Random House Books for Young Readers Berenstain Bears & The Bully

They have since changed the ending of the book, likely due to all the complaints about references to the bully's parents spanking her and the bully having to get help from the school psychologist (and rightfully so, for throwing rocks at baby birds). That part has been replaced with both sets of kids' parents coming to the school to talk out the issues between their kids. If you want the PC revised version, go for it. Otherwise, just know that this is not the original version.

I love the Berenstain Bears books but this one was horrible. There was no good lesson on how to deal with a bully. First, sister smarts off and gets an attitude with the bully for something that may have been an accident so of course the bully gets offended and beats her up. This is just a minor issue. The big problem I have is that the book spends WAY too much time detailing how sister trained (in one weekend) how to fight back. While she doesn’t seek out the bully she doesn’t fight in self defense, she stands up for a bird instead of trying to talk to the bully or tell a teacher. The story just breezes over a suggestion that the bully might have troubles at home and the book mentions that talking is better than fighting but gives absolutely no detail as to why except for the fact that sister ALMOST got in trouble for fighting too. No other appropriate alternatives were given and even though there is one sentence that clearly states talking is better than fighting back, the story dwells way too much on self-defense and no doubt ultimately sends the wrong message to kids. I will be sneaking this book out of the kids’ library collection as soon as possible.

I'm disgusted at this book and will be throwing it in the Trash !!!Well at the end of the book it suggest that kids that fear being held accountable & punished by their parents must be Abused and is the reason For Bullies !And it keeps going ... the principal Never tells her parents what has been going on at school with there kid AND sends her to the school Psychologist twice a week without ever questioning or informing the Parents !Why is this garbage in a book and more so why is this going on in our real world schools.

I would be wary of reading this book with young children. It glorifies violence as solution to dealing with a bully. After giving Tuffy, the bully, a broken nose, Sister receives minimal punishment and her actions are not reported to the parents. Additionally, the gym teacher gives Brother the boxing gloves after hearing of his sister's bullying. For a book that was written in the 90's, I expected more responsible authority figures. If this book were to be read, it needs adequate discussion of why Sister Cub was wrong to try and solve her problem with Tuffy physically.

We love the Berenstain Bears, but this was not one of our favorites. It had a great message, but also kind of gives kids the idea that it is okay to hurt other people if you come from a bad home. It also ends kind of abruptly. It wasn't bad, but definitely not one of the best of these books.