Patrick and George - A bully, a bear, and a change of heart!

Patrick and George – A Bully, a Bear, and a Change of Heart. Written by Jessica Urlichs and Illustrated by Craig Phillips

Bullying is a tough reality for many children, and navigating it can feel overwhelming. Patrick and George – A Bully, a Bear, and a Change of Heart is a beautifully written and illustrated book that gently explores the emotional impact of bullying while offering a powerful message of empathy, resilience, and change.

Why We Love It

This book helps our kids understand that emotions around bullying are real, confusing, and worth acknowledging. The connection between Patrick’s changing world and his emotions is stunningly illustrated, making it easy for kids to relate. The story also doesn’t shy away from the word bully, which opens the door for real, honest conversations. Plus, it offers an uplifting message of kindness, showing that people can change and that we all have choices in how we respond.

The Results We've Seen

Parents and teachers have shared that this book helps children open up about their own experiences with friendship struggles, mean words, and big feelings. It gives tamariki the confidence to name their emotions and ask for support. The included discussion prompts from Rebekah Lipp also make it easier for adults to guide these important conversations, helping both those who have experienced bullying and those who may have been unkind themselves.

Ways to Use It

• At home: Read together and use the discussion prompts to talk about feelings, friendships, and kindness.
• In the classroom: A perfect resource for lessons on emotional literacy, empathy, and bullying prevention.
• Act it out: if your child is experiencing bullying this book helps open that conversation - perhaps use puppets to act out how Patrick responds, play out what it feels to be Riley, or support Pattrick like George does. Make it fun and watch your child's learning as they play brave, mean, loyalty as well as ridiculous! It will help take the sting out of bullying and give actionable strategies. 

Why It's a Must-Have

With stunning illustrations by Craig Phillips and deeply thoughtful storytelling from Jessica Urlichs, this book is a genm - it's a resource for helping children develop emotional resilience, empathy, and an understanding of the power of kindness. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who supports children’s wellbeing, this book belongs on your shelf.

Get your copy today and start the kōrero!