Reading List for Young Readers – Picture Books About Bullying

It’s important to teach children about the negative effects of bullying and to do so early! With the help of the amazing educators in the NF community, we compiled this list of anti-bullying books for very young children that address teasing, bullying, and self-esteem.

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry     When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? Author Beth Ferry makes a memorable debut with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. A Big Guy Took My Ball! by Mo Willems     In A Big Guy Took My Ball! Piggie is devastated when a big guy takes her ball! Gerald is big, too…but is he big enough to help his best friend? I Won’t Bully Again by Naifah Rahman     Naifah, a little girl, wrote this book about the much talked-about topic of bullying. It is the story of Lilly, a little girl who is bullied by fellow schoolmates. Max and some other bullies realize how hurtful they have been and decide to change. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell     Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn’t mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart. Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes     Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria. “Let’s smell her,” says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again? The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill and Laura Huliska-Beith     With her irrepressible spirit, the new girl dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in this infectious playground romp. A fresh and original twist on the common issue of bullying. The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy     Have you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete’s new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about “The Promise.” Will Pete decide to shed his bullying habits and make “The Promise”? I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoet     This simple yet powerful pictures-only book tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. You, Me and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders     This story uses verse, beautiful illustrations and a little person called Quinn to model the meaning of empathy. Throughout the story, Quinn shows an abundance of understanding, compassion and kindness towards others. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson     It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy! Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.