Stand Down, Bullies: Becoming a Friend and Overcoming Being a Bully (Help Me Become, 6)

STAND DOWN, BULLIES

Three stories guide young readers to make good decisions when tempted to bullies others in this helpful character education resource, starring children from the MVP Kids – includes Think and Talk About It sections for parents & educators.

Stand Down Bullies stories start when Ezekiel is sent home early from book club for aggressive behavior that stems from unresolved emotional issues. Blake unintentionally does some sibling-bullying against his little sister during summer break; Sarah ends up in the principal office after being peer-pressured into bullying other children on the playground. Inspired by her mother, Sarah uses kindness to stop bullying. Each story features healthy interactions with parents as a resource for talking about bullies.

This diverse book features a range of families and diversity in positive ways. The MVP Kids span diverse cultures, ethnicities, religions, family situations, physical challenges, education, and professions. Some are the only child in their family; others have large families. Some are recent immigrants; others date back to the Pilgrims. The diversity allows children to see themselves in the pages of the book while also seeing positive interaction with others who are different.

The very-real emotions behind bullying behavior are highlighted, and the family discussions in the text remind young readers how character traits are built over time and with help, too.

About S.T.A.N.D. mini-series!

The character traits imparted by STAND (Stand tall, Tell an adult, Act bravely, Notice your surroundings, Display kindness) kids include: confidence builders; reminders about informing grown-ups about certain situations; practical advice for situational awareness; and a reminder to never bully or react to bullies in ways that make you angry or hurtful. Young readers will recognize the traits reinforced in each story. Each book recaps the STAND pledge, making it easy to share in co-reading or group discussion. The pledge relates to how the stories end in different ways with some bullies reformed and others not and school leaders contacted as a way to help and more.

1. STAND Up to Bullies: help kids who are bullied by others

2. STAND Together Against Bullying: inspire children to be upstanders instead of bystanders

3. STAND Down Bullies: teaches empathy and kindness to kids who exhibit and struggle with bullying behaviors

About the Help Me Become series

The Help Me Become series hardcover and paperback books are for children ages 4-10. Help Me Become promotes character growth: from dealing with real-life social situations like bullying and bad sportsmanship to promoting character education traits like keeping a promise, being responsible, being truthful, and more. Each title in the series features three stories starring MVP Kids and includes a Think & Talk About It section for coaching parents & educators.

About MVP Kids

Families with a diverse range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds drive the inspiration for child education and social emotional learning. MVP Kids enables real-world kids in addressing the challenges in their lives through story based character lessons where the kids interact at school, social situations and in their communities. MVP Kids board books enrich preschool readers; hardcovers and paperbacks focus on school-agers. Each MVP Kids book includes extensive coaching information for parents and educators guidance in promoting character education, including social and emotional learning.