Don't Bully - Be A Friend

Book:  Goal! (Book Link) Author: Mina Javaherbin (Author Link) Illustrator: A. G. Ford (Illustrator Link) Publisher: Candlewick Press Date of Publication : 2010 Genre: Picture Book, Diverse Protagonists Lexile Score: AD480L Citation: Javaherbin, M. (2010). Goal! Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. Summary:  In the story Ajani and his friends set out to play a game of soccer with the new ball he had just got.  However whenever they would play soccer a group of bullies would always come and try to ruin their fun.  Since Ajani and his friends were using his new ball they drew sticks to determine which one of them would have to stand lookout on the roof.  Badu had first watch, but when the game got intense he got distracted which gave the bullies enough time to approach.  Ajani was able to hide his new ball just in time.  The bullies came and took their old ball, so the group of friends pretended to cry so the bullies thought they had w...

Book:  I Am Enough ( Book Link) Author: Grace Byers ( Author Link) Illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo ( Illustrator Link) Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher Date of Publication : 2018 Genre: Picture Book, Written in the last 4 years, Diverse Protagonists Lexile Score: Unavailable - Intended for age 4-8 Citation: Byers, G. (2018). I Am Enough . New York, NY: Harper Collins Publisher. Summary: The book shows a story of children in everyday life situations.  The rhyming words on the page showcase what we are hear in this world to do.  It explains multiple reasons that we are here on Earth, and struggle we may face along the way.  All the while the pages are filled with diverse illustrations that showcase characters of different races, sizes, and those with disabilities.  It shows that even though we are not all the same we can still be friends, and help each other.  The end message being that we must realize that even though we are different th...

Book:  Stick and Stone (Book Link) Author: Beth Ferry (Author Link) Illustrator: Tom Litchtenheld (Illustrator Link) Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Date of Publication : 2015 Genre: Picture Book, Written in the last 4 years, Diverse Protagonists Lexile Score: 250L Citation: Ferry, B. (2015). Stick and Stone . Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Summary: The two main characters Stick and Stone were both alone with no friends, until a bully comes along.  The Pinecone bully is mean to Stone, which leads Stick to stand up for him.  This leads to a great friendship when they realize they can rely on each other.  However it wasn’t long before they faced another struggle when a storm hit.  The storm left Stick and Stone separated and alone again. Stone was able to persevere and in the end found Stick and their friendship resumed. Audience:  I would say this book would be targeted at either kindergarten or first grade.  E...

INTRODUCTION Bullying is an issue that is ever growing, and an important topic that needs to be addressed in the classroom.  This blog will put together a collection of books that can be brought into the classroom to do just that! By bringing to light the issue of bullying in your classroom it might steer students away from bullying.  It could also cause a student to speak up and help someone who would’ve otherwise had no one to turn to.  If students learn what bullying is in younger grades they will have the knowledge to spot bullies, and know what to do in these difficult situations.  These books can be paired with activities to get the students moving and learn the importance of being kind to one another.  When I’m a teacher I hope to bring the topic of bullying into my classroom to teach the power of our actions and words, and I hope you do to!