Eddie the Bully

by Henry Cole

Eddie the chicken is the meanest kid in class. He may be the smallest, but he is the biggest bully. He calls people names, hides people’s homework, and trips people. No one is safe from his bullying! And when the teachers give him a time out, that just gives him time to think of more mean things to do!

When a new student, Carla the pig, comes to class one day, everyone is prepared for the worst. But does she have a way to stop Eddie’s bullying? She compliments his clothes, invites him to lunch, and is extremely nice to him. Her kindness makes Eddie feel great at first. But then he starts to think about the way he's treated his other classmates, and he feels bad. He realizes it feels good to be nice, so he tries to help her make friends and be a good friend to everyone, any way he could be, any time he could be.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Friendship, Childrens, School Stories, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 2, 2016

About the author

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children's books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Nesting, Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack's Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside where he can sketch and write.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eddie the chicken bullies his classmates mercilessly, saying nasty things and playing mean pranks at every turn. Universally disliked, he is even unpopular with the teachers, who frequently give him a time out for his bad behavior. Then one day a new student, Carla the pig, arrives at school, and before Eddie has a chance to launch into yet another malicious and hurtful campaign, Carla's friendliness and trust in his good nature have disarmed him...

I have seen Eddie the Bully criticized as unrealistic, when it comes to the social dynamic of bullying. The argument runs that bullies are often the popular ones, enabled by peers and teachers alike, rather than being unhappy or disliked, and I think there is definitely something to that argument, in many cases. On the other hand, I do believe that our expectations, whether conscious or not, when entering new social situations, can have a profound influence on how our first interactions with peers or colleagues unfold. I vividly recall my first professional encounter with a boss who was, unbeknownst to me, universally disliked in my new work place. Because I had no preconceptions about her, nor any expectation that she would mistreat me, I reacted with pleasure at seeing her, and displayed no nervousness when speaking to her. From that day forward, my relationship with her was quite pleasant, something quite unusual at that particular job, and something which I attribute (at least partially) to our positive first interaction. So while I understand the critique offered of the "bully reformed by kindness" narrative here, I do think there is some truth to it, in some situations.

Leaving that question aside, I found the story in Eddie the Bully entertaining, and thought the colorful, cartoon-style artwork was both amusing and engaging. Cole has a talent for creating expressive animal characters, and that is definitely on display here. Recommended (with the caveat, discussed above, that it may not fit every scenario) to anyone looking for children's stories about bullying, and about positive methods to address bullies. I liked Cole's afterword, in which he shared the real-life story form his own childhood upon which his book is based.

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

If only it were that easy to stop a bully, though kindness does really make a difference.

Eddie is a bully and is very mean to everyone. When a new kid comes to school the others in the class just wait for Eddie to be mean. Before he can say one mean thing, the new girl gushes over his sweater. She just talks and talks and it makes Eddie feel good. Eddie is a bully no longer.

There is an author's note at the end where the author tells the reader of an Eddie in his school as a kid.

[Titilayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book during my beginning of the year rituals and routines at work. the students loved it! the illustration kept them engaged and they related to the story.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

K-Gr 2- Eddie is the class bully. At every opportunity, he picks on his classmates: calling them names, sabotaging their efforts, and tripping them up. For this reason, he is branded a troublemaker; no one likes him, even his teachers have given up on him. Then, a transfer student named Carla arrives. When she starts speaking to Eddie, all the others hold their breath. Here is the perfect "target". But, to their surprise, her kindness actually touches him. While the speed of this change of heart is completely unrealistic, Cole does effectively set up and explain the motivation for it. Eddie, who had alienated potential friends, is unconsciously lonely. When Carla gives him a taste of the alternative, Eddie realizes his mistake and does his best to play nice from then on. Cole does not point fingers, he does not delve into the reasons for Eddie's behaviour, or, the effects his actions have on the bullied. Instead, he focuses on the solution. Kindness begets kindness. His amusing cartoon animal designs, and soft palette choice establish a tone that supports this lesson, making the outcome believable. VERDICT Eddie the Bully is a finely-tuned picture book with valuable messages for all children, including bullies.

