My Journey

Curation of Children's Literature – Anti-bullying Books to encourage empathy, compassion, acceptance, kindness, self-awareness, and courage

Less than 2 weeks away is Pink Shirt Day on February 22nd, which is a day to stand up collectively against bullying by wearing pink after a male student was bullied in Nova Scotia for wearing pink. Therefore, I wanted to create a curation of children’s literature books that will help focus on discussion and solutions around the topic of bullying so that no one (child or adult) will feel hopelessness, isolation, or despair.

No one should be harassed or ostracized verbally, physically, emotionally, or through social media regardless of their gender, race, religion, social economics, or appearance. Everyone deserves to live in peace and with dignity. If we start the discussion with children at an early age about respect, inclusiveness, and acceptance then perhaps it will resonate and help themselves and others against bullying or becoming bullies. These ideals will help them grow up to be empathetic and compassionate adults that will have the strength to stand up for what is right and help those that are wronged or in need.

The choice of books are intended to create a dialogue in the classroom so that students become aware of what bullying entails; identify the intent of a bully; and recognize the effects of bullying. Also, the choice of literature will help the students to develop strategies, skills, and solutions to deal with bullying in a safe/healthy manner; feel empowerment to stand up for themselves and others; be proud of who they are; increase their self esteem and self worth; express their feelings about bullying; and empathize with those being bullied as well as the bully. Indeed, the students will recognize that a little kindness goes a long way; friendship is better than fighting; and words and labels can hurt.

Since I taught elementary school and my youngest son is in Grade 4, the books that I have chosen will be focused at that grade level. I chose a variety of books such that students can read independently, the students can read in pairs, or the teacher can read aloud. I also tried to choose a variety of books with varying reading levels, characters, settings, genders, themes, ages, ethnic backgrounds, writing styles, illustrations, and scenario/situation. By trying to have a diversity of books, students can perhaps find some that relate to them. This connection with the books will provide a deeper conversation and understanding. Also, the diverse literature will help to build knowledge, critical thinking, and literacy skills.

1. 1. Choi, Yangsook. The Name Jar. Dragonfly Books, 2003

This book is about a new student, Unhei, from Korea who wanted to change her name because other children on the bus had difficulty pronouncing her name and laughed about it. But when she explained the meaning of her name at school, she was no longer teased.

This book touches on the fact that it is okay to be oneself, everyone’s name is special, and one should be proud of his/her ethnicity and heritage. It encourages a good discussion about how making fun of someone’s name can affect his/her self-esteem.

2. Dismondy, Maria. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are. Cardinal Rule Press, 2008

This is a book about a girl with big beautiful head of curls who loved to enjoy her food in unconventional ways, which caused her to be mocked at school. But in the end, she saved the bully off the playground and they become friends.

This book talks about acceptance and embracing uniqueness. It is good to like who you are and not have to change your appearance or eating habits so that you can be like everyone else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cXWrUJlOK8 - Author is reading the book.

http://mariadismondy.com - Maria Dismondy's website with a list of her other books against bullying.

3. Dr. Seuss. TheSneetches and Other Stories. Random House Books for Young Readers, 1961

This book is about these imaginary Sneetches who separated themselves as the haves and have not’s based upon the stars on their stomachs. Instead of changing themselves constantly to be different from each other, they realized in the end that it was better to be together than divided.

This book touches on segregation and discrimination based upon appearance. It highlights how much power a group can have over another if they think they are more superior so there is a need for equality and acceptance in order for peace.

They’re also a short cartoon video on this book that might appeal to more visual and audio learners.

4. Estes, Eleanor. The Hundred Dresses. Philomel Books, 2012

Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl with no friends, was from a poor neighbourhood. She got taunted and shamed because Wanda claimed that she had a hundred dresses at her house even though she wore the same blue dress everyday to school. In the end, her tormentors realized their mistakes and Wanda’s talent but it was too late. Wanda and her family had moved away from small town to a larger city where there were more immigrants.

