How to Handle Bullies, Teasers and Other Meanies

Issue- bullying

Author- Kate Cohen-Posey

Age Range- 8-14+

Key words- bullying and coping strategies for children

This is a book to be read by parents and children together. It features simple language and inviting illustartions to help children and their parents understand what makes bullies act the way they do. The author suggests that understanding is the key to sucessfully changin bullies into allies. She includes a special section for parents with suggestions for helping children discover their own power to overcome "meanness", whether the child is the aggressor or the victim. In this section, Cohen-Posey pays specific attention to promoting relationships between siblings, giving parents strategies to enhance a peaceful home enviroment. The final section of the book provides children with excercises to practice the techniques they have learned and a plan for putting their skills into action.

The only criticisism of this book would be that it doesn't give much advice for when bullying becomes serious, for example, when physical violence is involved. Overall however, the book provides clear and thoughtful advice about ways of diffusing situations and successfully tackling the more common instances of bullying behaviour.