Pinky and Rex and the Bully

April 1, 1996
Gr 1-3-Pinky is forced into an identity crisis when his nickname and favorite color is deemed girlish by a bully. He wonders if, now that he's seven, it's time to change. An elderly neighbor suggests that he remain true to himself and question the "rules of behavior" instead. With his pal Rex (a girl) at his side, Pinky verbally confronts his tormentor. The older boy's aggressive bluster crumbles in the face of Pinky's new confidence. As in the previous books in the series, Howe affirms that boys (and girls) can be whatever they want to be. He fashions engaging characters who respond to their situations in a realistic, childlike fashion. Sweet's watercolor illustrations complement the gentle tale. Pair this title with Dan Millman's Secret of the Peaceful Warrior (H.J. Kramer, 1991), and you'll have ample food for a lively discussion on how children can respect one another and resolve their differences in a nonviolent manner.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

April 1, 1996
Gr. 2^-4. When a bully calls him a sissy because he likes pink and plays with girls, Pinky has second thoughts about who he is and how he fits in. Mrs. Morgan, a neighbor who takes a friendly interest in the boy, listens as he struggles to find the answers, but she warns that if he changes to suit other people, he may give up too much of himself. In discussing bullies and insecurity, Howe takes on two conflicts familiar to children and handles them with a sure touch. The resolution may come a little too quickly, but Pinky's pain seems real. Melissa Sweet's ink-and-watercolor illustrations appear throughout the seven short chapters, giving the book a most appealing look. This raises issues significant to grade-school children, making it a good book for discussion at home or in the classroom. The last title in the popular series is "Pinky and Rex and the Double-Dad Weekend" (1995). ((Reviewed April 1, 1996))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1996, American Library Association.)