Kids and Teen Blog
Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
by Chelsea
Kids + Picture Books / August 12, 2013
Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger is one of those rare picture books that creates a meaningful, emotive story with just a few simple words and illustrations. Kids of all ages will empathize with the characters and learn that it’s better to be a friend, not a bully.
First, Bully the Bull is yelled at in the barnyard by an older bull. Instead of seeking friendship, he goes on to treat the other farm animals in the exact same way. “BUZZ OFF!” he yells at the bee; “YOU STINK!” he says to the skunk. He grows in size all the while, inflated by the false sense of being bigger than everyone else. Finally, Bully is forced to look at himself and realize what he really is: just a big, mean bully. That’s when Bully shrinks down to his normal size and apologizes to his friends.
Bullying is a destructive cycle that can be hard to stop without empathy for those involved. In only 36 pages and 22 words, Seeger shows us why people start bullying others, why it makes them feel good, the negative effect it has on themselves and everyone else, and the healing power of friendship.
