For some kids, school is a place full of friends and fun. For others, though, it is a lonely place where bullies pick on them and it feels impossible to be brave. Meet Scott, Buttons and Duncan, otherwise known as A Boy, his Bear and a Bully.
Scott takes Buttons to school with him every day to help him feel brave. He has to, because every day, Duncan is mean to him. Just this week, Duncan has called him names, ripped his painting, and stolen his snack from his lunchbox. Then Buttons goes missing. With his one comfort gone, Scott has to look elsewhere to find his brave, and much to his surprise, he does.
A Boy, his Bear and a Bully addresses the global issue of bullying in a hopeful, gentle way that will resonate with children who have been on either side of a bullying incident. Seeing Scott learn to stand up for himself will help children who feel afraid of bullies face them in a constructive way. Scott’s bravery also inspires his friend Rosie to report Duncan’s bad behaviour to a teacher, giving children a positive model of assertive behaviour.
Scott’s situation is extremely common across the world. His story provides children with clear guidance on what to do if they are also being bullied, and on the role friends should play in such a scenario. It is a sensitive, inspiring conversation starter for children, carers, professionals, and anyone who wishes they could be brave.
About the Author :
Katie Flannigan has had twenty years’ experience in the Health Sector, and now writes full time for children. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, three children and way too many dogs.
PJ Reece is an Australian illustrator whose past work includes illustration for Blake Education, and designing greeting cards which sold at various retail outlets. His traditional pen/pencil and wash style illustrations have evolved into digital illustrations using an iPad and drawing app.;
Review :
“Aimed at 4 to 8 year olds this picture book will be useful as a starter to a discussion"
“An imaginative and sensitive treatment of how to deal with bullying. The lively illustrations reflect the story well, making this a very approachable book.”
“Completely relatable, whichever side of a bullying incident children have found themselves on, A Boy, His Bear and a Bully will help them to understand, to notice and to empathise with bullying and to know that it is not OK.”
“Aimed at 4 to 8 year olds this picture book will be useful as a starter to a discussion ”
“This is a gentle and sweet way of helping children who may be experiencing bullying in preschool or early primary school and could also be useful for the bully. Actually it should be read with all younger children to give them an idea of what happens when people are bullied.”
The book's themes focus on being brave, standing up for oneself, supporting others being bullied, emotional resilience, forgiveness, friendship and kindness and like all good books the problem is solved by the bullied child himself, who discovers he has a voice, and the emotional intelligence to understand by the end of the story that his bully may need his help in how to be a friend. The descriptive illustrations do a great job at describing the characters expressions and feelings and overall this book will be enjoyed by children 3.5+
It is, but it deals with the issue skillfully. It is not preachy or didactic.
Katie Flannigan’s development of the characters is skillful.
P.J. Reece’s illustrations add another level of meaning and humour to an important and serious topic. He has skillfully used colour, white space, contrast and different design elements throughout. Some are full page illustrations; others focus in on the action where the illustrations are framed in a circle – it’s a bit like looking through a porthole.
By the end of the story, readers are given some tools they can use – the ‘Stop it. I don’t like it’ message, along with what to do if someone you know is being bullied. There are apologies given and forgiveness shown.
This book will sit well in education and home settings, forming the base for good discussions about navigating bullying in a modern environment.
