The ‘Are’ Word: Helping Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Deal with Bullying and Teasing. Dave Hingsburger, $5.50

People with intellectual disabilities are often the brunt of bullying and teasing – on the street, in the schoolyard and in the workplace. This practical and compassionate little booklet suggests new strategies for dealing with mean people, their remarks and actions. A great booklet for parents, family, educators and caregivers, The ‘Are’ Word will help you better understand and support the person with an intellectual disability.

Battling Bullies: What Every Parent Should Know. TVOntario, $39.99 Home Use Only. DVD format 56 minutes. (For School, School Boards, College & Institutional use, please contact Parentbooks for performance rights costs.)

This special one hour TVO program explores the lives of children who are bullied at school and how are schools responding. It also looks at parents who have developed their own anti-bully campaigns in reaction to their children's abuse by bullies and at how "cyberbullying" has become the latest weapon of choice for bullies. York University psychology professor Debra Pepler discusses why children bully, and the life-long problems that bullies are at high risk for. Battling Bullies also takes a look at an anti-bully campaign (from elementary to high school) at a school board in the Grey and Bruce Counties of Ontario to see what is working … and what isn’t.

The Bully Blockers Club. Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic, $8.95

Lotty Raccoon is excited. This year she has a new teacher, new backpack, and new shoes. But her enthusiasm quickly wanes when Grant Grizzly begins bullying her. She notices other kids are being bullied by Grant, too so she gathers everyone together and they form a club — The Bully Blockers Club. Now when Grant tries to bully someone, the other kids speak up.

Bully Blocking: Six Secrets to Help Children Deal with Teasing and Bullying. Evelyn Field, $19.95

“This confidence-boosting book aims to help children overcome the damaging effects of teasing and bullying, and to develop practical skills and attitudes to improve their self-esteem and quality of life. Bully Blocking will be an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, educators and counselors working with children at risk of or experiencing bullying.”

The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander: From Pre-School to High School, How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence, 2nd Edition. Barbara Coloroso, $21.95; CD $16.95

Barbara Coloroso now brings her extensive experience in conflict resolution, parent education and her tremendous passion to the topic of bullying. She argues that the solution is in prevention and that the focus should be on raising confident and resilient children by "teaching them how to think, not just what to think". She discusses hazing, school cliques and the "double whammy" of racist bullying. Responsibility is placed on the parents, schools and communities to take early action with appropriate interventions, not punishment, for the bullies and onlookers, in addition to providing support for the victim. Coloroso also discusses the weakness of "zero tolerance" policies, which might be easy to administer but don't address the deeper issues. The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander is an accessible guide for concerned parents, educators and communities on the topic of bullying and violence that urges us all to take a stand.

Bullying & Proactive Inclusion of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Guide for Educators. Autism Ontario, $1.25

This pamphlet is a collection of ‘best practice’ responses to bullying of ASD students and the development of action plans for educators at all levels.

Bullyproof Your Child for Life. Joel Haber, $18.50

“Bully coach” Joel Haber is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the prevention of abusive and bullying behaviors in children. In Bullyproof Your Child for Life he delivers the strategies and tools that parents and children need to stamp out bullying behavior for good.

Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully. Audrey Penn, illustrated by Barbara Gibson, $18.95

Chester Raccoon learns how to turn a bully into a friend.

Scarcely a day goes by without reports of school bullying or recommendations for quick fixes to the problem. Parents and educators are often left trying to solve a difficult issue without sufficient evidence to support suggested remedies. Children and Bullying is a vital resource in the quest to create safe learning environments. Drawing on a wealth of research, Ken Rigby provides clear explanations and effective strategies for combating bullying among children and preventing children from becoming involved in bullying situations:

• Offers a collaborative approach to the school-based bullying problem
• Emphasizes the crucial role student bystanders can play in countering bullying, and how to promote positive bystander behaviors
• Examines contentious research, such as the role genetics or parenting in early childhood may play in creating bullies and victims
• Answers to FAQs by parents in the final chapter are often controversial but intended to stimulate thought

Cool, Calm, and Confident: a Workbook to Help Kids Learn Assertiveness Skills. Lisa Schab, $19.95

“Self-assured, assertive kids are not only less likely to be picked on by their peers, they're also less likely to bully others. But it's not always easy for children to find a healthy middle ground between passivity and aggression. If your child is a frequent target for bullies, or has begun to tease and take advantage of other kids, the easy and effective activities in Cool, Calm, and Confident can help. These simple exercises help children stand up for themselves without coming across as aggressive, learn to be both kind and assertive, and develop self-confidence and a positive self-image. Using this workbook is an easy and effective way to instill self-esteem in both passive and aggressive children, a strength that will prove invaluable in childhood, in their teenage years, and throughout their lives.”

Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats: Responding to the Challenge of Online Social Aggression, Threats, and Distress. Nancy Willard, $43.95

“This valuable resource provides school counselors, administrators, and teachers with cutting-edge information on how to prevent and respond to cyberbullying and cyberthreats. It addresses real-life situations that often occur as students embrace the Internet and other digital technologies … The book provides detailed guidelines for managing in-school use of the Internet and personal digital devices, including cell phones. Appendices contain reproducible forms for assessment, planning, and intervention, as well as detailed student and parent guides.”

Cyber-Bullying: Issues and Solutions for the School, the Classroom and the Home. Shaheen Shariff, $43.95

“Cyber-bullying is expanding with the use of modern technology — home computers and personal mobile phones — and provides youth with ‘an arsenal of weapons for social cruelty’. Addressing the policy vacuum relating to the boundaries of on-line supervision through informed guidelines for school administrators, teachers, parents and policy-makers, this book will help all stakeholders navigate the emerging challenges relating to student freedom of expression, privacy, safety and discipline in cyber-space.”

Cyber.Rules: What You Really Need to Know about the Internet. Joanie Farley Gillispie & Jayne Gackenbach, $30.00

This guide for clinicians, educators and parents leads the reader through the tricky and fast-changing terrain of the Internet, offering practical and valuable advice for working with a complex issue.

Fighting: Deal with It without Coming to Blows. Elaine Slavens & Steven Murray, $12.95

Racism: Deal with It Before It gets Under Your Skin. Anne Marie Aikins & Steven Murray, $12.95

Gossip: Deal with It Before Word Gets Around. Catherine Rondina & Dan Workman, $12.95

Bullying: Deal with It Before Push Comes to Shove. Elaine Slavens & Brooke Kerrigan, $12.95

Arguing: Deal with It Word by Word. Elaine Slavens & Steven Murray, $12.95

Girls Against Girls: Why We are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change. Bonnie Burton, $16.95

Most girls have been gossiped about, ignored, teased, taunted online, or even threatened by other girls. And if you do some real soul-searching, you may realize that you too have been the “mean girl” at times. But why do girls act this way? And what can they do about it?

Girl Games: Five Fun Card Games for Girls Grades 5-12 That Teach Important Social Skills. Trice Black, $24.95

The 5 games in this colourful deck are fun and easy to play. Cards include different topics with thought-provoking questions that can help facilitate meaningful discussions. Each card game focuses on one aspect of bullying or relational aggression such as:

Respect, Safety, Lying, Gossip, Bullying, Rumors, Self-Improvement, Body Image, Pride, Emotions & Communication, Conflicts, Listening, Patience and more …

How to Tame a Bully. Nancy Wilcox Richards, $5.99 (ages 6 to 10)

Lauren is looking forward to grade three — her best friend is in her class and they have the BEST teacher in the school, Ms. MacCarthur!

But then her luck changes — the biggest bully in the school is Bethany, who picks a seat right next to her. For weeks, school is no fun at all, until Lauren figures out how to tame this bully.

Jake Drake, Bully Buster. Andrew Clements, $4.99

Jake has to use all his smarts — and his heart as well — to turn himself from Jake Drake Bully Magnet, into Jake Drake, Bully Buster.

Jay McGraw’s Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies. Jay McGraw, $19.99 (ages 9-11); Audiobook CD $23.50

This no-nonsense approach to bullying helps kids with the tools they need to take back the power in their lives. Whether it’s physical, verbal, relationship or cyber bullying, this book will help school-age kids identify ways to help themselves and others.

The Kids’ Guide to Working Out Conflicts: How to Keep Cool, Stay Safe and Get Along. Naomi Drew, $17.95 (10-15); Leader’s Guide, $28.95

"From taunts and teasing to physical assault, many kids face difficult, even dangerous situations at school, at home, and in the community. How can they avoid conflict and defuse tough situations? Written by a well-known expert on conflict resolution and peacemaking, incorporating the results of a nationwide survey of kids ages 10-15, this book offers practical, realistic answers. Author Naomi Drew describes common forms of conflict, the reasons behind conflicts, and positive ways to deal with difficult circumstances. Through self-tests and exercises, young people discover whether they are conflict-solvers or conflict-makers. They learn how to stand up for themselves without getting physical, and how to deal with people who don't want to resolve conflicts in a peaceful way." Includes tips for:

• countering bullying
• calming down, lessening stress and tension
• letting go of anger and resentment
• eliminating put-downs and other hurtful language

Letters to a Bullied Girl: Messages of Healing and Hope. Olivia Gardner, Emily Buder & Sarah Buder, $16.25

Olivia Gardner, a northern California teenager, was severely taunted and cyber-bullied by her classmates for more than two years. News of her bullying spread, eventually reaching two teenage girls from a neighboring town, sisters Emily and Sarah Buder. The girls were so moved by Olivia's story that they initiated a letter-writing campaign to help lift her spirits. It was a tender gesture of solidarity that set off an overwhelming chain reaction of support, encouragement, and love.

In Letters to a Bullied Girl, Olivia and the Buder sisters share an inspiring selection of messages that arrived from across America—the personal, often painful remembrances of former targets, remorseful bullies, and sympathetic bystanders. Though addressed to Olivia, the letters speak to all young people who have been bullied, offer advice and hope to those who suffer, and provide a wake-up call to all who have ever been involved in bullying.

