October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This makes it the perfect time to have discussions with students about the realities of bullying. An excellent tool to begin these conversations is a picture book. Check out these anti-bullying books for kids!
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the Anti-Bullying Books for Kids on my Youtube channel.
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Anti-Bullying Books for Kids
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
The Invisible Boy tells the story of a quiet young boy who is overlooked in the classroom. Brian is shy and no one (including the teacher) pays him much attention. When a new student joins the class, the other kids make fun of him. But Brian reaches out to him with a kind note. The two become friends and Brian is no longer invisible.
Grab the lesson plan for The Invisible Boy
My favorite part of this book is that the illustration of Brian starts out in black and white. As the story goes on, he is drawn in more and more color. A great anti-bullying book for kids!
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
In Each Kindness, Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya.
Get the lesson for Each Kindness
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
Just when he thought he had a perfect summer in the making, a bully moved in down the street. His dad has just the solution to deal with Jeremy Ross – Enemy Pie. He learns a valuable lesson in building relationships and handling conflict, all in one delicious story.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Molly Lou Melon is taught to be proud and confident of herself no matter what, but this confidence is tested when she moves to a new town. This story will strike a chord for anyone who has been the new kid at school. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon teaches students to be confident in themselves.
Get the lesson plan for Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
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
The Recess Queen is about a bully that makes everybody follow her commands, until one day, a girl named Katie Sue, a tiny kid, saves the day. Katie asks her to play with her on the playground. The humor and illustrations are very engaging for young readers.
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
Strictly No Elephants is about a young boy who isn’t allowed to join the Pet Club because his pet is an elephant. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all different shapes and sizes, just like friends. So the boy and his elephant create a club where ALL are welcome.
Get the lesson plan for Strictly No Elephants
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Penelope the dinosaur starts school, but it’s hard to make friends when her classmates are so delicious!
It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates is a fun book to share with students, with a great anti-bullying message!
Get the lesson plan for We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
Be Kind is a picture book about the power of kindness.
When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference–or at least help a friend.
Grab the FREE lesson for Be Kind here
These anti-bullying books for kids are important read alouds all year long!
Free Read Aloud Lesson
Would you like to try out an interactive read aloud lesson? You can grab this free lesson plan for Jabari Jumps to share with your students. This free download focuses on helping students overcome challenges. Each lesson includes discussion questions and activities to do with the book. Just fill out the form below and it will be delivered straight to your inbox!
Save This Read Aloud Book List
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite read alouds board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to this book list when you are ready to read them aloud with your students.
