When Kindness Is Lacking: Facing a Bully

My previous post shared some outstanding picture books about kindness, each featuring young characters who chose to notice, to consider the feelings of others, and to ACT in positive ways. The lead character in each offers realistic examples of the power a single person can wield to make other lives better. 
Empathy is innate, according to some recent studies. (Check out an easy-to-read-and-uplifting report on one study HERE.) It's pretty obvious that encouraging those natural tendencies, modeling intentional kindness, and discussing books like the ones featured  (and others) will foster those human, humane tendencies in young people. It's also pretty obvious that our world would be a better place if all humans of every age displayed those humane, empathetic patterns in daily life. Sadly, it's more than obvious that some people, young and otherwise, have lost or repressed their natural empathetic tendencies to varying degrees. Some not only ignore others in need or pain, instead actively causing others physical or emotional pain.
That's not true of MOST PEOPLE, a truth that is comfortingly presented in Michael Leannah's book, discussed in this previous post. 
And yet...
Even a single bully can cause others to feel fear, depression, or even lead to suicide or violence. There are countless picture books on this subject used by parents, teachers, and others. Some are featured HERE. As a teacher I've shared many of the recommended titles, and as a blogger I've reviewed a few, HERE. 

Owlkids Book, Inc. 2018

This post  will shine a well-deserved spotlight on a recently released picture book, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT , written by Susan Hughes and illustrated by Carey Sookocheff. On the face of it, so to speak, it merits our attention for its powerful cover. The dull-gray tones, simple line drawings, and obvious situation makes the subject matter evident. In case there's any doubt, the back cover reveals an explicit scene: an intentionally side-eyed mean-girl is bullying a slump-shouldered and sad-eyed boy. The simplified line art and body postures, including that of the bystanding girls on the cover, reveal a universal bullying situation. 
In a sense, this stark approach is counterintuitive, lacking the spontaneous appeal of bright colors, charming animal characters, or other enticements to open and read on about an important topic. Instead, this book declares its topic before a single page is turned. The title suggests a powerful dramatic tension, suggesting escalating meanness and/or a full-out confrontation. 
Neither is the case. Nor does the book unfold in traditional text form. Instead, the unnamed narrator controls the story in unique, script-like format:
"Why I Don't Want to Go to School Today:
Bully B.
What Bully B Does at School Today:
Blocks my way.
Asks me questions that aren't really questions, like: 'Why are you so weird?'
What Her Friends Do:
Laugh.
What Everyone Else Does:
Nothing."

From that first page, the bullied boy struggles with hiding his situation from his mom, seeking comfort in his books and from his unconditionally loving and sensitive dog. One day his mom reads his face rather than his answer about how his day was ("fine"). Together they spend time in simple ways, experiencing comfort and fun together. Then his mom gently leads a conversation about bullies, options, and potential resolutions. This is all revealed in that same child-controlled monologue. The transitions leading to a resolution are entirely realistic, providing a template for others to use in similar circumstances while thoroughly  reinforcing the character of a quirky (not weird) boy and a compelling story.

I do have a few concerns about this outstanding picture book. The line drawings are a bit of a double-edged sword. Throughout page after page of  dull-toned spreads, the boy is washed from head to toe in pale blue and the girl in green. That may avoid racial identity, but the straight-hair, straight-featuered characters read very Caucasian to me. In the final spread each character, including some incidental classmates, are colored in traditional ways (clothing, hair, backpacks, etc.) and one boy is a person of color. I realize the intentional symbolism of the narrator's perceptions regarding his worldview until the problem is resolved, but I hope it is discussed with young readers as intentional.  On the plus side, the majority of "bullies" in picture books are males (or "male-types"), so this female antagonist is a welcome dose of reality. 

Here's hoping you'll get your hands on these books and share them widely. Can we really live with the fact that humans are BORN with the right instincts and the adults (or screen images) in their lives are not actively strengthening and supporting those instincts? I can't.

MOST PEOPLE... Are Good People (Plus Author Interview)

How do you feel about that blog title? Do you agree? There's no doubt that our world, our country, our individual communities include some people who SHOULD not, CANNOT be trusted. This post is not meant to suggest that there are "fine people" in every group, an assertion recently (and wrongly) declared about groups that actively espouse hatred, violence, and evil intents.

Tilbury House Publishers, 2017

In his debut picture book release, MOST PEOPLE, author Michael Leannah's reassuring text pairs with J. E. Morris's illustrations to present a strongly positive view of the people of the world. In doing so, they push back against the onslaught of daily news representing threats and violence.  Together they offer much-needed reassurance. 
Leannah's straightforward text and Morris's appealing illustrations showcase a diverse urban community, one presented as safe and welcoming. Individuals and families vary in age, skin color, cultural practices, daily pursuits, and style choices. Each page-turn reveals, and then confirms, that they share more in common than their differences might suggest. In fact, any assumptions "suggested" by their diverse appearances are those stemming from learned biases on the part of the readers.

