The Recess Queen

Oh, would that all bullying problems could be solved so easily! Mean Jean is the reigning Recess Queen, pushing and smooshing, hammering and slammering the other kids whenever they cross her. And then one day a puny new girl shows up on the playground and catches Mean Jean completely off-guard. Not only is little Katie Sue not the least bit intimidated by the bully, she actually asks her to jump rope with her. In no time flat, Jean and Katie Sue are best buddies, and the playground is safe for all again.

Sure, it's simplistic, but there's a strong element of truth in this energetic rhyming story by Alexis O'Neill (Loud Emily). Bullies are people, too, and sometimes nothing is quite so effective as ingenuous disarmament. Big, bold, funny acrylic and collage illustrations by Laura Huliska-Beith (The Book of Bad Ideas) bounce right along with the text. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

• Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
• A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue
• The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others
• Enemy Pie : (Reading Rainbow Book, Children's Book about Kindness, Kids Books about Learning)
• Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
• Decibella and Her 6-Inch Voice (Communicate With Confidence)
• Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners
• The Invisible Boy
• Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are
• Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker (Little Boost)