By Tanni Haas, Ph.D. | Contributor
October marks the observance of National Bullying Prevention Month, presenting a valuable chance for parents to instruct their children on confronting bullies and, more broadly, on the significance of showing kindness and respect to others. Below are some outstanding anti-bullying books suitable for toddlers, young readers, tweens, and teens.
For Toddlers (Ages 1-3)
I Say Excuse Me. I Do Not Push! by Suzanne Christian. Publisher: Two Raven Books.
It’s never too soon to instill in children the principle of treating others as they wish to be treated. The challenge lies in conveying this essential lesson to toddlers. In this charmingly illustrated book, Suzanne Christian presents a scenario that resonates with even the youngest audiences: using “excuse me” rather than pushing to get ahead. This title is part of the extensive My Amazing Toddler Behavioral Series, authored entirely by Suzanne Christian, and includes other titles that encourage respectful interactions such as I Use Kind Words. I Do Not Hit!, I Count To Four. I Do Not Bite!, and I Share My Toys. I Am Kind.
For Young Readers (Ages 4-7)
Link Takes A Stand: A Story about Bullying and Kindness, by Anders Grit and Vivi Grit. Publisher: Fungoose.
This delightful story introduces readers to a lovable, purple dinosaur named Link who encounters bullying from a classmate on his first day at a new school. The narrative, crafted in engaging rhyme, offers important lessons on how to confront bullies, encapsulated in the acronym “S.T.A.N.D” which stands for “Stand Tall,” “Tell Them To Stop,” “Ask For Help,” “Never Blame Yourself,” and “Develop Strong Friendships.” This book, written by the husband-and-wife duo of Vivi and Anders Grit, is part of the three-title Mindset Magic series, which also addresses anxiety, stress management, and remaining calm.
For Tweens (Ages 8-12)
The No More Bullying Book For Kids, by Vanessa Allen. Publisher: Callisto Kids.
This essential guide serves as a comprehensive introduction to anti-bullying strategies for tweens. Organized into three key sections—“Recognize Bullying,” “Stop Bullies,” and “Become Bully-Proof”—the book empowers readers to identify various forms of bullying, offers guidance on responding when they or others are targeted, and equips them with problem-solving skills to minimize their vulnerability to bullying. Enhanced with real-life narratives and hypothetical scenarios, it also features a resource section listing other valuable anti-bullying books and websites for children and their guardians. The author, Vanessa Allen, is an experienced school counselor adept in addressing bullying behavior.
For Teens (Ages 13 and Up)
The Bullying Workbook For Teens, by Raychelle Lohmann and Julia Taylor. Publisher: Instant Help.
This advanced workbook offers practical activities aimed at boosting teens’ self-esteem and fostering meaningful relationships. It equips young adults with tools to manage challenging emotions such as anxiety and fear, while developing tactics to prevent being bullied. Notably, the book includes a dedicated section on cyberbullying, an increasingly pertinent issue given teens’ extensive online presence. This resource is part of the Instant Help Books For Teens, which includes 19 volumes addressing social anxiety and healthy body image.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at The City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
