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Quick answer: The best children’s books about bullying help kids recognize unkind behavior, stand up for themselves and others, and build empathy. Top picks include The Invisible Boy, Each Kindness, One, The Recess Queen, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon and, for older readers, Wonder.
Bullying can happen at any age, from preschool name-calling to middle school social exclusion. Children who are bullied often feel ashamed and stay silent. Children who bully may not understand how much harm they cause. And bystanders, the largest group of all, often don’t know what to do. Stories give kids a safe distance to look at these situations, talk about them and practice what they would say or do. The list below is organized roughly by age, from picture books for preschoolers to chapter books and graphic novels for upper elementary readers.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llama Llama and the Bully Goat | Anna Dewdney | 3–6 | First lessons |
| The Berenstain Bears and the Bully | Stan and Jan Berenstain | 4–7 | Standing up for yourself |
| One | Kathryn Otoshi | 3–7 | Bystanders |
| Bully | Laura Vaccaro Seeger | 3–7 | Understanding the bully |
| Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon | Patty Lovell | 4–8 | Confidence |
| The Recess Queen | Alexis O’Neill | 4–8 | Playground bullying |
| Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun | Maria Dismondy | 4–8 | Being different |
| The Juice Box Bully | Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy | 4–8 | Class promise |
| The Invisible Boy | Trudy Ludwig | 5–9 | Exclusion |
| Each Kindness | Jacqueline Woodson | 5–9 | Regret and empathy |
| Confessions of a Former Bully | Trudy Ludwig | 7–11 | The bully’s perspective |
| Jake Drake, Bully Buster | Andrew Clements | 7–10 | Early chapter book |
| Blubber | Judy Blume | 9–12 | Group bullying |
| Real Friends | Shannon Hale | 8–12 | Friendship and cliques |
| Wonder | R.J. Palacio | 8–12 | Choosing kindness |
1. Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
Gilroy Goat teases Llama Llama and his friends at school. Llama Llama tells the teacher, and Gilroy learns a better way to play. The simple message, tell a grown-up, is exactly right for preschoolers.
2. The Berenstain Bears and the Bully by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Sister Bear gets beaten up by a tough girl named Tuffy and learns that there’s often a reason behind a bully’s behavior. Parents appreciate the practical advice woven into the story.
3. One by Kathryn Otoshi
Red picks on quiet Blue, and the other colors don’t know what to do, until the number One shows them how to stand up. With just colors and numbers, this brilliant book teaches the power of a single brave bystander.
4. Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A big bull is mean to everyone, until a small goat calls him a bully. With very few words and bold art, this book helps young kids see that bullies often act out because they’ve been hurt themselves.
5. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Molly Lou is short, has buck teeth and a voice like a bullfrog, but her grandmother taught her to be proud. When a classmate makes fun of her, she wins him over with confidence. Kids love her spirit.
6. The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
Mean Jean rules the playground until a tiny new girl named Katie Sue invites her to play. The rhyming, rollicking text makes this a classroom favorite, and the ending shows how friendship can change a bully.
7. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
Lucy is teased for her unusual lunches and curly hair. When the bully gets into trouble, she has to decide whether to help him. It’s a thoughtful look at courage and staying true to yourself.
8. The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy
Pete is used to pushing others around, but his new class has made a promise not to be bystanders. Together, they show him a better way. Teachers often use it to introduce a classroom kindness pledge.
9. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Brian is never picked for games or invited to parties. He’s drawn in black and white until a new student notices him and his world gains color. It’s a quiet but powerful book about exclusion, the kind of bullying adults often miss.
10. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Chloe and her friends ignore new girl Maya, until Maya moves away and Chloe realizes she missed her chance to be kind. The ending doesn’t tie things up neatly, which sparks deep conversations about regret and empathy.
11. Confessions of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig
Told as a journal by Katie, a girl who has been caught bullying, this book explains relational aggression, why people bully and how to make amends. Kid-friendly tips and resources make it useful for ages 7 to 11.
12. Jake Drake, Bully Buster by Andrew Clements
Jake is a bully magnet, and second grade bully Link Baxter has made him his target. When they’re assigned a project together, Jake figures out how to handle him. It’s a funny, fast early chapter book from the author of Frindle.
13. Blubber by Judy Blume
Jill goes along with her classmates when they torment Linda, until Jill becomes the target. Judy Blume shows how group bullying works and how easy it is to become part of the problem. It still rings true decades later.
14. Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
In this graphic memoir, Shannon struggles to stay in “The Group,” the most popular girls in class, and faces bullying at home and at school. It’s honest, relatable and perfect for kids navigating cliques.
15. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Auggie Pullman, born with a facial difference, attends school for the first time in fifth grade. Told from several perspectives, Wonder shows the cruelty and kindness of classmates and inspires readers to “choose kind.”
How to Talk to Your Child About Bullying
- Define it clearly. Bullying is repeated, on purpose and involves a power imbalance. One rude comment is not always bullying.
- Ask open questions. “Who do you sit with at lunch?” can reveal more than “Are you being bullied?”
- Practice responses. Role-play saying “Stop, I don’t like that” and walking away to an adult.
- Empower bystanders. Teach kids they can help just by standing next to the target or telling a teacher.
- Work with the school. Keep notes on incidents and share them with the teacher or counselor.
Related reading: social emotional books for elementary school and books for reluctant readers in middle school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best picture book about bullying?
One by Kathryn Otoshi and The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig are widely considered the best. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson is excellent for deeper discussion.
What book teaches kids to stand up to bullies?
One teaches bystanders to speak up, while Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon shows a child facing teasing with confidence.
What age is Wonder appropriate for?
Wonder is best for ages 8 to 12. Younger kids can enjoy the picture book version, We’re All Wonders.