Bullies

I wanted to include one more book for National Bully Prevention Month.  The book I am going to share today is about a mean bully who has a change of heart.

In Toestomper and the Caterpillars by Sharleen Callicott, Toestomper is the town bully.  He and his gang of friends are always picking on the little caterpillars.  He and his friends even destroy their homes.  Since the caterpillars have no where else to go, they begin to follow Toestomper around.  He tries everything to get rid of them.  He yells at them and is mean to them but they will not leave.  Eventually, the caterpillars begin to grow on Toestomper.  He notices that they are cold and invites them into his own hut.  He even begins to like them.  Toestomper begins to take care of an help the caterpillars.  He has a total change of heart, but his friends have not.  They do not like this new Toestomper because all "he cares about is those dumb caterpillars."  They decide to tie Toestomper to a tree and feed the caterpillars to the birds.  In the end the caterpillars are saved and everyone learns to get a long and be friends.

Kids love everything from the characters to the pictures to the dialogue and mostly the message that it's okay to stand up for what you believe in and the people that you love, even if your friends might not like it at first!

Take time this month to tell the story of Toestomper to a child in your life.  Then talk about how Toestomper changed and why.   Be sure to emphasize the importance of kindness and treating others with respect!

Happy Reading!
Laura