Best Picture Books About Bullying (2026): 5 Picks Compared

When a child comes home upset about teasing at school, the best picture books about bullying give parents and teachers a calm way to start the conversation. This list compares picture books by reading age, grade level, page count and series.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Juice Box Bully by Sornson	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Weird! by Frankel	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	I Choose to Speak Up by Estrada	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Bully Goat by Dewdney	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Bully Shark by Diesen	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Juice Box Bully by Sornson

Bob Sornson·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A new boy learns to stand up for others with help from classmates.

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Pros

• Teaches bystanders to act instead of watching
• Reading age 5 to 9 years and grade level Preschool to 5
• 32 pages suit a single read aloud

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• The 2010 edition is the oldest pick here
• No series companions are stated

2

Weird! by Frankel

Erin Frankel·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A third grader teased for being herself finds her voice again with adult support.

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Pros

• Shows bullying from the targeted child's view
• Book 1 of 3, so two companion stories follow
• 48 pages give the story more room

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Teasing and name calling are central to the story
• First edition from July 24, 2013

3

I Choose to Speak Up by Estrada

Elizabeth Estrada·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A rhyming story giving children three responses to bullying.

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Pros

• Names three clear responses a child can practise
• Rhyming verses and colorful illustrations suit read aloud sessions
• Book 6 of 18 in a social emotional learning series

Cons

• No grade level is stated in the listing
• Discrimination and harassment themes may need a preview
• Book 6 of 18 sits mid-series

4

Bully Goat by Dewdney

Anna Dewdney·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A young llama learns to walk away and tell someone when a classmate teases him.

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Pros

• Gives a simple two-step response: walk away and tell someone
• 40 pages suit the youngest readers
• Teacher guidance helps adults talk about name calling

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• No grade level is stated in the listing
• First edition from August 6, 2013

5

Bully Shark by Diesen

Deborah Diesen·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A small fish rallies his friends to show a misbehaving shark that bullying is wrong.

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Pros

• Shows a whole community standing together
• 32 pages suit short read aloud sessions
• Illustrated edition from September 10, 2019

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• No grade level is stated in the listing
• Part of a long series with established characters

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More picks to compare

• Tease Monster by CookFor readers learning the difference between friendly teasing and mean teasing.Check on Amazon
• Walk Tall by JonesFor young readers who like a rhyming story about finding real friends.Check on Amazon
• Nobody Knew What to Do by McCainFor readers who want a story about telling a teacher about bullying.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents, value, and the listed age or level. All five picks list a reading age, and two also list a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about bullying

Match the reading age and grade level together

The Juice Box Bully lists 5 to 9 years and Preschool to 5, while Weird! lists 6 to 8 years and Kindergarten to 4. Note whether the age is marked as from customers. For older readers, middle grade books and young adult books follow.

Pick a standalone story or a series start

Weird! is Book 1 of 3, so a reader who likes it has two companion stories. I Choose to Speak Up is Book 6 of 18.

Check the edition and page count

Page counts run from 32 pages to 48 pages. The Juice Box Bully is a 2010 edition, so check the listing for the current printing.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date on the listing.
• Check which book of a series comes first.
• Check the listed reading age against the reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are picture books about bullying for?

Reading ages here run from 1 to 5 years to 4 to 10 years.

Which book helps a child who sees bullying happen?

The Juice Box Bully focuses on classmates who stop being bystanders, and I Choose to Speak Up gives three responses.

Should a parent read the book first?

A quick preview helps when a story names teasing, discrimination or harassment.

Still deciding? Our top pickJuice Box Bully by Sornson

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens books lists.

More lists: browse middle grade books, young adult books and picture books.