October is Bullying Prevention Month. It’s important that we empower students to not only stand up for themselves, but to also advocate for others. I have a collection of books to help students stand up to bullies. These read alouds will help children recognize and confront bullying behavior.
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Stand Up to Bullies Books
Stand Up to Bullies Books
The Together Tree by Aisha Saeed
At his new school, quiet Rumi feels small and unwelcome, and a few kids bully him for being different and wearing bright shoes. He sits the willow tree by the playground and builds his own world.
One day, when Rumi is made a target again, one of his classmates bravely steps in to defend him. Rumi’s class finally realizes that under the willow tree, all are welcome. They create a space they can all play in together.
Lola and the Troll
Lola is a happy kid who loves recess and her imaginary dog, Tank. There’s just one problem: the neighborhood bully. He hides behind a troll costume and says mean things to everyone who walks by, including Lola. The owner of her favorite bookstore reminds Lola that she is brave. A powerful book that instills the courage to confront a bully.
Stacey's Extraordinary Words by Stacey Abrams
Stacey is a little girl who loves words more than anything. But when her teacher chooses her to compete in the local spelling bee, she isn’t as excited as she thought she’d be. What if she messes up? Or worse, if she can’t bring herself to speak up, like sometimes happens when facing bullies at school? This book models the power of our words – to harm or to help.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
Blue is a quiet color. Red’s a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. The other colors don’t like what they see, but what can they do? When no one speaks up, things get out of hand — until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together, and count. A reminder that it takes just one voice to make a difference.
Kiki Kicks by Jane Yolen
Kiki has watched her mama practice karate for a long time, and now she wants to learn too. She wants to become strong and steady like a mountain. The bullies at school are strong for the wrong reasons. They make Kiki feel small. But today at her first karate lesson, everything changes. Based on Yolen’s poem, “Karate Kid,” this one encourages readers to be strong for the right reasons.
I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoet
Vanessa is a young girl who’s been bullied on the street by another boy. Others in the neighborhood have witnessed it and it makes them all sad. A girl down the street decides that she wants to do something about it and she tells other students. She decides to meet Vanessa for school in the morning. They walk to school together and others join in. A story that inspires a community to stand up to bullying.
Llama Llama & the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama is learning lots of new things at school and making many friends. But when Gilroy Goat starts teasing him and some of their classmates, Llama Llama isn’t sure what to do. And then he remembers what his teacher told him—walk away and tell someone. It works! But then Llama Llama feels badly. Can he and Gilroy try to be friends again? This book for younger students, reminds them to ask for help when being bullied.
Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Molly Lou Melon’s mother taught her to use her big voice for good-to speak up for what’s right, for those who can’t, and even when it’s hard. So she does. So when school starts and a bully begins teasing everyone, including a new student, Molly Lou knows just what to do. From standing up for a friend to admitting when you’ve made a mistake, Molly Lou shows us how speaking up is always the right choice.
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. But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that.
Grab the Lesson for Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Teachers know how important it is for students to be confident. Otherwise, they will have a negative mindset and not see how capable they are of showing growth. Luckily, building confidence with Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon will be a fantastic way to incorporate this skill into academics.
October is a great time to discuss bullying prevention with your students, but it is really a discussion to be had all year. What are your favorite books about standing up to bullies to read aloud in your classroom?
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Save these Stand Up to Bullies Books
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite read alouds board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to these books when you are ready to read them aloud with your students.
