Bully! (Bully - David Hughes)

Member Name: juicy_lucy

Product:	Bully - David Hughes
Date:	25/07/07 (123 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Raises serious issues

Disadvantages: None

An interesting book about what happens when people (or in this case animals and people) bully. Its shows the repercussions, and the general mess it causes, so is a useful starting point for anyone wanting to discuss the issues of bullying.

~~Story and Illustrations~~

The pictures are all large colourful sketches, and follow a comic book style, depending on what is happening in the story. when everything is all relaxed, such as at the start of the story when it's a sunny day and everyone is playing, then we have a double page spread.

trouble is, Dog was playing along, and when Dog suggests to Penguin that they kick Teddy, Pig smiles a "disgusting smile". Girl does ask Penguin why he is going to kick Teddy, he says it's because he is furry, and Girl callying him a Bully has no effect, he kicks Teddy anyway.

This is when we get into the gamut of emotions with Dog smiling a horrible smile, Teddy running to Elephant who holds his hand, and Girl smiling a nice smile...lots of points to talk about!

So it continues with Elephant being kicked by Boy, Girl getting kicked by Dog and Penguin, and Crocodile getting kicked because he keeps smiling.

It all gets out of hand, and the pictures illustrate this, getting more and more confused and busy. Crocodile starts to eat them all until girl shouts at them to "Stop it".When she gets kicked for her troubles, she calls Boy a Bully.

It's still not over, because we then have Penguin trying to ingratiate himself to Crocodile and then suggests that Crocodile eats Boy and Girl. Girl is incensed at this and starts to shout at Crocodile telling him how "wicked, horrid, evil, disgusting" he is, and with each word, he burps and one of the animals is expelled from his body.

And then, the one who started it all, Dog, suggests they play something different, so they do..."Look! Everyone is playing again. Isn't it a lovely day?"

~~Other bits of information~~

Published 1993 by Walker Books

ISBN 0744536243

RRP £5.99

~~What I think of it~~

Described as "lord of the Flies" for six year olds...Powerful", I would have to agree. Happily playing together, a sinister game begins, and one which everyone seems powerless to stop, and which gets totally out of hand.

The illustrations and format of the text keep the pace of the story, and I do always find myself reading it quite quickly, because the pace is such that the whole horror of the situation can't be slowed down.

The expressions on the faces of the characters perfectly match what they are saying and doing, and we feel quite afraid for the characters who are going to get hurt because we know that nothing can be done to stop the ones indulging in the bullying behaviour.

It's quite interesting to note the different attitudes and behaviour displayed, because we do actually see these characteristics not only on the playground but also in the adult world...some are the active peace makers and some are the carers whilst some are victims and others the antagonists. I do find it interesting that the girl is shown to be the pacifist, and the brave one, who is not bothered about what her peers think of her; sadly girls and boys both indulge in these bullying tactics, so I don't read anything into the fact that the girl has been chosen, and would imagine penguin could just as easily have been the choice.

I have read this to children from the age of about 7, because I think any younger and they wouldn't understand some of the complexities going on. The story has provoked a great deal of discussion, and whilst they generally see what the book is getting at, as a general read aloud story, they do tend to enjoy it because of the illustrations and fast pace.

For anyone who wants to read and discuss a book about a serious issue perfectly adapted for the younger market, I would recommend this.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela x

Summary: Book about bullying