Bully-Free Future

A Boy's Best Friend

As the author of three award-winning kids books that deal subtlely-some say not so subtlely-with promoting acceptance and respect of others to prevent bullying, I am always on the look out for other books that pack a wallop!   And A Boy’s Best Friend by Joan Alden is a big book in a small package! 

The main character, a nearly seven year-old boy named Will dreams of having a dog.  Unfortunately, he suffers from asthma, making living with a  dog out of the question.  His mother and her partner, Jeanine give him a stuffed dog which the boy falls in love with.  Will and the dog go everywhere and do everything together.  One day on the bus, some of the other children tease him about his attachment to the dog and Will’s penchant for treating the stuffed toy like a real dog by taking him to the park to ‘meet’ other dogs.- To make matters worse, the children throw Will’s beloved pet into a tree.  

When it falls into his arms when he calls the dog’s name, Will is even more convinced the dog is real and the children taunt him all the      more. When will tells the story about the teasing and the dog in the tree to his mother and her partner, his mother responds with the best line in the book, “Everyone is different.  When you don’t mind your differences they stop being a problem and become your distinction.”

It is also interesting how the author deals with the family’s structure.  It is handled well in both the text and illustrations, without any stereotyping.   Coupled with the handling of differences and living with asthma, this little book packs a big message-in a way that  all kids can relate to.

Bully prevention starts with empowering kids to respect and celebrate all cultures, choices and ‘abilities’.  Sometimes it is easier to share a story that resonates with kids in order to make your point.  And books like A Boy’s Best Friend certainly fit the bill.

When you choose books for kids keep in  mind that they learn a lot about the world from the books they read-or have read to them.  Just ask anyone who is waiting for Prince-or Princess Charming!

What books do you love for your kids?  What are the back stories?  How do you use them to confront difficult or uncomfortable topics.

With Respect,

Deb

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