Good-Bye Bully Machine
Kindergarten-Grade 5—This book equates living with bullying to being around a scary machine that is "loud and powerful, with spinning wheels and whirling blades. It's cold and mean and looks kind of dangerous." The kid-friendly text explains that bullies are not always bad people and gives possible reasons for their actions. Different types of behavior are explained, including "mean words," "cruel actions," hurtful teasing, and picking on others in "quiet or sneaky ways." The authors provide tips for dealing with negative behaviors and encourage readers to take a stand against bullying and unplug the bully machine. Fox's enticing, edgy, collage artwork will draw readers in. Small photos of children interacting in social situations blend with cut-out words, machine parts and gears, and other images to send a strong visual message. "Bully-Busting Activities" are appended. Easier than Joanne Mattern'sBullying(Heinemann, 2008) and for a slightly older audience than Sally Hewitt'sBullying(Smart Apple, 2008), this offering will be a great discussion springboard for teachers and counselors.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.