Bully-Proof Your Reading List: 17 Picture Books for kids
In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month, we’ve compiled a list of 17 anti-bullying books that address the sensitive topic of bullying and promote kindness and empathy among elementary school kids.
These are great books for teachers as read-alouds in the classroom or for parents to read at home with their children.
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Let’s face it. Bullying hurts!
As adults we can usually navigate around it fairly easily. But for little kids, being bullied or witnessing bullying behavior at school can be overwhelming and stressful!
Our son is in second grade now and we’ve already heard from him about a few incidents like this on the school playground.
Sadly, bullying is a prevalent issue in elementary and grade schools. And of course, it continues in middle school and beyond. Let’s face it, the bullies aren’t going to magically disappear off the face of the earth. That’s why it’s crucial to teach our young children about being kind, empathy, and how to handle bullying behavior.
One of the most effective ways to teach kids this is through anti-bullying books written especially for elementary school-aged children.
According to Dipesh Navsaria, professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin and founding medical director of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin, books are great conversation starters that can give you an opportunity to talk to your children about these issues and help them learn and understand your family’s values.
These anti-bullying picture books feature relatable characters and situations for kids. They can help kids handle bullies, whether they are the ones being harassed or they are a witness to another child being bullied.
Simply click on any of the book photos below for more information about any of these great anti-bullying books for kids!
17 Must-Read Picture Books for Teaching Kids About Kindness and Bullying
1) Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Teachers’ Pick
Ages 4-8
Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children the importance of self-acceptance and kindness.
Molly Lou, a young girl with unique attributes, shows her classmates that being yourself is something to be pr
When school starts and a bully begins teasing everyone, including a new student, Molly Lou knows just what to do.
“Speak Up” shows that we should embrace our individuality and celebrate it rather than being a bully or a bystander.
2) The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
Teachers’ Pick
Ages 5-7
In “The Recess Queen,” we meet Mean Jean, the bully queen of the playground. But when a new girl, Katie Sue, arrives, this bully is in for a challenge.
With her irrepressible spirit, Katie Sue dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in an inventive way.
The book highlights how the power of friendship and compassion can break down even the toughest barriers. It’s an excellent book for educators or parents looking to address bullying behavior.
3) Real Friends by Shannon Hale
Teachers’ Pick
Ages 7-11
“Real Friends” by Shannon Hale is a graphic novel that explores how hard it is to make real friends and why it’s worth the wait.
It’s a heartfelt tale about bullying and the quest for true friendship, perfect for middle school readers. The characters and the situations in this book are relatable, fresh, and funny.
4) The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy
Teachers’ Pick
Ages 5-9
“The Juice Box Bully” takes a unique approach by showing how bystanders can affect bullying behavior. It empowers children to become “defenders” rather than “bystanders,” showing them how their actions can make a difference when it comes to schoolyard and classroom bullying. I think it’s vital to teach a child the idea of “See Something, Say Something”. This book really helps with that concept.
5) The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Teachers’ Pick
Ages 5-8
“The Invisible Boy” is a beautifully illustrated picture book that delves into the life of alittle boy named Brian. This book kind of hit me right in the heart as I sometimes worry about my own child not always fitting in or not being chosen in schoolyard picks. I guess that’s something a lot of us parents think about from time to time.
The story goes on to show how a single act of kindness can help a bullied child like Brian feel seen and valued. This book is an excellent choice for teachers and parents alike to encourage empathy and inclusion.
Ludwig is an award-winning author of numerous children’s books that help young readers connect and engage with their peers in kinder, more caring ways.
Her work focuses on promoting empathy, inclusion, and diversity in the classroom and beyond. Trudy is also a sought-after speaker in the education sector.
She offers a ton of free resources on her website including lesson plans and classroom activities. These are wonderful tools for teachers as well as parents!
6) My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig
Ages 5-9
Here is the all-too-familiar story of Monica, the story of one of those “mean girls”. She and Katie have been friends since kindergarten. Monica loves being around her when she’s nice. But there are times when Katie can be just plain mean especially when other kids are around.
Monica just doesn’t get why Katie acts like a mean girl. She starts to internalize this feeling and even ends up getting stomach aches over it.
Monica is a victim of what they call relational aggression, emotional bullying among friends who will use name-calling and manipulation to humiliate and exclude. In other words, getting ganged up on.
But with a little help from her super supportive mom, Monica learns to thrive by facing her fears and standing up to Katie. This book teaches kids how to reclaim their power from a bully!
