Literature and bullying

Proposals for better living together

This book is based on the idea that reading is an essential factor for the personal and social development of children. The stories we read in books are a source of information and entertainment that generates social values. Beliefs bring us closer to the knowledge of the world and the circumstances of our personal and social relationships, in the different situations we live in.

Stories can become a useful strategy to make certain social issues visible and can help us in our socio-educational interventions.

This book presents elements of protection against bullying. Twenty works of children’s and youth literature have been selected and, although they do not deal directly with the issue of violence in the classroom, they do allow, however, numerous proposals and activities for socio-educational intervention against bullying.

The titles have been categorized by age, and the design and structure of the activities emphasize the skills and values that the stories offer. This facilitates the task of reading mediators, both teachers and families.

The purpose of this book is to help educators improve their knowledge, master strategies and have adequate materials to carry out effective socio-educational interventions for the prevention of bullying.

The authors of the book –Santiago Yubero, Elisa Larrañaga, Raúl Navarro and Sandra Sánchez-García– are members of a team of researchers and experts in the field of psychology, education and reading, and are part of the multidisciplinary team of the Center for Studies for the Promotion of Reading (CEPLI) of the University of Castilla-La Mancha. His concern to transmit the results of his research to practical education has been his motivation to develop these teaching materials for the prevention of bullying behaviors from reading.

1. PRESENTATION. Reading against bullying

1. Bullying

Concept, causes, consequences, types and associated factors

2. Protective factors against bullying

How bullying affects and ways to deal with it: self-concept, self-efficacy, social support, family communication and socio-emotional skills.

3. Reading as a socio-educational intervention strategy

Encourage the pleasure of reading by enjoying reading. Educational intervention against conflicts. Representation of bullying in children’s and youth literature. Bullying prevention through reading

4. Suggested readings and activities

Structure and design of activities

5. Early readers (5-7 years old)

The smallest girl in the Smallest Grade. Oliver Button is a sissy. The invisible ones. Nadarin. Screaming mom. You can’t play today. Golden Nose.

6. Intermediate readers (8-12 years old)

Jim Button and Luke the Engine-driver. Do you want to be my friend? Empty. The mountain’s witch. What is wrong with Nicholas?

7. Advanced readers (+ 13 years old)

Three. Bird girl. Smile. The boy in the striped pajamas. Invisible.