Good-Bye Bully Machine [Paperback]

Debbie Fox (Illustrator), Debbie Fox and Allan L. Beane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Kids learn what bullying is, why it hurts, and what they can do to end it with this fresh, compelling book. With its contemporary collage art, lively layout, and straightforward text, Good-Bye Bully Machine engages kids and keeps them turning pages.

The unique format of Good-Bye Bully Machine helps kids understand the definition and impact of bullying by comparing it to a mean machine—the Bully Machine. Kids can see how bullying makes the machine grow more imposing, while kind behaviors dismantle it.

Through the machine, kids gain awareness of their role in bullying, whether they are targets, bullies, bystanders—or all three. The role of the bystander is especially important. Good-Bye Bully Machine helps kids see the power of the bystander to become an ally, which means learning to show empathy, engage in kind acts, and take a stand against bullying. It's a perfect way to engage reluctant readers and hard-to-reach kids.
 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 5—This book equates living with bullying to being around a scary machine that is "loud and powerful, with spinning wheels and whirling blades. It's cold and mean and looks kind of dangerous." The kid-friendly text explains that bullies are not always bad people and gives possible reasons for their actions. Different types of behavior are explained, including "mean words," "cruel actions," hurtful teasing, and picking on others in "quiet or sneaky ways." The authors provide tips for dealing with negative behaviors and encourage readers to take a stand against bullying and unplug the bully machine. Fox's enticing, edgy, collage artwork will draw readers in. Small photos of children interacting in social situations blend with cut-out words, machine parts and gears, and other images to send a strong visual message. "Bully-Busting Activities" are appended. Easier than Joanne Mattern's Bullying (Heinemann, 2008) and for a slightly older audience than Sally Hewitt's Bullying (Smart Apple, 2008), this offering will be a great discussion springboard for teachers and counselors.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Good-Bye Bully Machine will engage a new spectrum of students because of its rarity, boldness, and creativity." -Sarah Paoletta, K-5 educator, Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MA

“Why It’s on My Bookshelf: Good-Bye Bully Machine is a recent discovery. I just cannot say enough good things about what it has done on the playground, hallways, cafeteria, and classrooms in my school. Over the years, I’ve used dry and boring bullying curriculums which are now sitting idle on my shelf. I’ve lost students in a flash when I’m just standing at the white board writing the definition of bullying. As a counselor, it means everything to me for students to have better insight to bully behavior. The minute I introduce the metaphor of the “bully machine,” I have a captive group of students. Good-Bye Bully Machine is one of the few books out there that really goes there with students and requires critical thinking. The first time I read this to a fourth-grade class, one of the students went out to recess and reported a problem to an adult stating, ‘I do not want to be part of the bully machine!’ Love that. So why do kids like this machine plugged in? How can schools unplug it? What makes it grow and become strong? Like I said, the metaphor of the “bully machine” creates higher level thinking and questioning. Those that are participating in bullying behavior have an opportunity to try and understand themselves better. A lot of those students are in personal pain; take the time to explore this with them. It’s such a worthwhile read. The “bully machine” causes a lot of hurt in schools across America. If you are a teacher or a counselor looking for a creative approach to STOP bullying, add this book to your resource shelf. (Be sure to use the leader’s guide—it’s an awesome supplementary resource).”—Books That Heal Kids Blog

 “Indispensable. . . . A constructive resource for empowering kids to end bullying.”—Jacqueline Golding, Ph.D., author of Healing Stories

“A must-read for parents, educators, and anyone else who cares deeply about creating a bully-free environment for children--and most importantly, a great book for children of all ages to see how they can help stop bullying in its tracks. This book fills a void.” —Barbara Coloroso, author of The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander

“Good-Bye Bully Machine is a top pick for parents of children who face bully problems in school.”—The Midwest Book Review, Reviewer’s Choice

 “Kid-friendly text . . . Fox’s enticing, edgy, collage artwork will draw readers in . . . [and] send a strong visual message. This offering will be a great discussion springboard for teachers and counselors.”—School Library Journal

“Of all the books on bullies that I have reviewed or purchased, this one has been a favorite.”—Misfit Momma blog

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; Softcover edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575423219
• ISBN-13: 978-1575423210
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Bullies
  • #100 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Bullies

More About the Author

Debbie Fox is an elementary school arts and literacy educator who has created innovative, award-winning programs for children. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Canada, Debbie is passionate about giving young people creative opportunities to express themselves. She is the author of two children's guidebooks about Florida, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Books That Heal Kids, April 14, 2010

By 

Books That Heal Kids "Roxanne" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good-Bye Bully Machine (Hardcover)

Good-Bye Bully Machine is a recent discovery. I am an elementary school counselor and I just cannot say enough good things about what it has done on the playground, hallways, cafeteria, and classrooms in my school. Over the years, I've used dry and boring bullying curriculums which are now sitting idle on my shelf. I've lost students in a flash when I'm just standing at the white board writing the definition of bullying. As a counselor, it means everything to me for students to have better insight to bully behavior. The minute I introduce the metaphor of the "bully machine", I have a captive group of students. Good-Bye Bully Machine is one of the few books out there that really goes there with students and requires critical thinking. The first time I read this to a 4th grade class, one of the students went out to recess and reported a problem to an adult stating, 'I do not want to be part of the bully machine!' Love that. So why do kids like this machine plugged in? How can schools unplug it? What makes it grow and become strong? Like I said, the metaphor of the "bully machine" creates higher level thinking and questioning. Those that are participating in bullying behavior have an opportunity to try and understand themselves better. A lot of those students are in personal pain, take the time to explore this with them. It's such a worthwhile read. The "bully machine" causes a lot of hurt in schools across America. If you are a teacher or a counselor looking for a creative approach to STOP bullying, add this book to your resource shelf. (be sure to use the leaders guide - it's an awesome supplementary resource on free spirt publishing website)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn Cruelty into Kindness!, December 21, 2009

By 

Danielle R. Schultz "@ School Counselor Blog" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Good-Bye Bully Machine (Paperback)

This is one of my favorite resources as a school counselor. The students really enjoy Good-Bye Bully Machine. It makes them think creatively about what makes a bullying problem at a school get bigger and how they can make a difference. To learn more about how I used this book in my classroom guidance lessons and school wide [...]. I am a K-12 certified school counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger [...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top pick for parents of children who face bully problems in school, July 19, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good-Bye Bully Machine (Hardcover)

Bullies can only be bullies if you let them be. "Good-Bye Bully Machine" is a guide for young readers who want to stand up to their schoolyard tormentors and establish the confidence they need to rise up through life. Comparing bullies to cold unfeeling machines, Debbie Fox & Allan Beane give many effective tips to help young readers get through the machine and unplug it. "Good-Bye Bully Machine" is a top pick for parents of children who face bully problems in school.