As school is starting, some kids might have concerns about bullying. Whether it's something they have heard about from older siblings or something they have struggled with in the past, bullying is a serious concern for many children. Below is a list of books and resources for parents and children that discuss all different facets of this complex topic.

Fiction Picture Books

I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoet

This wordless picture book tells the story of a girl who always sits alone and struggles with a bully when another young girl decides to walk with her and be her friend. The wordless nature of this book provides a great opportunity to open a discussion about what kids see happening on the page. 

Get Up, Stand Up by Cedella Marley

This beautiful book is based on the song by the same name by Bob Marley. While the words are more conceptual and rhythmic, the accompanying pictures depict a young girl standing up to bullies in several situations and influencing others to do the same.

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

This colorful tale from local author Jarret J. Krosoczka follows best friends, Peanut Butter (a seahorse) and Jellyfish, as they explore the ocean and struggle with Crabby's mean words. After Peanut Butter and Jellyfish save Crabby from a lobster trap, they discover that Crabby's harsh words were said out of jealousy and insecurity. This book tells a familiar story of bullying with fun sea animals and eye-catching illustrations.

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney

When Gilroy Goat is being a bully, Llama Llama knows he has to reach out for help from a teacher. This is a great book about bullying for fans of Dewdney’s Llama Llama series. It depicts various types of bullying, consequences of bullying for both the perpetrator and the victims, and how to give someone a second chance.

Nonfiction Books

You Are My Friend: The Story of Mister Rogers and His Neighborhood by Aimee Reid

This book tells the story of Fred Rogers, the creator of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. It mentions how when Fred was bullied as a child, he turned to his support systems and emotional outlets like music. It is a beautiful tale about how he took the lessons he learned from his grandparents and neighbors and shared them through his show.

A Kid's Book about Bullying by Elizabeth Tom

This book addresses bullying in a clear and straightforward way. It discusses various forms of bullying, its impacts, and what to do if you're being bullied. This entire series has great books that discuss difficult topics, and this book is no exception. 

The Survival Guide to Bullying: Written by a Teen by Aija Mayrock

In this book, author and teen Aija Mayrock draws on her experience being bullied to offer advice which has been reviewed by psychologists. Mayrock's suggestions about both in-person and online bullying are actions she took in her own life, which she recognizes are not immediate solutions but instead provide solace and hope that there will be an end to the bullying. 

Chapter Books

Wonder by R.J. Palacio 

This beautiful novel follows Auggie Pullman, a fifth-grade boy who was born with severe facial deformities, as he starts his first year in public school. Auggie struggles to make friends, and at one point, his bully has turned the whole school against him. This is a heartwarming novel about courage, overcoming adversity, and acceptance.

Booked by Kwame Alexander

This novel-in-verse follows Nick, an eighth-grade soccer player, as he juggles friendship, crushes, family, and twin bullies. It is a fast-paced story that depicts middle school in an amazingly realistic way that is simultaneously laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreaking.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Eleven-year-old Ellie Montgomery-Hofstein has created her unspoken “Fat Girl Rules” from her experience being bullied both at school and at home. Through support from her new neighbor, her father, and her therapist, Ellie finds the strength to stand up for herself. This is a powerful novel-in-verse about acceptance and self-advocacy. 

Parenting Books

Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know about Ending the Cycle of Fear by Carrie Goldman

This is a well-researched guidebook to ending bullying discusses both in-person and online bullying, distilling dense academic research into more digestible statistics. While the book focuses on girls, both as victims and perpetrators, it is an insightful read for all parents as it provides support, resources, and clear directions.

UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World by Michele Borba, Ed. D.

While this parenting book does not focus on bullying, bullying is discussed at length. Borba breaks down the book into the nine skills of empathy and provides exercises and activities for each skill. 

Further resources

Here are warning signs that a child might be experiencing bullying. Make sure to explore the website for other resources. 

This page from the Center for Parent Information & Resources is a collection of resources about bullying for both parents and children.