Have you ever heard the old saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me? Well, words do hurt, especially in the hands of a bully.

In Claudia Villarreal’s latest book, The Bully Who Learned to Love, Ms. Villarreal crafts a unique and timely story about a bully who learns how to be a loving friend instead of a foe with the help and guidance of his teacher. As a former classroom teacher, Ms. Villarreal weaves a thought-provoking story about a bully who learns that our differences aren’t weaknesses but strengths and assets to be celebrated, not scorned. The Bully Who Learned to Love is not only a story about acceptance and diversity but is also about honoring the crucial work of teachers who enrich the daily lives of their students by creating safe and nurturing environments. Written in an easy-to-read rhyming format and beautifully illustrated by Michael Koch, the book colorfully details the bully’s transformation from adversary to friend and highlights important themes about love, tolerance, and acceptance. The book targets young readers aged 4 to 8 and has become a crucial tool in the fight against bullying across the country.

Note: According to the CDC, bullying has become a widespread phenomenon across the United States and has had deleterious consequences for bullying victims and their perpetrators. The CDC reports that 14 percent of public schools state that bullying is a discipline problem which occurs daily or at least once a week.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Fast Facts: Preventing Bullying