7) One by Kathryn Otoshi
Teachers’ Pick
Ages 2-6
Blue is a tranquil color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but none of them speak up. They feel there’s really nothing they can do to change it. Then, “One” comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count.
“One” is a powerful picture book that emphasizes the importance of standing up against bullying and supporting the victim. It introduces the concept of togetherness and encourages young readers to take a stand against bullying by speaking up.
8) Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Teachers’ Pick
Ages 2-7
Woodson’s “Each Kindness” explores the consequences of not showing kindness to others. Through the story of Chloe and her missed opportunity to befriend a new student, this book illustrates the impact of our actions and how being kind can make a difference.
I found the ending of this book kind of sad because Chloe never does get a chance to be kind to Maya before she moves out of town. But I guess that’s the point… to teach young readers that you may really regret a missed chance to be kind to someone so show kindness to everyone…especially the new kid in class!
9) Weird by Erin Frankel
Ages 6-9
Erin Frankel’s “Weird” is part of a remarkable series of books that include “Weird,” “Dare,” and “Tough.”
These books explore the experiences of children who face bullying and encourage young readers to develop empathy and understanding for those who might be perceived as “different.” Frankel promotes the idea that being unique and true to oneself is a strength to be celebrated.
Luisa is repeatedly teased and called “weird” by her classmate Sam, even though she is simply being herself—laughing with her friends, answering questions in class, greeting her father in Spanish, and wearing her favorite polka-dot boots.
Luisa initially reacts to the bullying by withdrawing and hiding her colorful nature. But with the support of her teachers, parents, and classmates, she reclaims her uniqueness and takes the power away from her bully.
I absolutely love this book! It’s simple and straightforward and it has really fun illustrations as well as an important message about always being yourself. Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle! Or in this case…your polka dots.
As a bonus at the end of the book, there’s a neat acronym for W.E.I.R.D. to help remind kids what to do to become bully-proof!
10) Daisy by Jessixa Bagley
Ages 4-8
This is a great book for any kid who has trouble fitting in and marches to the beat of their own drum. It’s a very sweet story with pretty artwork about misfits and finding friendship.
In “Daisy,” Jessixa Bagley tells the story of Daisy the warthog. Daisy was named after her mama’s favorite flower. She is teased at school for not taking after her namesake and for “looking for junk” all the time. Some of her classmates even nickname her Thistle.
Most of the time Daisy’s head is hanging low, but during her free time when her head is bent down often, finding hidden beauty in overlooked treasures.
“Daisy” encourages children to appreciate the uniqueness of every individual and that everyone needs a friend, especially those who don’t seem to fit in with the crowd.
11) Trouble Talk by Trudy Ludwig
Ages 6-9
Another terrific anti-bullying book by Trudy Ludwig, “Trouble Talk” explores the power of words and their impact on others. It encourages children to think before they speak and to choose words that uplift and support their peers, rather than engaging in negative “trouble talk.”
12) Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
Teacher’s Pick
Ages 2-6
Stick and Stone are sticking together in this hilarious and heartwarming read that proves once and for all why best friends ROCK! Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld did an amazing job on this picture book. If you’re a fan of read-alouds by Kelly DiPucchio and Jory John, you will love this one!
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with Pinecone, a friendship is born. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?
This book is simplistic but in a good way! It balances minimalism with super cute illustrations and an endearing story about friendship.
13) The Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman
Teachers’Pick
Ages 4-8
In “The Bully Blockers Club,” Teresa Bateman introduces young readers to Lotty Raccoon, who creates a club to stand up against bullies. It teaches children about the importance of supporting one another in the face of bullying. This is a great little story about kids working together as a team to stop bullying without turning into bullies themselves!
14) Simon’s Hook by Karen Gedig Burnett
Ages 5-9
Simon is having a bad day because his sister gives him a strange hair cut and his friends tease him, but his Grandma Rose teaches him how to handle teases and put-downs.
There is no way to rid the world of bullies so we need to teach our children specific skills for how to deal with these situations.
“Simon’s Hook” is a simple story but it delivers on exploring the topics of relational aggression and the power of friendship. Simon learns to deal with the hurtful actions of others and discovers how to maintain his self-esteem while confronting the problem.
15) Say Something by Peggy Moss
Ages 6-10
In “Say Something,” Peggy Moss encourages children to speak up when they witness bullying. This book empowers young readers to understand that their words and actions can make a significant difference in preventing and addressing bullying in their school community.
