Browse our recommended picture books to help children learn to recognise bullying, stop it and prevent it.
Peggy the Always Sorry Pigeon
Wendy Meddour and Carmen Saldana
Peggy is an apologetic pigeon. She always assumes she’s in the wrong. Even when she’s the one getting bullied. But Cynthia, an older female seagull, gives her the necessary skills to stand up for herself. This hilarious follow up to Howard the Average Gecko comes from award-winning author Wendy Meddour and contains an important message about being assertive.
Tyrannosaurus Drip
Julia Donaldson and David Roberts
Everyone knows that tyrannosauruses are big and scary, so when a placid duckbill dinosaur’s egg ends up in the wrong nest confusion is sure to ensue. When the baby dinosaur hatches out, he’s so out of place that his grisly big sisters call him Tyrannosaurus Drip. This roar-tastic book all about celebrating difference is sure to become a firm favourite with young dinosaur fans.
Speak Out, Leonard!
Jessie James
Leonard is a clueless and softly spoken shrew. He can be a bit shy and finds it hard to make his voice heard. This sometimes means he misses out on some of the exciting experiences life has to offer: tasty seed snacks, playing games with the other children at break time, or being the first in the class to answer a question he knows he has the answer to. But when Leonard sees a friend being picked on by a bully in the playground can he find the courage to speak out and save the day?
Troll Stinks
Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Billy Goat and his best friend Cyril are messing about with the farmer’s mobile phone, taking selfies and playing games – until they find the number for a troll. Their Grandpa Gruff says trolls are bad, so Billy and Cyril decide to get their own back by sending mean messages. After all, trolls really do stink! Don’t they?
How to Be a Lion
Ed Vere
Meet Leonard – a lion like no other. Leonard’s best friend is Marianne, a duck. But lions chomp ducks, don’t they? And what will the pair do when their way of life is threatened?
The Big Bad Bug
Kate Read
A bullying beetle gets his comeuppance in this fun, colourful story full of cute bugs and insects. The Big Bad Bug, a self-proclaimed ‘very rare species’ is used to getting his own way, but claiming a giant berry all for himself is a step too far… Will he ever learn to share, and mend his bullying ways?
This bug’s eye view from the bottom of the garden will entrance any young child and show them the value of kindness and community.
I Walk With Vanessa
Kerascoët
Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. By choosing only pictures to tell their story, the creators underscore the idea that someone can be an ally without having to say a word. With themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old.
Elmer and the Big Bird
David McKee
One day, Elmer notices that there are no birds around. How strange! Soon he finds them hiding from the nasty bully bird in a nearby cave. The bully bird is mean and likes to frighten little birds. Led by Elmer, the animals work together to frighten off the bully – and succeed!
Something Else
Kathryn Cave
A simple story, about a small creature who does his best to join in with the others. But he’s different. No matter how he tries, he just doesn’t belong. Then Something turns up and wants to be friends – but Something Else isn’t sure he’s like him at all.
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