Grandma, Why Didn’t God Make me a Bird, by Amanda Hines (2009, Tate Publishing), takes a good look at the confusion and pain that bullying and teasing can cause a young child.
In this book, a young girl wishes she could be a bird, able to fly free and not disappoint anyone or be teased and hurt. Kayla goes to her grandmother’s house and asks why God did not make her a bird.
Kayla’s grandmother is a wise old woman who has a close relationship with her granddaughter and spends the time to explain how God made Kayla in His image, which is better than being a bird.
The conversation that Grandma Annie has with Kayla is gentle and kind and portrays the wonderful truths that God cares, and that even in bad situations, good can come out of it.
There are several ideas explained in this short children’s book that can be the basis for great conversation with children about bullying and responding to a bully. Grandma Annie explains, for example, that Kayla can only control her own actions and reactions to others. She also explains that often, when people hurt others, it is because they feel badly about themselves.
The purchase of this book includes a free audio download of the book from the Tate Publishing website.