Even though this chapter book is a Newbery Honor book in 1945, it still is a great classroom discussion about the themes of bullying, racism, poverty, and exclusion that are still prevalent today.

5. Hall, Michael. Red: A Crayon’s Story, 2015

This book is about a blue crayon that had a red label around him. When he couldn’t colour in red, everyone thought something was wrong with him since he didn’t match his label. But when he started to make beautiful blue water and skies then he got accepted.

This book discusses about not letting labels define you or affect your self worth. It also talks about not rushing to judgment just because of a preconceived notion of a label. What is on the inside is more important than what is on the outside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hh7-YpYbw8 - Author is reading the book.

6. Henkes, Kevin. Chrysanthemum. Greenwillow Books, 2008

Chrysanthemum, a mouse, is teased at school because her name is considered too long. Even though initially she was confident and happy, the bullying made her feel sad and have a dislike for her name. But with the help of a teacher that sees the beauty in her name, Chrysanthemum feels proud about her unique and original name again.

This book is an American Library Association notable book and is another good book that talks about respecting everyone’s name and being proud of the name that one is given. It is also good for discussion about how demeaning someone’s name can cause someone a lot of distress.

7. Ludwig, Trudy. The Invisible Boy. Knopf Books, 2013

The illustrations are very visual and poignant as the invisible boy, Brian, who no one seems to notice or plays with becomes more colourful as he is included in school activities when a new student arrives and wants to be his friend.

This book shows how being ignored, excluded, and isolated can affects someone’s self esteem and self-worth. A little bit of friendship, kindness and inclusion can go a long way.

Other anti-bullying books written by Trudy Ludwig that I like and would use are:

Ludwig, Trudy. Just Kidding. Tricycle Press, 2006 – This book is would be good to discuss about the difference between joking, teasing, and bullying as well as peer pressure and tattle-tailing.

Ludwig, Trudy. MySecret Bully. Dragonfly Books, 2015 – This book talks about how friendships can change. It also focuses on how some friends aren’t really your friends.

8. Mobin-Uddin, Asma. My Name is Bilal. Boyds Mills Press, 2005

This book is about a Muslim boy named Bilal who wanted to hide his identity and change his name to Bill, after seeing his sister been bullied by boys trying to remove her hijab. But though learning about the importance of his name and faith through a teacher, he was able to find the courage to standup against those bothering his sister and be proud of his culture.

This book focuses on being proud of your heritage, religion, and name. It also focuses on defending against prejudice and intolerance of cultural and religious differences. It is more important to talk about your identity than to hide who you are.

9. Munson, Derek. Enemy Pie. Chronicle Books, 2000

This book is a boy who doesn’t like his new neighbour, Jeremy, because Jeremy laughed at him and didn’t invite him to his house for a play date. Thus, the narrator put Jeremy on his enemy list and confided in his dad for help. His dad mentioned creating a secret recipe called enemy pie but before the pie could work he had to be play nicely with his enemy for the whole day.

This is a light hearted book that discuss that if you talk to and play with your enemy, you can find out that you have more similarities than difference. Perhaps, a new friendship can form when you spend time together and the unkindness will stop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_I9NgXKtC8 - Author is reading the book.

10. O’Neill, Alexis. The Recess Queen. Scholastic Press, 2005

This book is a rhyming book about a girl named “Mean Jean” who pushed everyone at the playground until the new girl stood up to her and became her friend. Jean was having too much fun with her new friend to bully the other kids around.

This book encourages the students to speak up against bullying and recognize that bossiness can be bullying. It is also a good discussion about bullying in different places and why it might occur outside of the classroom.

11. Otoshi, Kathryn. One. KO Kids Books, 2008

A simple yet cleverly written book about a crayon bullying other crayons until One showed up and decided to stand up against the bully by saying “no”. The words “Everyone Counts” and “Sometimes it just takes one” are great phrases from the book.

