10+ Best Books About Bullying for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Navigating the topic of bullying can be tough, especially for little ones. That's why finding the right books about bullying for 6-year-olds is crucial. These books not only help explain what bullying is but also teach resilience and kindness. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, keep reading to discover a selection of books that can open up meaningful conversations and provide comfort and understanding to young children facing this challenging issue.

Fun Books About Bullying for 6-Year-Olds

• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story follows Chrysanthemum, a young mouse who loves her unique name until she starts school and gets teased about it.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to the concepts of teasing and self-esteem, presented in a way that's relatable and reassuring for young children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are starting school or dealing with their own feelings about being different.

• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Brian, a boy who feels invisible at school until a new student arrives. The new kid appreciates Brian's kindness and helps him feel seen and valued.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of kindness and how one friend can make a big difference in someone's life.
  • Perfect for: Children who feel overlooked or undervalued and anyone who wants to understand the power of friendship.

• Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Llama Llama deals with Gilroy Goat who likes to tease and bully the other kids at school. Eventually, Llama Llama shows Gilroy that it's better to share and be a friend than to be a bully.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a straightforward, understandable approach to handling bullies and promotes the values of friendship and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and early elementary school students who are learning how to navigate social situations and friendships.

• One by Kathryn Otoshi
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This colorfully illustrated book uses colors and numbers to tell a story about standing up to a bully and the power of unity and kindness.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively teaches kids about bullying and the importance of standing up for what's right in a very simple, visual way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy visual storytelling and need a basic, clear message about courage and community.

• Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Stick and Stone are lonely until a chance encounter during a breezy day brings them together. When a bully, Pinecone, teases Stone, Stick stands up for him, starting a lasting friendship.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun read with a simple yet powerful message about sticking up for your friends and the value of friendship.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning about the importance of helping and supporting others.

Educational Books About Bullying for 6-Year-Olds

• Jungle Bullies by Steven Kroll, illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Even in the jungle, teasing and bullying can be a problem. Elephant starts bullying other animals, leading to a chain reaction until Monkey teaches everyone a better way to deal with their feelings.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses animal characters to make the topic of bullying accessible and teaches children about the effects of their actions in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love animal stories and need to learn about kindness and respect.

• The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mean Jean is the recess queen and nobody dares to cross her until a new girl named Katie Sue comes along. Katie Sue shows that kindness and an invitation to play can change everything.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, kindness, bravery
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a positive solution to bullying through friendship and courage, presented in a rhythmic, lively text that captures kids' attention.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are dealing with playground dynamics or who might be nervous about standing up to bullies.

• Weird! by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paula Heaphy
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Luisa is repeatedly called "weird" by a classmate. Through the story, she learns to stand up for herself and appreciate her own uniqueness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-esteem, resilience, individuality
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a relatable story that encourages children to embrace their differences and teaches them how to handle name-calling constructively.
  • Perfect for: Children who feel out of place or bullied for being different and those looking to boost their self-confidence.

• Bully B.E.A.N.S. by Julia Cook, illustrated by Anita DuFalla
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around a bully named Bobbette, who rules the school until one of her classmates discovers the magical "Bully Beans." These beans give children the courage to stand up to Bobbette and teach her about kindness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Courage, assertiveness, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a creative and empowering way for kids to see how they can confront bullying and help change a bully's behavior.
  • Perfect for: Young students who are looking for ways to deal with school bullies and gain confidence in social situations.

• Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Barbara L. Gibson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Chester Raccoon and his friends are scared of a bully at school until their teacher gives them some advice on understanding bullies and standing up to them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, understanding, conflict resolution
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles the issue of bullying by offering a gentle approach to understanding why bullies act the way they do and how to handle them.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who need help understanding how to deal with bullies in a compassionate way.

Challenging Books About Bullying for 6-Year-Olds

• Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are by Maria Dismondy, illustrated by Kim Shaw
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Lucy is different from the other kids and gets bullied by Ralph for the things that make her unique. However, she shows courage and kindness in dealing with her bully.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces complex themes of self-acceptance and resilience against bullying in a way that challenges young readers to think about how they treat others.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages kids to embrace their uniqueness and teaches them the importance of kindness, even when faced with unkindness.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to accept themselves and others, and those dealing with bullies.

• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Hoping to get rid of his enemy, a little boy helps his dad make an Enemy Pie. But spending the day with his enemy turns out to be a lot different than he expected.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and the theme of turning an enemy into a friend through unexpected kindness present a challenging yet rewarding concept for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever take on handling bullies by turning negative experiences into positive ones and learning about friendship.
  • Perfect for: Kids who might be dealing with difficult relationships at school and need a creative way to think about resolving conflicts.

• Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Chloe and her friends reject the new girl, Maya, who eventually stops coming to school. When the teacher gives a lesson about kindness, Chloe realizes she lost her chance to ever show kindness to Maya.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles themes of regret and missed opportunities for kindness, which are profound and thought-provoking topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It illustrates the impact of our actions and inactions on others and underscores the importance of kindness.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning about the consequences of their actions and the importance of compassion.

• Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Rodney Rat, who can't pronounce his Rs, becomes an unlikely hero when he uses his speech impediment to outsmart a bully at his school.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses humor and a unique character challenge (speech impediment) to address bullying, requiring readers to understand and empathize with Rodney's situation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that promotes self-acceptance and clever problem-solving in the face of bullying.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are feeling self-conscious about their own differences and can learn from Rodney's bravery and cleverness.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 6-year-old develop good reading habits while exploring books about bullying, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and effective exercises that can make reading a more engaging and enriching experience for your little one.

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day to read aloud together.
  • How it helps: This strengthens reading skills and builds a routine.
  • Tips: Choose a comfortable spot and a consistent time to read every day to create a sense of anticipation and stability.

• Discuss the Story
  • What it is: After reading, discuss the story and characters, focusing on the bullying aspects.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and empathy, and provides a safe space to talk about difficult topics.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions like "How do you think the character felt?" to encourage thoughtful responses.

• Role Play Scenarios
  • What it is: Act out different scenarios from the book related to bullying.
  • How it helps: Helps children understand different perspectives and the impact of bullying.
  • Tips: Switch roles often to ensure your child sees the situation from multiple viewpoints.

• Draw the Story
  • What it is: Encourage your child to draw scenes from the book that made an impact on them.
  • How it helps: Supports visual memory and helps express feelings about the story's events.
  • Tips: Provide colorful materials and ask them to explain their drawings to foster creativity and verbal skills.

• Create a Story Map
  • What it is: Together, create a visual map of the story, including key events and characters.
  • How it helps: Aids in understanding the structure of stories and the consequences of characters' actions.
  • Tips: Use large paper and markers to make it more interactive and fun.

• Predict the Outcome
  • What it is: Before finishing the story, ask your child to predict what might happen next and why.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and reasoning skills.
  • Tips: Validate all predictions to encourage confidence, regardless of their accuracy.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you're not just helping your child develop good reading habits; you're also equipping them with the tools to understand and discuss important life lessons. Happy reading!