Trisha who is dyslexic. Trisha endures the teasing of classmates and with the encouragement and efforts of her new fifth grade teacher, Mr. Falker, she overcomes her obstacles and learns to read. Students can discuss obstacles they have overcome, bullies, and the role of teachers. It is also a good opportunity to discuss misconceptions about students with learning differences and their feelings.

     

    Fiction Chapter Books

    Escaping the Giant Wave  by: Peg Kehret
    When an earthquake causes a tsunami off the Oregon Coast, 13 year old Kyle tries to save himself, his sister and a boy who has bullied him for many years.  Victims of bullies will be cheering for Kyle.


    How to Be Cool in the Third Grade by: Betsy Duffey
    Robbie decides that “being cool” is the only way to survive bullying.

     

    Jake Drake, Bully Buster by: Andrew Clements
    What makes a kid a bully magnet?  That’s been Jake’s experience since preschool.  In 4th grade he has to do a Thanksgiving project with his tormentor.  This leads to mutual respect. Bullies have weaknesses.

     

    The New Girl by: Meg Cabot
    Allie is adjusting to a new home, school and friends.  Unfortunately, one girl threatens to beat her up.

    Pinky and Rex and the Bully by: James Howe
    Pinky is worried that he is a “sissy” and tries to change, but a wise neighbor helps him to be happy with himself and to stand up to the bully.

     

    Non-Fiction Books

    Talking About Bullying  By: Jillian Powell
    Color photographs of different children illustrate an easy text that talks about how it feels to be bullied, why people bully others, and what people can do about it.

     

    Bully  By: Janine Amos
    Stories of young children who pick on someone else include questions for discussion.

     

    Bullying  By: Elizabeth Raum
    An easy text talks about what bullying is and what children can do to prevent it. Illustrated with color photographs of children of all ages. One section asks “Am I a Bully?” and discusses what a child who is a bully might do.


    Bullying  By: Pete Sanders
    Two stories about bullying are told in cartoon format, interspersed with information about why people bully, and what steps their victims can take.

     

    Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain  By: Trevor Romain
    A straight-forward but humorous look at bullies, with suggestions on how children can deal with them and how parents can help their children.


    Dealing with Bullying  By:Marianne Johnston
    What makes a bully a bully? And how can kids deal with it?

     

    How to Deal with Bullies  By: Jonathan Kravetz
    A look at three different kinds of bullies, including relationship bullies, and how to deal with them, as well as what you might do if you are a bully yourself.

     

    How To Deal With Teasing  By: Julie Fiedler
    Discusses the difference between playful and hurtful teasing, and what can be done about hurtful teasing.