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THE RECESS QUEEN

by Alexis O'Neill

Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith

ISBN: 978-0439206372

This book addresses bullying in a really engaging, entertaining way that is still relatable to my students. Mean Jean is the Recess Queen. She bullies everyone on the playground. They are all scared of her until a new student, Katie Sue comes to town. This new student doesn’t know to be scared of Jean so when recess comes, she plays. Jean tries to bully her but Katie Sue resists. Instead she invites Jean to play. And guess what? No one has EVER done that before.

This book teaches kids two really important lessons: one, when you bully people to get your way, you isolate yourself; and two, a lot of times when someone is being mean, they really just want to be seen and invited.

STICK AND STONE

by Beth Ferry

Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

ISBN: 978-1328714329

This book is a perfect 10 in my opinion. It is simple, has beautiful illustrations, and gets an important message across in very few words. Stick and Stone are alone and lonely. Then they meet each other. One day, Pinecone makes fun of Stone. He won't leave Stone alone. "Vanish," says Stick. That one little word is all it takes. The bully goes away. Now Stick and Stone are together and happy. They are the very best of friends. We do see Pinecone again later and, unsurprisingly, he is very unhappy.

Pinecone was a bully, but he is not a main character of this story. This is such a powerful message. Pinecone was mean, sure. He had a

moment where he felt like he had won. He laughed for a minute, but he did not get the joy of friendship. Being unkind to another person may feel good in the moment. It may make you feel powerful or cool, but being kind gets you something that is much, much better: friendship.

I WALK WITH VANESSA

by Kerascoët

ISBN: 978-1524769550

This book is really special because it has no words. It is only illustrations. That means the readers get to fill in the blanks. We can infer how what the problem is, why someone is doing or not doing something and how someone is feeling. This can open up so much dialogue between students and caregivers to talk about bullying.

So much of bullying prevention is encouraging kids to think about each other. This books gives them the chance to think about Vanessa and empathize with her. You may hear students say "She's sad" or "She's alone." You may hear them say "he's mean" about the bully. These are opportunities to dive deeper into the roots of those emotions. "Why is she sad?" "What makes him mean?" We latch onto ideas and concepts better if we are the ones talking. Giving students the chance to explain why the characters feel the way they do allows them to take ownership of the conversation.

SPAGHETTI IN A HOT DOG BUN

by Maria Dismondy

Illustrated by Kim Shaw

ISBN: 978-0984855803

Lucy is unique and that really bothers Ralph. He makes fun of every strange thing about her, including the fact that she likes to eat

spaghetti in a hot dog bun at lunchtime. Lucy has the courage to be herself anyway, and when Ralph needs help, she's there for him.

I like books about bullying like this, to talk about how sometimes other people can bully because they are jealous that you are being yourself. Other people try to hide unique things about themselves sometimes, but that doesn't mean you should. It also doesn't mean that you should feel bad when they say hurtful things. You definitely shouldn't change who you are.

CHRYSANTHEMUM

by Kevin Henkes

ISBN: 978-0062983374

Chrysanthemum has a name that is just as special as she is. Her parents tell her so all of the time. On the first day of school, other kids say that it's too long and laugh that she is named after a flower. Chrysanthemum's parents try to make her feel better each day when she gets home, but it is not until her music teacher compliments her in front of the other students that Chrysanthemum gains back her confidence.

I read this book on the first day of school every year. I want to impress upon my students from the very first day, that unkind words are really hurtful and absolutely not tolerated. I also want to teach my students that all it takes is one person standing up for another to completely change a situation. If they see or hear something unkind, they can stop it by stepping in.

EACH KINDNESS

by Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

ISBN: 978-0399246524