Eddie the Bully

PreS-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, and 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 has 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 behavior or the effects that 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 plausible.