The girl in this story sees bullying happening, but she would never do these mean things herself. Then one day something happens that shows her that being a silent bystander isn’t enough. One child at a time can help change a school.
Resources at the end of the book will help parents and children talk about teasing and poking fun at other children and find ways to stop it at school. This book about bullying has been around for quite a while and has stood the test of time!
16) Bye Bye Bully by Stacy C. Bauer
Ages 4-8
Wyatt Kangaroo and his friends love recess, but when Lenny Lion starts to bully them, it makes them all miserable! Will Wyatt and his friends figure out a way to stop Lenny’s bullying behavior? This book is a fun adventure all about friendship, empathy, and standing up for what is right.
Bullying is a tough reality in childhood, especially on the school playground. This picture book has really cute, colorful illustrations. Wyatt has a ton of helpful tips that all kids should have in their toolboxes when it comes to bullies!
17) Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories edited by Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones
Ages 12-17
While this one is not a picture book, I wanted to include it anyway as it’s a powerful resource for teachers to have in their toolkit when it comes to bullying awareness and prevention!
“Dear Bully” is a unique collection of personal essays from 70 authors, including Jay Asher, Jacqueline Woodson, and Julie Anne Peters, sharing their experiences with bullying.
This book is a great conversation starter perfect for classroom discussion for tweens and teens, middle school and high school kids.
These authors for teens and young people share their own personal stories about bullying—as bystanders, as victims, and even as the bullies themselves in this collection.
It is a wonderful book to help foster empathy and self-reflection.
wrapping up: best kids’ books on Bullying
These awesome anti-bullying books enrich our resources for teaching kids about compassion, empathy, and standing up against bullying.
Bullying happens in all levels of education from preschool and kindergarten, all the way through elementary/grade school, and secondary school. Unfortunately, that’s the way of the world but we can keep these books in our toolkit as parents and teachers to combat bullying in a healthy, productive way!
As a side note, I also think that if there happens to be a child in the class who IS the one doing the bullying, these anti-bullying books might just help them self-reflect and hopefully make better choices.
Sharing these stories truly empowers young readers to advocate for positive change in the battle against bullying!
Several of the books we’ve chosen are Teacher’s Picks on Amazon. This is an incredible list of books for Kindergarten-Grade 8, chosen with the help of feedback from hundreds of teachers. I love going through the Teacher’s Picks page whenever I am in need of some reading inspiration for my kid!
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT BULLYING
Remember, it’s NEVER too early to start reading with your kids and teaching them about bullying or other important life lessons through picture books.
In fact, as parents, I feel it’s our duty to start early.
Before your child is enrolled in school, try to read to them as often as you can. A little goes a long way when it comes to early literacy skills!
Let’s all try to build a better, more inclusive, kind, and compassionate world where every child is valued and respected.
Happy reading!
Until next time, K.
Kelly Blakely is the founder and creative force behind Just Our View From Here. As a first-time mom over 40, she brings a fresh perspective to parenting and family life on her blog. Kelly also explores a wide range of lifestyle topics in her writing, including fashion, beauty, self-care, and well-being.
MORE ARTICLES FOR YOU TO ENJOY:
Best Read Aloud Books For 4-7 Year Olds
Thankful & Gratitude Books For Kindergarten & Grade 1-2
Meow-mazing Picture Books About Cats
Outer Space Books For Little Kids Who Love Space!
Sweet Friendship Books For Kindergarten
Hilarious Read-Alouds To Crack Up Your 5 Year Old
Reading Tips For Preschool Parents
Books To Teach Kids About Emotions & Big Big Feelings
10 Christmas Books About Giving & Holiday Spirit
RESOURCES
Recommended Reading List: Books To Build Value & Character In Children
How Picture Books Help Kids Develop Literacy Skills~ readingpartners.org
Trudy Ludwig Author: Resources & Classroom Activities
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I am so happy I came across this as I have been trying to find some quality picture books for my daughter (she just turned 5!). It’s always important to me to find stories that entertain and teach. Each Kindness sounds absolutely magical! I can’t wait to see what she thinks (It’s becoming quite often that I enjoy the book more than she does, lol). We just finished a really sweet picture book called “The Garden Scouts: Buzzing With Love” by Rachael Hartzell. The book follows a little fly named Kiki who is hoping to make some new friends at Garden Scouts this year but gets on the wrong side of a very grumpy beetle named Rhino. The two end up having to be partners to earn their love strawberry pins and learn valuable lessons about friendship, empathy and treating people with kindness (even if they don’t treat you well).
I will check that one out. Thanks!