Tease Monster: A Book about Teasing vs. Bullying — Julia Cook

Reading this humorous story will help elementary students understand the difference between bullying and teasing.

Is the Tease Monster a friend or a foe?
That's what One of a Kind has to figure out in this quirky tale.

One of a Kind has big feet and loves eating popsicles while standing upside down. He doesn't understand the difference between friendly teasing and mean teasing. When Purple laughs at One for being weird he feels rotten. And when Plaid called One a brainiac for getting an A+ on his math test he doesn't know what to say.

With help, he learns that teasing is part of life and that laughing at someone is mean teasing or bullying and can have a hurtful bite, but laughing with someone is alright when it's not done out of spite!

Author Julia Cook uses this story to help kids learn that the goal of teasing should be to create closer relationships and make connections, not to hurt the feelings of others. Tease Monster shows kids that teasing turns into bullying when kids use it to gain greater social status or if the intent is to harm. Youngsters will learn how to react to both types of teasing - when to laugh along with it, ignore it, or get help from a trusted adult when it becomes bullying. Kids also learn their own words can be misunderstood or hurtful and to watch what they say to others

A great read for all children ages 5 to 11, but especially those with behavioral disorders. Tips for parents and educators are also included. This book is part of the Building Relationships series to help kids learn social skills.