Reality is inserted directly in brief text snippets about recognizable situations: bad language, lying, stealing, bullying, property damage, etc. Those are balanced by the image of a theoretical line of "people who do good" stretching out for miles while people "in the bad line" would fit in a dark and gloomy room. Proportionally, this is a fairly realistic ratio. I appreciate that in neither case are the people themselves labeled as "good" or "bad". In fact, reassurance is offered that "People who do bad things can change. There is a seed of goodness inside them waiting to sprout."

On first glance this upbeat view of humanity may feel a bit exaggerated, even utopian. That reaction is particularly likely from cynical adults. If your impulse is to dismiss the premise or argue that our world has become far more sinister than safe, perhaps you need this book every bit as much as the young children in your lives. 

Parents and teachers are obligated to inform young ones about our history, current events, real and present dangers, and moral responsibility in the face of great need or oppression. As I indicated in a recent post, here, we do children a disservice if we leave the impression that all "others" are in some way threatening or threatened, are more different than similar to us, are monolithic rather than individuals. Add this title to my earlier recommendations to present a balanced, wholistic, positive view of humans, near or far, familiar or exotic.

The author of MOST PEOPLE, Michael Leannah, agreed to answer a few questions about his debut picture book.

SB: Congratulations, Mike, and thanks for agreeing to share the story behind this story. MOST PEOPLE is very suited to recent national and world events. Can you share the “origin story” about what inspired you to write MOST PEOPLE and how it developed over time?

ML: It goes back fifteen years, at least, sometime after 9-11. I remember walking amidst children on the playground during recess. I had small children at home then, too. I didn’t want them—or myself—to be living in such fear. I wrote a few lines about most people being good and kind, wanting the same things: a good and happy life for their family and friends. Over the years I dabbled with it, but didn’t really put my nose to the grindstone until a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, there were many times when I found myself wishing it were finished, because something happened in the news that made the book’s message pertinent. Now that the book is out, people are telling me this is a good time for it, which is true, I suppose, but, sadly, there will probably always be a need for this message.

SB: I'm afraid that's true, and kids make us all the more aware of it. You have a long history working in  classrooms and libraries. But now that you are devoting more time to writing, do you work with a critique group? If so, how did you find like-minded writing partners and how did they help you shape this book and others.

ML: Over the years, I have belonged to various critique groups, and all have been helpful. I’ve been meeting monthly with my current group for about ten years now. We found each other through SCBWI, went to the same writing workshops, and attended classes together when they were offered. I would be lost without SCBWI. I can’t imagine life without my critique group.

Side note: SCBWI is the international professional organization for creators of books for children: SOCIETY OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS. I agree entirely with Mike's endorsement of SCBWI for anyone seriously hoping to produce work for readers 0-20 years of age.

 SB: Your text for MOST PEOPLE straddles that fine line between sounding didactic and conversational.  My own writing partners are my best defense against crossing over that line, readily pointing out when my text is “sounding too much like a teacher”. Were you concerned with achieving that balance? If so, how did you deal with that challenge?

ML: Being didactic gets us into trouble primarily when we explain things the reader already knows. Most People is meant to be instructional. Those who welcome its message—be they children or adults—do so because it reaffirms what they feel in their hearts. The book is most meaningful to people who, because of what they have heard on the news and elsewhere, have started to doubt those feelings in their hearts. So, yes, Most People teaches something and what it teaches isn’t anything new, but it works because it provides a bit of push-back against all the negativity out there.

SB: The illustrations have enormous depth and insight into your text, providing a familiar setting and visual narrative while offering a wealth of subtle detail and subplots among the various people portrayed.  What were your reactions when you first saw them?

ML: I loved them! And I’m convinced that ten different illustrators would have taken the story in ten different directions. What you see on the pages is nothing like what I envisioned as I wrote the story. I liked what I saw in my mind’s eye, but what Jennifer came up with is so much better. Some of those pictures could stand alone as pieces of art, in frames on the wall.

 SB: Can you tell us more about your other forthcoming picture books?

ML: Thanks for asking. Goodnight Whispers is similar to Most People in that it features unnamed characters focusing on an element of life to which we can all relate. They both are meant to inspire and motivate. Farmer Huckinshuck’s Wild Ride is very different, a goofball account of a farmer taking his animals for a ride into town. All three stories came to fruition at once. They’re like three children, all different, who you love very much.

SB: I'm guessing readers will love them, too. Thanks for sharing your time and insights with us here, and keep 'em coming!

MOST PEOPLE was featured along with other titles, old and new, that show kids "goodness in the world" via Readbrightly.com.

And let's never lose sight of or stop sharing the wisdom and guidelines offered by much-loved-and-missed Mr. Rogers: "Look for the helpers."

Poster via Reddit

Congratulations to Mike, whose debut picture book is among other titles for developing empathy as featured in the NEW YORK TIMES .