 |
Wally is a young rabbit who is almost five and is excited to start kindergarten. On the first day, Wally freezes when he is supposed to stand and announce his name and something about his family. Wally’s classmates begin to laugh at him and make fun of his fur and ears. Wally hopes it is a one-day occurrence, but the bullying continues. Wally’s friend, a stray dog named Barky, is also teased about not having a family. As Wally prepares for his fifth birthday party, his “friends” all decline his invitation. The next morning, feeling overwhelmed, Wally runs deep into the forest rather than boarding the bus. Soon, he realizes he is very lost, alone, and scared.
Stealey’s picture book is intended to educate as well as entertain. She feels strongly about bullying and has chosen that as the moral lesson of her work. Wally is a likable character, and many children will be able to relate to his circumstances. Often, bullying is a more complex issue than what is seen on the surface. Stealey manages to keep the situation simple and focused. One thing to consider is that the length of the book may be a little long for the target audience to tackle alone, so a parent or caregiver reading with, or to, the children and leading the conversation is ideal. A standout feature is the cover: the illustrations in the book are somewhat inconsistent, but the cover is inviting and grabs the reader’s attention. This book lends itself well to serving as a discussion starter for a teacher, caregiver, or librarian to begin a lesson on bullying.