Hate Hurts

Educating yourself is the key if you are to ensure that your child doesn't become prejudiced and "Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice, A Guide for Adults and Children," from The Anti-Defamation League, is a good place to start. Many times bullying is the result of prejudice. It is hard for children to understand both the consequences of their bullying others and how to deal with bullies. Thanks to this book's firsthand accounts and scenarios, your child should be less apt to be a bully and better able to deal with bullies after you have read and discussed "Hate Hurts" together.

One of my favorite books about standing up to bullies by being yourself is "Oliver Button is a Sissy." It seems particularly fitting that I mention it now because today is the 70th birthday of the picture book's author and illustrator, Tomie dePaola, who has written and/or illustrated more than 200 children's books. Happy Birthday, Tomie!