HOW TO HANDLE BULLIES, TEASERS AND OTHER MEANIES

by Kate Cohen-Posey, M.S., LMHC, LMFT
Paperback. Regular price $8.95, now on sale at $7.95.

Written for elementary school children, this little book helps kids counter painful but harmless name-calling and teasing. Dozens of examples and practice exercises teach kids a comic approach to this kind of cruelty. This book gives parents, teachers, and counselors a method to help young people help themselves.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Cohen-Posey has taught fourth grade, middle school math, and high school psychology. After a move to a university town in the early 70s, an unusual glut of teachers forced her to give up her career as an educator and become a psychotherapist. Always a teacher first, she continues to inform her clients about problems, relationships and communication through her writing. How to Handle Bullies, Teasers and Other Meanies was born of the painful remarks she suffered as a child until she accidentally discovered the key to empowerment in the in the 11th grade.

COMMENTS FROM REVIEWERS

Abbi Perets, ChildrenToday.com--
"Kate Cohen-Posey helps parents help their children through the rough spots. Her book...helps children--and their parents--to understand what makes bullies act the way they do. That understanding is the key to successfully changing bullies into allies. The book comprises short sections, so parents don't have to set aside a large chunk of time all at once. Each section presents an explanation of a specific mean behavior followed by ideas for handling that behavior. Designed to be read by parents (or educators) and children together, Cohen-Posey's book features simple language and inviting illustrations to help children discern the person hidden inside the bully. If you have children, sooner or later, you're going to witness nastiness firsthand. How to Handle Bullies, Teasers and Other Meanies is perfectly subtitled --this is 'A Book that Takes the Nuisance out of Name Calling and Other Nonsense.'"

Stephanie Zvirin, Booklist--
"The fill-in-the-blank section may cause a few problems, but consider purchasing this anyway. It's one of a very few books that puts a practical spin on the subject. It doesn't consider bullies who shove and kick, but it has got some useful tips on how kids can use verbal techniques to turn a bully's slurs inside out. It's a bit of a stretch to think kids this age will want to start an anti-meanness club, and it's difficult to fully accept the author's suggestion that taking the sting out of bullies' words may help bullies see the error of their ways. But this is certainly a place to start when fighting back seems in order, with the ideas and the wordplays recommended giving victims just the edge they may need to begin to recoup their self-esteem."

A review for Grades 4-6, Colorado Anti-Bullying Project (no-bully.com)--
"How many times has a bully or teaser upset you? If you have been upset very many times, this is the book for you! You no longer have to be somebody's victim and feel terrible and you don't have to act like a bully or tease to protect yourself. In fact, you can turn someone else's annoying behavior into a game and have a good time. This book will tell you how..." Many experts suggest role-play as a way to prepare yourself to hold on to your self-esteem when you're under attack. This book gives practical self-defense advice. Its focus is dealing with from verbal, rather than physical, bullying. Some of the issues discussed include dealing with annoying name-calling, prejudice, anger, dangerous situations, and the causes of difficult behavior. It even contains "12 ways for melting meanness."

CONTENTS