This book focuses on the courage to stand up against bullying, which in turns encourages others to stand up together against bullying. It also focuses on inclusion of the bully versus exclusion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TGaDSMAS1E - This video is the author reading her own book and the students acting out the story.

12. Palacio, R.J. Wonder. Knopf Books, 2012

This book is about a boy named, August, who attended school for first time in Grade 5 since he had a facial difference that required many surgeries. Most of the students except for a few were afraid to look at his face and called him names. In the end, his classmates realized their ignorance when they witnessed August been physically harassed by strangers.

This book is a New York Time Best Seller Book and would be a good read aloud by the teacher or read by a strong reader. This book has many different points of view of his support system as well as those that weren’t. It is also a good book to inspire empathy, compassion, and kindness and how not to react to fear, uncomfortableness, and differences with cruelty. It brings on a good discuss about how the students would react if someone’s physical appearance was drastically different from theirs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh5qbE62IyY - The author discussing her book and the reasons why she wrote it.

13. Polacco, Patricia. Bully. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2012

This book is about school cliques. It focuses on those who are in the popular group bullying verbally and through social media those that they consider less popular. A new girl, Lyla, to the school became part of the “cool” group but she decided to standup against the bullying of her “uncool” friend and found herself being bullied as well.

This book brings up discussion about safety on the Internet and cyber bullying on social media and electronic devices. This book also allows for a conversation around the influence of peer pressure, group mentality, and labels.

Patricia Polacco is quite a prolific writer and illustrator that has been given many awards. Here are her thoughts on being bullied and about bullying:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlHoWjPRGX8

14. Savageau, Cheryl. Muskrat Will Be Swimming. Cheryl Savageau. Tilbury House Publishers, 2006

This book is about a Native American girl whose classmates teased her about where she lives. Her grandfather helped her appreciate her ancestry and home by telling Seneca creation story.

This book focuses on being proud of your heritage and your home. It can be related to the myths and legends of First Nations as well as racial injustices. It is a good discussion about being true to you and keeping a strong identity of self no matter what other people might say. It also touches on social economics, turning the name calling into something that is positive, and tolerance.

15. Sornson, Bob. The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others. Early Learning Foundation, 2010

This book is about a new student, Pete, who started to bully other students so that he wouldn’t be bullied as in his previous school. The students took a pledge and stood up for Pete despite his mean actions and words.

This book focuses on not being a bystander and to speak up. It also discusses standing up for each other or asking an adult for help when someone (including bully) is being bullied. It looks into why a bully might be unkind and having empathy for him or her. Also, the pledge that is used in this book can be used for other classrooms or the classes can write their own pledges.

16. Woodson, Jacqueline. Each Kindness. Penguin Young Readers Book, 2012

This book is about a girl named Maya who no one wanted to play with. But by the time the bullies realized the teacher’s message of kindness is always better, Maya had already moved to another school.

This book talks about lost opportunity and that to be kind is so much better than been mean. There can be classroom discussions around the fact that kindness opens the doors to more opportunities and friendships. This book is also a winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor and Jane Addams Peace Award.

References:

Choi, Yangsook. The Name Jar. Dragonfly Books, 2003

Dismondy, Maria. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are. Cardinal Rule Press, 2008

Dr. Seuss. The Snitches and Other Stories. Random House Books for Young Readers, 1961

Estes, Eleanor. The Hundred Dresses. Philomel Books, 2012

Hall, Michael. Red: A Crayon’s Story, 2015

Henkes, Kevin. Chrysanthemum. Greenwillow Books, 2008

Ludwig, Trudy. Just Kidding. Tricycle Press, 2006

Ludwig, Trudy. My Secret Bully. Dragonfly Books, 2015

Ludwig, Trudy. The Invisible Boy. Knopf Books, 2013

Mobin-Uddin, Asma. My Name is Bilal. Boyds Mills Press, 2005

Munson, Derek. Enemy Pie. Chronicle Books, 2000