*reviewed for School Library Journal

[Maddy Filippi · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, the book describes all the ways Eddie is a bully. From destroying art projects to yelling rude things at his classmates Eddie has ostracized himself from his classmates and earned the label of bully. One day a new student, Carla, joins the class and she compliments Eddie and treats him with extreme kindness. Carla asks Eddie if he will sit next to her at lunch and introduce her to new friends causing Eddie to reject being mean to all of his peers. Eddie decides to be Carla's friend and realizes how good it feels to be nice to others. I really liked this book because it showed more of Eddie's perspective and how being mean to other's made him feel. This book reminded me a lot of The Recess Queen in terms of its focus on bullying and its plot line. However I do like this book better because it emphasizes combatting bullying with kindness rather than bullying the bully. I would recommend reading this book in a class setting to start a conversation about how to identify bullying and how to combat it. However I do wish that Eddie's teacher did more to stop Eddie from bullying his classmates because in the book it was implied that she was aware of the way he treated others.

[Wilson Macias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: This book is an excellent story about bullying and the consequences they come across such as lack of friendships, and known as cruel by others. Eddie the bully is cruel to all of his classmates who feared him because of his evil behavior towards them. Until this new student Carla walks into the classroom and Carla is lovely and friendly to Eddie. It is when Eddie gets convicted about how rude he has been to the rest of his classmates and how he should not act towards them. In the end Eddie learns that it is better to be kind and friendly than to be cruel.
Major Themes: Bullying, relationship, cruelty, loving, kind, friendly
Response: This is a fantastic book that shows how negative behavior can hurt you as an individual and those around you. It also showed how Carla killed rudeness with kindness and that changed the Bully’s heart and mindset. It is better to love and be kind than to be cruel.
Recommendation: I recommend this book for children or anyone to read. This beautiful book shows how loving, and being friendly is the best way to act towards others. Being cruel only brings negative consequences.

[Jane Ries · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that takes us into a classroom. A place where kids can certainly relate to and may, unfortunately, face a bully like Eddie. Eddie learns an important lesson as a new student teaches him the goodness of friendship. As Eddie transforms his attitude, he finds that being nice is a good thing. This is a good book to read to a group of kids or one on one. A child might just be able to pick-out words and help read as the type is big and simple. The pictures are big and bright and show lots of facial emotions.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the first page, author-and-illustrator Henry Cole, sends out a clear message.

This book is to be about a bully, and I got such a kick out of the scary bird portrayed on the cover. Wonderful tongue-in-cheek quality to both the illustrations and also the text!

CARLA'S CONTAGIOUS FRIENDLINESS

Another great touch!

Most important, I just loved the afterword, where Henry Cole told us a story from his own childhood, a story that inspired this delightful book.

I'm leaving this book with a smile that's lasting within me, Henry.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Eddie is downright cruel. Not only in words but in his actions as well. Everyone fears him. No one is immune from his putdowns and dirty deeds. Until one day a new student arrives.
Carla is placed next to Eddie and, without knowing his past, she immediately befriends him, complimenting him. It was all it took for a change to begin in Eddie. This is a perfect read aloud for teachers wanting to address issues of bullying in primary grade classes. Very cute humorous animal illustrations complement the story.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this one and would get again. Eddie is definitely a bully and then a new girl comes and catches him off guard. I don't know that every bully can be turned this way, but I think the message of trying to connect with people would help. And it does have a page where he says he feels miserable and wishes he hadn't done ____ and wishes he could start over.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great. I really like that with just a little kindness Eddie wanted to be kind himself. I also really liked the author's note in the back about his own Eddie experience.
Great for SRC Build a Better World

[Lyrical Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I was expecting some over-the-top, pedantic tool masquerading as a story, but it really gives kids the best way to deal with bullies, without any finger-wagging. It's short, simple, and to the point. An example that can be remembered and hopefully used.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Fiction/Picture Book

Copyright Date: 2016

This is a good book to use to talk about bullying. Students can see that kindness is powerful and can truly change a person for the good. Grades K-3.

[Theresa Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute bully book. Good lesson. You never know how much good a nice word can do.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can the meanest bully in the school be transformed into the nicest kid by a simple act of kindness! Yes, in children's books they sure can.

