Bus Ride Bully (My First Graphic Novel)
My 1st Graphic Novel Series
What’s inside...
In 'Bus Ride Bully,' part of the 'My First Graphic Novel' series by Lori Mortensen, readers are introduced to a young protagonist who faces the challenge of dealing with a bully during the bus rides to and from school. The graphic novel format presents the story in a visually engaging way, making it accessible for early readers. As the protagonist encounters the bully's intimidating behavior, they must find the courage to stand up for themselves and seek help. The story explores themes of bullying, friendship, and the importance of speaking out against mistreatment. Through the protagonist's journey, children learn valuable lessons about handling difficult situations with resilience and the support of others.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the main character feel when they were being bullied, and what would you feel in their place?
What do you think is a good way to respond if you see someone else being bullied?
Why is it important to tell an adult when bullying happens?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone feel better? How did you do it?
What are some qualities that make someone a good friend?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences with bullying or witnessing bullying, to create a safe space for your child to open up.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the story by using open-ended questions that promote discussion rather than simple yes or no answers.
Highlight the importance of empathy by asking your child to consider the feelings of the characters in the book.
Discuss the actions of various characters and ask your child what they might do differently in those situations.
Reinforce the message that it's always okay to seek help from trusted adults when dealing with difficult situations like bullying.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Bus Ride Bully', the protagonist learns to understand the bully’s perspective, which helps in handling the situation compassionately.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by trying to understand why someone might be acting out or being unkind, helping them navigate social interactions with empathy.
Example Lesson: Conflict Resolution
Explanation: The story demonstrates effective ways to handle conflicts through dialogue and seeking help from authority figures like teachers.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use communication as a tool to resolve disputes peacefully rather than resorting to retaliation.
Example Lesson: Importance of Seeking Help
Explanation: The main character seeks help from an adult, which leads to a positive resolution of the conflict.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of reaching out to trusted adults like parents, teachers, or counselors when facing difficult or uncomfortable situations.
Example Lesson: Courage to Stand Up Against Wrongdoing
Explanation: The protagonist shows bravery by standing up to the bully, which helps change the bully's behavior.
Real-World Application: This lesson imparts the value of standing up for oneself and others, teaching children to be assertive in protecting their rights and the rights of peers.
Example Lesson: Building Friendships
Explanation: Through the resolution of the conflict, the characters in the story develop a mutual understanding and friendship.
Real-World Application: This teaches children how resolving conflicts can lead to strengthened relationships and new friendships.