The boy telling the story knows that it is wrong when kids start 'picking on' other kids, but he and his classmates don't know what to do when three boys start bullying Ray. They huddle together, feeling safer that way, but they also try to close their eyes and ears to the goings on. The picking-on soon turns to name-calling taking food and then physical violence, and when Ray doesn't turn up to school one day, the boy is worried, particularly when he hears the three boys plotting something really unpleasant for when Ray returns. This makes him realise that someone must be told, and he goes to his teacher. The point is made that teachers are often busy and don't see what is going on, but this teacher want to know and goes straight to the headmistress. When Ray returns, she and the teacher confront the three boys, the headmistress phones their parents and a meeting is set with them and the boys. Their behaviour is sorted, and in the end Ray is invited to play with the others and all is well. This is a brilliant picture book. The realistic illustrations with soft colours tell even more of the story than the text - which is quite simple. We see the awful things happening to Ray, and we see the teachers handling of the situation. There is a page of information at the end which is helpful in the use of the book. Excellent for schools and for children facing the dilemma of deciding how to tackle a classmate in trouble. Available from Amazon, from good bookshops, and from Gazelle: sales@gazellebookservices.co.uk.