Stop Picking On Me: A First Look at Bullying by Pat Thomas (A Review)
About the Book
Stop Picking On Me: A First Look At Bullying by Pat Thomas is part of the “A First Look At…Book” designed to help kids in Kindergarten through 3rd grade cope with different events and circumstances they may find themselves in.
Who Is This Book For
The book is meant to help kids understand bullying including who does it, why it happens and how to prevent it. The targeted age group is kindergarten through 3rd grade though we think it would be beneficial if read to younger kids and even for slightly older elementary aged kids who could read through it themselves.
Our Synopsis of the Book
This book is a great introduction to the issue of bullying and will give kids a good handle on what bullying is, why it happens and how to stop it. It explains the difference between people who sometimes hurt others and bullies who do it repetitively. It also makes it clear that bullying can be either physical or emotional and assures kids who have been bullied that they are not alone. The books an explanation of why some bullies bully and offers several suggestions for helping kids to deal with bullies. There are questions for the kids to consider about their own situation throughout the book as well as helpful suggestions and resources for parents at the back of the book.
Amazon’s Synopsis
Here’s how Amazon describes the book:
Barron’s A First Look At books explore the dynamics in relationships among children of preschool through early school age, and encourage kids to understand personal and social problems as a first step toward solving them. Written by an experienced psychotherapist and counselor, these books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. The language in each book is simple and direct―easy for younger children to understand. Full-color illustrations on every page. This approachable picture book explores the difficult issue of bullying among children. It helps kids accept the normal fears and worries that accompany bullying, and suggests ways to resolve this upsetting experience.
What We Liked
There is a lot to like about this book. It is frank and informative and covers the basic things kids need to know about bullying. In ways a child can understand, the book starts by defining bullying and explaining that bullies come in all shapes and sizes. The book explains reasons why some bullies pick on people and also explains why bullies do they what they do. It offers a number of suggestion on how to deal with bullying – first and foremost being to tell a trusted adult. Like other books in this series, this installment packs a lot of great information into a short and accessible book. It is beautifully illustrated in a way that can help the child relate even better to the concepts being shared.
What We Didn’t Like
We’re big fans of this series, and like the other installments, there wasn’t much about this book that we didn’t like. The book comes off a bit sympathetic to the bully in trying to explain why they might do what they do which could put off someone being bullied, but it is an important truth that serves to help the reader better understand the issue of bullying.
Recommendation
This is a great book for kids who are being bullied, kids who might be bullying others and frankly any kid who is likely to experience bullying at some point. Bullying is huge issue in schools and with kids of all ages, and we highly recommend Stop Picking On Me: A First Look At Bullying by Pat Thomas for all kids.
