Everyday, Scott takes his bear, Buttons, with him to school. He needs his bear to help him feel brave because of Duncan. Duncan is a bully and is always mean to Scott. It’s only Wednesday and already this week Duncan has called Scott names, ripped up his work and stolen his chocolate bar. Buttons has mysteriously vanished too. Without Buttons, Scott needs to find his inner brave. Can he do it? Will he stop Duncan and his bullying ways?
School can be difficult for lots of reasons and one of those can be because a particular child goes out of their way to be mean and spiteful to others. In this story, Duncan is that boy, Scott is the one that is the recipient of all of Duncan’s meanness and Scott’s bear, Buttons, is the one that helps him feel brave.
I was bullied at school and know just how valuable a book like this could have been, both to me and the rest of my class. Young children need stories that address real issues and this one does it perfectly. Completely relatable, whichever side of a bullying incident children have found themselves on, A Boy, His Bear and a Bully will help them to understand, to notice and to empathise with bullying and to know that it is not OK.
Gently addressing bullying, the story hones in on the problems that some children face and the importance of speaking out. All children will feel empowered to deal with bullies after seeing Scott stand up to Duncan and observing how Rosie is courageous enough to report Duncan to an adult who immediately deals with the situation. Whilst not all bullying issues will be resolved this easily, it is essential that children never feel that they have to accept bullying and that they know that there are adults who can help deal with the situation. By the end of this story, the bully has acknowledged his wrong-doings and apologised for his actions. Rather than an ending filled with animosity, there is the possibility of a new friendship as Scott and Rosie ponder if they will ever be friends with Duncan.
A read that will generate much discussion and a brilliant conversation starter for addressing bullying. Will hopefully support all children in finding their inner brave. With huge thanks to EK Books for this important story. Recommended for 4+.
1 Comment
6/10/2021 10:46:56 am
Thank you for this review.
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