Bullying is an issue which affects most of us at some stage in our lives - and not necessarily only at school. Tackling bullying requires careful and sensitive handling in order not to aggravate the problem. The following books look at some of the many forms bullying can take, the possible repercussions and some of the ways in which it can be addressed.
Hugo and the Bully Frogs by Francesca Simon and Caroline Jayne Church (David and Charles, £4.99, 3-7) is a gentle, light-hearted tale, suggesting that neither suffering in silence nor physical retaliation need be the only options. The bully frogs' victim is Hugo, a small frog - with a proportionately small croak. Following some sage advice from a judicious duck, however, Hugo discovers a new talent (for quacking!) which proves enough to send his surprised bullies packing.
A tendency to bully is often a sign that the bully has insecurities of his or her own. In Bullysaurus Under The Sea (Damon Burnard, Hodder, £3.50, 6+), harmonious island life is shattered by the arrival of a large, noisy dinosaur. In this case, it becomes apparent that the bully just needs to be urged to explore other ways of using his particular skills, in order for peace to be restored.
Physical attributes often provide bullies with ammunition. In Elizabeth Laird's Secret Friends (Hodder, £1.99, 8-11), Rafaella's prominent ears are the cause of her unhappiness, and lead to tragic consequences. Picked on by the rest of the school, only one girl is willing to be friends with Rafaella, and only if they keep it a secret. It is moving and well illustrated and offers a painful reminder that the possible impact of mindless "teasing" should never be underestimated.
Bullies generally target those who are smaller, weaker, less confident - or just plain different. In Stiks and Stoans by Andrew Matthews (Mammoth, £4.99, 9+), the victim is dyslexic and overweight. Ella's increasing unhappiness at the hands of a group of schoolboys is described through diary entries, interspersed with narration by Liam, a new boy at school. Liam's situation illustrates just how easy it is to ignore bullying, or even join in, to safeguard one's own acceptance by one's peers.
It is a sad fact that a bully can find almost any excuse to single out a potential victim. What's Your Problem? (Sherry Ashworth, Livewire, £4.99, 11+) provides a terrifying reminder of just how little ammunition a proficient bully needs. Jac is a confident teenager in the middle of her GCSEs when she has to move schools. Her public school history provides the initial material for ringleader Lisa, but this is then followed by the sort of general "bitchiness" at which teenage girls really excel. Jac's self-confidence and happiness gradually crumble as the cruelty intensifies, until she is finally forced to take action and stand up to the bully.
Finally, on the non-fiction front, Rosemary Stones' Don't Pick On Me (Piccadilly, £5.99, 7-12) provides plenty of valuable material for understanding and handling bullying. It could prove helpful for use with almost any age.
• For a full list of books on bullying call Book Trust on 0906 5161193 (calls cost £1.50 a minute). If you are being bullied, Childline (0800 1111) is a freephone number and open 24 hours a day.
