Bullying -- Helping Children Through Books

Is there anyone who has never, ever been bullied? Even just a tiny bit? It is safe to assume that everyone has experienced the "humiliation" of being bullied at one point in their lives. On the playground. In the classroom. By siblings or peers. Bullying has been around it seems since people have begun recording history. It's even in the Bible isn't it? The snake bullied Eve into eating the apple and in turn she bullied Adam. Okay, that might be a stretch but the point is every generation has witnessed bullying in their lifetime. However it seems that this generation is experiencing bullying in a whole new way then perhaps their own parents did as children. There are many ways that it is different and quite frankly thank goodness for authors who have provided librarians with resources to help children and their parents deal with this all too painful problem of childhood. Before any adult goes off and exclaims that we are pampering children when it comes to this topic, there are several thins to consider. Picture this scenario. A girl is walking home from school on a cold winter's day. There are a group of children walking behind her laughing and making comments about her hat. One girl whispers to another, they give each other a glance and it happens. One is ready with their smart phone to take a picture of the accomplice coming up from behind the inspecting girl and grabs her hat. This "surprise" causes the girl to lose her balance and she ends up falling on the sidewalk with her books flying everywhere. The picture is taken at the right moment and sent to a group of kids from their class. The picture goes semi-viral where almost the entire school has seen the picture and laughed at the girl's expense. The girl who was bullied is mortified. She doesn't want to go to school to face the laughter. Sounds like something that could happen in a made for tv movie? Yes, it could very well be but the reality is this is what bullying is like for today's children. One of the best way to help children deal with bullying is to talk about the problem. One step further, there are three wonderfully books that can help start the discussion. First, for the younger reader One by Kathryn Otoshi is reminiscent of Little Blue, Little Yellow by Leo Lionni. It is a book about quiet little blue who teaches all the other colors that differences among each other is good and it only takes one to say something to make a difference. Great story about acceptance without hitting the reader over the head without being preachy. Second, for the little older child who is in elementary school, Patricia Polacco's book Bully is a contemporary portraying the reality of how Facebook can be a tool to aid in bullying. Children will be able to relate to how two friends can be separated when one makes the cheerleading squad and the other does not. Lyla, the heroine of the story, demonstrates how true friends stand up against bullying by standing by their friends. It's a classic tale that helps the reader to see how it is possible to do the right thing even when peer pressure says differently. Third, perhaps the best book, is by Jerry Spinelli. Loser is also known as Zinkoff. However, Zinkoff does not know his other name nor does he pay attention to what all the other kids say. He is the typical character in a Spinelli's novels, quirky, fun and different. It's Spinelli's specialty. From the reader's point of view, Zinkoff is someone they can relate to. Either it's someone they know at school or they might even see themselves in this character. The best lesson from this book is that every Loser has the potential to change their name to Hero. There are many more wonderful books but these are the best of the best. If looking for a concise list of books about bullying drop an email to lvnlibrarian@yahoo.com.

Summer Reading Program: One Story One World and America's Melting Pot

The them One world, One Story is perfect to highlight America's colorful and diverse history. In almost every American family, there are stories of great-grandpas, grandparents or parents who immigrated to the United States to pursue a better life. America is unique in it's identity around the world as the "melting pot". It is something to be quite proud of and not to be taken for granted or lightly. when children come to your library this summer offer them the opportunity to explore their family's heritage with books. If working with older children bookmark www.ellisisland.org on the public computers to encourage them to visit the famous Ellis Island. There they can search the records for their ancestors names or learn about how this Island was the first stop in the immigrants journey to America.

Many children's authors have attempted to depict the immigrant experience in America. The tales often take a look at the difference between their own and America's culture. At times it can be humorous and sometimes the reality of "homesickness" is shown so vividly the reader's understand with the characters' loneliness. When sharing these books, it is important to emphasize that all though the story may be fiction, the feelings that some of the characters feel are based on reality.

Librarians can use the immigration in a storytime program. A good ingredient to a memorable storytime is props. For this theme, have a black pot sitting in the front of the room. As the children arrive, have them choose a country's flag that represents their heritage. When the program begins, call off different countries and ask the children to place the flag in the "melting pot." After all the flags are collected, distract the children with music and a game. Then with a bit of magic (or as magician say "slight of hand") to replace the melting pot with a new pot. At the end of storytime, tell the children you will empty the pot and let them come up to get a flag. Lo and Behold! All the countries' flags are gone and now they are all American flags! Another approach to take is as the program begins, ask the children to close their eyes for a moment. Instruct them to imagine they are on a boat, as the boat is starting to pull away from the dock, they are waving goodbye to friends and families that they may never see again. How would they feel? Next, inform them on how many days it would take to cross the Atlantic to get to New York's Ellis Island. (Usually it took about a week) Hold up a picture of the Statue of Liberty and explain that this was the first sign of "hope" that many of the immigrants saw as they entered New York's harbor. Ask the children again, how do they think the immigrants felt when they knew they were going to start a new life in a new country? if this sounds too much like school for the summer time, then invite the grandparents to come to the storytime. It's a perfect time for a "generational program" and grandparents can share their own stories with their grandchild. Who could resist an opportunity like that? As an added bonus why not dedicate a bulletin board to showcase the grandparent and child's heritage and an old family photo of life in the old country versus life in the new country.

Whether reading the books aloud or providing a bibliographic handouts for patrons to take home, here are a few titles that tell the immigrant story well.

When I First Came To This Land Harriet Ziefert

The Name Jar Choi Yangsook

Chicken Sunday Patricia Palacco

Picnic In October Eve Bunting (This is title deals specifically with Ellis Island and The Sateu of Liberty.)

How I Learned Geography Uri Shulevitz

For a complete annotated list of great picture books on Immigration to the United States, just send an email to lvnlibrarian@gmail.com. Stay tuned, there are many more ideas yet to come for this summer.