10+ Best Bullying Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Navigating the topic of bullying with young children can be challenging, but choosing the right resources can make all the difference. That's why we've gathered a selection of bullying books for 5-year-olds, designed to help little ones understand and cope with this tough issue in a gentle, accessible way. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of bullying books for 5-year-olds, each crafted to foster empathy and kindness in your budding reader.

Fun Bullying Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This story is about Chrysanthemum, a young mouse who loves her unique name until she goes to school and the teasing starts. She learns to appreciate her name again with the help of a supportive teacher.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about self-esteem and how to deal with teasing in a gentle, empathetic way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are starting school or dealing with their own feelings of being different.

• Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Llama Llama deals with a bully goat at school who teases him and his friends. Through the story, Llama learns how to stand up to bullying in a positive way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great tool for teaching kids how to handle bullying by using kindness and getting help from teachers.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who need to understand how to cope with bullies and the importance of kindness.

• The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Brian feels invisible at school until a new student, Justin, arrives. A simple act of kindness creates a new friendship and helps Brian to finally be seen by his classmates.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the power of friendship and inclusion in a very heartwarming way.
  • Perfect for: Children who feel overlooked or undervalued, and anyone who needs a reminder on the importance of kindness.

• 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 helps them stick together and face up against a bully.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its simple yet profound narrative teaches the value of friendship and standing up for others.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning about friendship and how to support each other.

• Weird! by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paula Heaphy
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Luisa is frequently called "Weird!" by a classmate. This story follows her journey from feeling powerless to discovering ways to feel good about herself, despite the mean words.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers practical advice through a relatable story on how to handle being called names and how to reclaim one's self-esteem.
  • Perfect for: Kids experiencing teasing or bullying and those learning how to affirm themselves.

Educational Bullying Books for 5-Year-Olds

• One by Kathryn Otoshi
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book uses colors and numbers to tell a story about standing up to a bully. Blue is quiet and Red is a hothead who picks on Blue. The other colors don't know what to do until One comes and shows all the colors how to stand up and count.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of colors and numbers, empathy, conflict resolution
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a simple yet effective metaphor to teach about bullying and standing up for oneself and others.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning about colors, numbers, and the importance of assertiveness and kindness.

• 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 and proud of it, but Ralph, a classmate, teases her about her unique tastes like eating spaghetti in a hot dog bun. Lucy faces the challenge of dealing with Ralph's teasing with courage and kindness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-esteem, courage, kindness
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to embrace their uniqueness and handle bullying with positivity and strength.
  • Perfect for: Kids who feel different and are learning how to be proud of who they are despite others' opinions.

• The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy, illustrated by Kim Shaw
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Pete is the new kid at school and starts off by bullying the other kids. His classmates decide to stand together and show him how to be part of their community.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, community building, conflict resolution
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes a proactive approach to bullying, teaching kids not only to stand up for themselves but also for others.
  • Perfect for: Children learning about solidarity and the impact of collective action against bullying.

• 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 can change even the toughest situations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, kindness, conflict resolution
  • Why we recommend this book: It demonstrates how new perspectives can transform bullying into friendship.
  • Perfect for: Kids dealing with playground dynamics and those looking to understand how kindness can overcome bullying.

• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young boy learns an effective recipe for turning his best enemy into his best friend, facilitated by his wise father's advice involving a mysterious pie.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Friendship skills, problem-solving, emotional intelligence
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a creative and humorous approach to dealing with enemies and turning negative interactions into positive ones.
  • Perfect for: Children who are navigating friendships and looking for unique ways to deal with conflicts.

Challenging Bullying Books for 5-Year-Olds

• 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 faces off against a big, mean bully of a rodent named Camilla.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses wordplay and themes of speech impediments, which can be complex for young readers to understand but offers a rich reading experience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches empathy and the value of individual differences through a humorous and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are struggling with or learning about speech differences and the importance of accepting everyone's unique traits.

• The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts, illustrated by Christian Robinson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Sally McCabe, a tiny girl at school, notices everything, including the bullying going on around her. One day, she decides to make a big statement, showing that even the smallest person can make a big difference.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with the concept of observation and societal change, which are advanced themes for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book highlights the impact of standing up against wrongdoing, no matter how small you are.
  • Perfect for: Young activists and any child who feels overlooked or undervalued.

• 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 comes to school in ragged clothes and plays alone. After Maya leaves the school, Chloe learns about the effects of kindness and the regret of missed opportunities to be kind.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure involves reflection and a non-traditional resolution, pushing young readers to think critically about their actions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a poignant lesson on the consequences of bullying and the importance of compassion.
  • Perfect for: Children learning about empathy and the impact of their choices on others.

• Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: Mr. Rabbit's new neighbors are otters. Unsure about how to interact with them, he remembers the golden rule: "Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you," leading to a series of imaginative and funny examples of good manners.
  • Why this book is challenging: The play on words and exploration of social rules are presented in a fun yet complex way that challenges young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively teaches manners and respect, important tools in preventing bullying.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humor while learning about treating others with kindness and respect.

• 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 terrorized by a bully, but with the help of their teacher, they see that the bully has his own fears and learn to work together to stop the bullying.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses the psychology behind why someone may act as a bully, which is a sophisticated concept for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: This story teaches understanding and compassion towards everyone, even bullies.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need to understand complex emotions and how to deal with bullying in a thoughtful way.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your little one develop good reading habits while exploring books about bullying, you've come to the right place. Here are some fun and educational exercises that can make reading not only a habit but also a joy for your 5-year-old. These activities are designed to engage young minds and help them understand the themes of kindness and empathy.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Preview the book by looking at pictures before reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and prediction skills.
  • Tips: Ask your child what they think is happening in each picture.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and retention of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make it more fun and engaging.

• Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map or a sequence of events from the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the structure of stories and sequence.
  • Tips: Keep colored pencils and a large paper handy for this activity.

• Question Jar
  • What it is: Write questions about the story on slips of paper and put them in a jar.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and curiosity.
  • Tips: Let your child pick out a question from the jar after each reading session.

• Reading Buddy
  • What it is: Choose a stuffed animal or a doll to be the reading buddy.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a more enjoyable and less solitary activity.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to read aloud to their buddy.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about building a stronger emotional and educational foundation for your child. By incorporating these fun activities, you're setting the stage for a lifelong love of reading and a better understanding of important life lessons. So, grab a book and let's make reading a blast for your budding reader!