Please Stop Laughing at Us: One Survivor’s Extraordinary Quest to Prevent School Bullying. Jodee Blanco, $16.95

“A sequel to The New York Times bestselling memoir, Please Stop Laughing at Me¸ this groundbreaking investigation walks down the hallways of today’s schools to find realistic solutions to the serious problem of bullying. Exposing weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the educational system, this vital social critique shows how to help both bullies and victims change for the better, why traditional punishment is counter-productive, how to inspire compassion in the classroom, and how to discipline a child in ways that benefit self-esteem.”

Also available: Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman’s Inspirational Story. Jodee Blanco, $14.25

Protect Your Child from Bullying: Expert Advice to Help You Recognize, Prevent, and Stop Bullying Before Your Child Gets Hurt. Allan Beane, $15.99

From cyber-bullying to "mean girls" to school shootings — bullying is a complex and frightening problem confronting parents and children of all ages. This invaluable guide explains the many ways that bullying can present itself, the harm it can do to your child if ignored, and most importantly, what you can do to protect your child. Help your child develop a strong sense of acceptance and belonging and create a safe and healthy environment for them at home, play and school.

Ryan Respects. Virginia Kroll, illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye, $18.95

Ryan is fast like a cheetah, but his friend Doug is not. After they get timed in gym, Doug comes in behind everyone else. “Doug the Slug,” chants Ryan and he gets a lot of laughs. Doug is upset but Ryan doesn’t notice. What has to happen for Ryan to realize he has hurt his friend’s feelings? This new title in The Way I Act series uses a common situation to talk about respect.

Safe Kids, Safe Families. Samantha Wilson, $19.95

Today’s kids and teens, despite being seemingly street smart and Internet savvy, are vulnerable to a frightening range of dangerous situations. How do we keep them safe, yet still allow their independence and confidence to grow? Author Samantha Wilson is a mother; the founder of Kidproof Canada and is a former police officer with specialized training in crimes against children. Safe Kids, Safe Families offers timely advice on:

• How to make the right choice
• Discerning perceived danger from the real thing
• Learning how to trust your instincts
• Teaching kids to avoid becoming a victim in the chat room, the school yard or the mall
• How to "read" your teens' friendships for potential unsafe behaviour

The Schoolyard Bully: How to Cope with Conflict and Raise an Assertive Child, Kim Zarzour, $18.00

One of the best books available on the subject for Canadian parents, The Schoolyard Bully is fully revised and updated from the 1994 edition. "Zarzour offers practical suggestions to stop the cycle of bullying along with invaluable advice on raising a child who can meet intimidating circumstances with self-confidence and maturity -- one who knows how to be assertive in our increasingly aggressive world." She writes: "Bullying is not something that children grow out of"... "that the damage is devastating and long lasting... both victims and bullies need help..." and that "one in three schoolchildren may be involved at any one time."
 
The author's approach is designed to respond to the needs of both sides of the bullying equation. Chapter headings include: The Nature of Bullying, Understanding the Bully, Helping the Bully, Understanding the Victim, Helping the Victim -- The Parents' Role, and Helping the Victim -- The Role of School's Role. There is a bibliography, a list of resource groups and a recommended reading list.

Sex, Power & the Violent School Girl. Sibylle Artz, $29.95

In Sex, Power & the Violent School Girl, author Sibylle Artz looks at the disturbing phenomenon of violence among teenage girls. Her assertion that it must be understood in the context of other gender issues and girls' sense of powerlessness is vividly explored in six case studies. This is a fascinating glimpse into a troubled world and a clear call for action.

We Want You to Know: Kids Talk About Bullying. Deborah Ellis, $21.95

Through her association with a community anti-bullying campaign launched in Haldimand, Norfolk, and neighboring communities in Southern Ontario, children’s author Deborah Ellis asked students from the ages of nine to nineteen to talk about their experiences with bullying. The results are thoughtful, candid, and often harrowing accounts of “business as usual” in and around today’s schools. The kids in this book raise questions about the way parents, teachers, and school administrators cope with bullies. They talk about which methods have helped and which ones, with the best of intentions, have failed to protect them. And some kids reveal how they have been able to overcome their fear and anger to become strong advocates for the rights of others.

This is a book for reading and sharing. Each interview is followed by questions that will encourage open discussion about the nature of bullying and the ways in which individuals and schools could deal more effectively with bullies and their victims. And additional comments from international students reveal how much kids the world over have in common in the way they experience and deal with bullies. 

These kids have something to say. It’s time we listened.

Why Good Kids Act Cruel: the Hidden Truth about the Pre-Teen Years. Carl Pickhardt, $17.95

Why Good Kids Act Cruel gives parents the tools they need to understand why cruelty happens at this age and how to help their child through this difficult stage. This highly informative and useful book explains the psychology of early adolescent change, the short and long term effects of social cruelty, what parents can do, what the school can do, and much more.