Book Review: A Boy, His Bear and a Bully

Book Review¦ I’m always on the look out for books for my children – I can’t resist a bookshop or a good supermarket offer! Fun books are all good and well, but I really love it when they teach them something at their level. With Autumn starting school last month, I was worried about other children upsetting her. Most parents probably worry about that, as it’s the often the first time they’re not there to help their child in such situations. I wanted to find a way of introducing the idea of bullies to Autumn and how to deal with them, just in case. However, I wasn’t sure how to and didn’t want to make her worried. Then, I was offered a copy of A Boy, His Bear and a Bully by Katie Flannigan and P.J. Reece to review and I thought it looked just the thing. Here’s what we thought.

A Boy, His Bear and a Bully, EK Books

The Story

Aimed at 4-8 year olds, this book is great for opening discussion about bullies with younger primary school children. We’re introduced to several characters, including Scott and his teddy bear, Buttons. He takes Buttons to school every day to help him feel brave when Declan calls him names or ruins his things. When Buttons goes missing, he has to find another way to find brave. This story follows Scott’s journey, ultimately ending with him standing up for himself and the bully, Declan, being given the opportunity to redeem himself.

What Autumn Thought

It was easy for my 5 year old daughter to follow the storyline. I could see her thinking about it from Scott’s perspective. In fact, afterwards she told me about the behaviour of a child in her class who threw her school bag on the floor the other day. She enjoyed seeing Scott become brave and standing up for himself against his bully. She was also incredibly pleased when Buttons was found again, even though he was no longer needed for bravery.

My Thoughts

The book is very nice quality – robust enough for me not to worry about rips when Autumn turns the pages. The story is beautifully illustrated throughout. The words are in a font clear enough for my daughter to be able to read. It is a great way for parents and those in an educational setting to gently approach the topic of bullies and how to deal with them. It also shows bullies that it’s not too late for them to stop and do the right thing.

A Boy, His Bear and a Bully, EK Books

This book retails at £10.99 and is now available at ekbooks.org or on Amazon.

 

Disclosure: We were sent this book in exchange for this review. As always, all views and opinions are honest and my own. 

Leave a comment