Bully

The bully and his victim get sympathy in this picture book. When Mickey’s friend Jack turns into a bully, grabbing Mickey’s cookies, tripping him in the lunchroom, and throwing Mickey’s cap across the school bus, Mickey discusses it at home. Use brave words, Papa says. Try being nice to him, Mama says. It turns out that Jack is angry and hurt because he’s feeling displaced by his baby sister. Mickey makes Jack laugh and they make up and become friends again. The solution is much too easy, of course, as every child will recognize, but the story does open up issues for discussion. Ages 4-8.