Bently the Bully
on Goodreads (17)
What’s inside...
The cool, crisp days of autumn bring joy to kids in the neighborhood as they play at their favorite playground. However, their fun is disrupted when Bently arrives, ready to bully and hurt them. The children scatter in fear at the sound of his approaching footsteps. But everything changes when a brave boy named Harvey decides to confront Bently and stand up for his friends. Harvey's courageous act leads to a crucial moment where Bently must decide whether to change his ways, and whether Harvey and the other children can forgive him.
Age
3-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did you feel about the way Bently treated others at the beginning of the story?
What changes did you notice in Bently by the end of the book?
Can you think of a time when someone was unkind to you, and how you handled it?
Why do you think it's important to be kind to everyone?
How can we help someone who might be feeling left out or bullied?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book's events, emphasizing the importance of empathy.
Ask your child to relate scenes from the book to their real-life experiences, which can help in understanding the characters' perspectives.
Discuss the concept of change and forgiveness, highlighting how Bently evolves throughout the story.
Reinforce the message of kindness by sharing ways your child can be supportive to peers who might feel marginalized.
Create an atmosphere of open dialogue and non-judgment to help your child comfortably share their thoughts and feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Bently the Bully,' the protagonist learns to understand and share the feelings of his classmates, which changes his behavior from bullying to friendship.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by considering other people’s feelings and experiences, which can help in building more compassionate relationships at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The story illustrates how Bently's initial harsh actions isolate him from potential friendships, teaching readers about the effects of negative behavior.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to think about the outcomes before acting, promoting responsible decision-making in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Redemption and Forgiveness
Explanation: Bently learns to apologize and make amends, earning forgiveness from his peers, which highlights the possibility of positive change despite past mistakes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of forgiveness and the opportunity to correct mistakes, fostering a forgiving attitude in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of Inclusivity
Explanation: As Bently becomes more inclusive, he enjoys a richer social life, indicating the benefits of accepting and celebrating differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace diversity and include others in their activities, which enriches their social experiences and promotes communal harmony.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Bently shows resilience in overcoming his own negative traits and working towards being a better individual.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to not be discouraged by setbacks and to continue working on self-improvement, shaping them into resilient individuals.