Illustrations are good.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eddie is a bully and mean to everyone. Then the new kid came into town and made friends with him. He kind of liked it. So he starts being nice to everyone and feels great about it.

[Holly Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it to my son. He seemed to like it ok.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tad simplistic, but still a fun read aloud that should spark some good discussion among primary students.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It has a great message on how kindness can turn a bully nice. The pictures were great too. This is my favorite Hoosier nominee picture book so far.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good but simplistic. I won't argue with the storyline. This is another 2018-2019 Young Hoosier Book Award selection.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great cartoon end pages
well illustrated
Love the "person-person-monkey" i.e. duck, duck, goose
Important how 1 caring person can change another person

[Books On the Ponderosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book showing how kindness truly is important!!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit when I read the title of this book, Eddie the Bully, I walked right by it. Too many bully books on the market, not interested. But the cover drew me back, and before I knew it the book was mine! Take a look at Eddie. Don't you have to know his story?

Eddie's classmates are darling. But the cuties are picked on unmercifully by the rude and mean Eddie. Then one day a new student makes her way into the classroom. One who is cute, but not by today's standards. Oh, no, and she is assigned a seat next to Eddie the Bully. Everyone prepares for the worst!

I'm pretty tough on picture books. Most just don't make the grade with me. But I think Eddie the Bully is not only full of cute illustrations (which originally is what I thought I might be getting the book for) but the story is well told too. Although a quick fix for a difficult problem (bullying), it's a start.

[Christine Turner]

A thoughtful anti-bullying book from the talented author/illustrator Henry Cole!
Eddie the chicken is the meanest kid in class. He may be the smallest, but he is the biggest bully. He calls people names, hides people's homework, and trips people. No one is safe from his bullying! And when the teachers give him a time out, that just gives him time to think of more mean things to do!
When a new student, Carla the pig, comes to class one day, everyone is prepared for the worst. But does she have a way to stop Eddie's bullying? She compliments his clothes, invites him to lunch, and is extremely nice to him. Her kindness makes Eddie feel great at first. But then he starts to think about the way he's treated his other classmates, and he feels bad. He realizes it feels good to be nice, so he tries to help her make friends and be a good friend to everyone, any way he could be, any time he could be.
Subject: Bullying -- Juvenile fiction.
Children -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction.
Schools -- Juvenile fiction.
Domestic animals -- Juvenile fiction.


Notes
Henry Cole was born on a dairy farm near Purcellville, Virginia, and was an adored elementary-school science teacher for sixteen years. He has since illustrated over 120 popular picture books. Mr. Cole has always loved art and science, and his keen observation of details in nature has helped him with his drawing. He now lives in Virginia. Find out more about him at henrycole.net.

[Bdalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story Eddie is unpopular because he is a bully and his bullying stops when a. Someone is nice to him, and b. He is given a chance to start over. My own personal experiences with bullies are that they are the popular ones. Rather than being loners, a group follows them and empowers them and does not disapprove of the bullying. Also, teacher rarely seem to challenge these popular bullies. So, while I like the message, and imagine that it applies in some instances, I think that it does not adequately capture the emotions of either the bully or the bullied in the majority of bullying cases.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book about a bully and the problem is solved in such a sweet and gentle way. I think this will be a great one to get kids talking about what bullying looks like (there are some GREAT examples of bullying) as well as addressing some of the causes and hopefully being able to come up with some solutions.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A relatable tale of a school bully. Eddie never has a good thing to say about anyone and does mean things to others. Will eh ever change his ways? And what happens when a new pig joins the class as a student? Loved the use of animals to tell this story and the author sharing his own experience with bullies.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vicious cycle of bullying. Eddie bullies everyone, no one likes him, he gets in trouble, then uses his time out to think of more bad things to do to them. That is until the new kid comes and, not knowing how mean Eddie can be, and is nice to him. Having a friend makes Eddie rethink all the bad things he has done to others. This book about bullying has a really sweet message.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story with simple examples of things that bullies can do. Sometimes it is hard for little kids to explain things that bullies do. This book will allow for great discussions about how Carla came in and changed the dynamics of the class.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's the thing... in most books, the bully is THE BULLY. He or she just IS.

But this book brings about a new idea. What about a fresh start? Can't the bully maybe, just maybe, try again?

Love this message.