Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds: A Book Review on Courage, Voice & Character Education
- Paloma Ruiz Olmo
- Sep 11, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 4
Discover why Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds is a must-read for kids. Teach courage, kindness, and bullying prevention with SEL activities for home and school.
Peter H. Reynolds’ Say Something is a beautifully illustrated picture book that carries a powerful yet simple message: every voice matters. Through everyday scenarios, children are reminded that there are countless ways to “say something.” Sometimes it means speaking up when a classmate is being left out, other times it’s sharing a kind word, expressing a creative idea, or standing against injustice. What makes this book especially impactful is that Reynolds doesn’t limit “speaking up” to words alone — he expands it to include art, writing, music, and even small acts of kindness. At its heart, the story explores courage, kindness, and the responsibility we all share to look out for one another. The whimsical illustrations paired with gentle but thought-provoking text encourage readers to reflect on their own voices and how they can use them to make the world better. Say Something is not just a book to read once; it’s a conversation starter, a classroom tool, and a family favorite that reinforces essential values like empathy, inclusion, and the courage to act.
About the Author
Peter H. Reynolds is a bestselling author and illustrator whose beloved books — including The Dot, Ish, and The Word Collector — inspire children to be creative, courageous, and kind. Through his playful illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, he reminds kids that their voices and ideas can truly change the world.
Why Children Need Stories About Speaking Up
In today’s classrooms, playgrounds, and even at home, kids face daily choices: stay silent or use their voice. Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds empowers children to believe that their words, ideas, and actions matter. Whether it’s standing up to a bully, speaking out against injustice, or simply sharing a creative idea, Reynolds shows that even the smallest voice can create ripples of change.
Parents, teachers, and homeschool families are always looking for powerful books that nurture both literacy and life lessons. That’s where Say Something shines. Beyond its bright illustrations and simple but profound text, the book is an invitation to courage — the courage to speak up for yourself, to support others, and to use your voice to make the world better.
Why Say Something Matters in Character Education
Character education is more than just memorizing values; it’s about practicing them in daily life. Books like Say Something help children build courage, empathy, and responsibility in ways they can apply immediately. They provide the kind of “teachable moments” that schools and families need when guiding kids to make good choices.
Why It Matters
Say Something integrates beautifully because it aligns with multiple character traits:
Courage: Encouraging kids to act even when afraid.
Respect: Acknowledging that everyone’s voice deserves to be heard.
Responsibility: Recognizing when to take action in unfair or unsafe situations.
Citizenship: Reminding children that communities thrive when everyone contributes.
When children internalize these lessons, they’re not just learning to “be good”; they’re learning to be responsible members of their communities.
Bullying Prevention and the Power of Voice
One of the most pressing reasons children need to learn to “say something” is bullying. Silence in the face of bullying often allows it to continue. Research from the National Center for Education Statistics (2023) shows that nearly 20% of students ages 12–18 report being bullied at school, and children are less likely to feel safe in schools where bystanders do not intervene.
Why This Book Helps
Say Something gives kids language, courage, and examples to act when they see injustice or unkindness. It aligns with bullying prevention strategies recommended by experts (Coloroso, 2016; Olweus, 2013) who emphasize empowering bystanders to become upstanders. Children who learn to speak up for themselves and others help create safer, kinder school environments.
Teachers can connect this story to anti-bullying programs, while parents can use it as a springboard for family discussions: “What would you do if you saw someone being teased?”
Social-Emotional Learning Connections
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is at the heart of both character education and bullying prevention. According to CASEL (2023), SEL builds the skills children need to manage emotions, show empathy, maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Say Something naturally introduces these skills by validating children’s voices and encouraging them to act with kindness and courage.
SEL Competencies in Action
Self-Awareness: Kids reflect on what matters to them.
Self-Management: They practice managing fears of speaking out.
Social Awareness: They learn to notice when others are in need.
Relationship Skills: They see the importance of kindness in friendships.
Responsible Decision-Making: They explore the consequences of action vs. silence.
Reading this book aloud followed by SEL discussions helps kids translate abstract competencies into real-life situations they can handle.
Activities to Bring the Book to Life
Books become even more powerful when children can act on their lessons. The activities below are designed to help kids practice speaking up in safe, supportive environments. Each one is simple to set up and can be adapted depending on where you’re reading the story:
🏠 Home – Great for parents and families to do together.
🏫 School – Perfect for teachers, group leaders, or classroom discussions.
🌍 Both – Flexible enough to use in any setting.
1. The Upstander Pledge 🌍 Both
Goal: Teach kids the difference between being a bystander and an upstander.
Step 1: After reading, discuss what it means to “say something.”
Step 2: Create a class or family pledge:
“I promise to use my voice to help, to stand up for what’s right, and to include others.”
Step 3: Have kids sign and decorate it. Hang it on the wall or fridge.
Why It Works: Making a public pledge creates accountability and helps children see themselves as leaders.
2. Courage Cards 🌍 Both
Goal: Give children practical tools for speaking up.
Step 1: On index cards, write sentence starters such as:
“That’s not kind.”
“Please stop, I don’t like that.”
“You can play with us.”
“That’s a great idea!”
Step 2: Kids decorate the cards.
Step 3: Role-play real-life scenarios.
Why It Works: Children often freeze in difficult situations. Having “ready-to-go” words reduces anxiety and boosts confidence.
3. The “Voice Wall” 🏫 School
Goal: Encourage creative self-expression and community building.
Students contribute artwork, quotes, or poems on sticky notes answering:
“What do you want to say to the world?”
Display the notes on a bulletin board or classroom wall.
Why It Works: The wall validates children’s ideas, showing that even small voices can inspire others.
4. Family Reflection Jar 🏠 Home
Goal: Encourage kids to reflect on their actions at home.
Label a jar “Voices That Matter.”
Each week, family members write one time they spoke up.
Read them together at dinner.
Why It Works: Reflection builds awareness, while sharing encourages kids to notice and celebrate courage in daily life.
Teacher Connections: Cross-Curricular Ideas
Teachers often wonder: How can I extend the message of a picture book into other subjects? Say Something offers endless possibilities. The themes of voice, courage, and kindness connect not only to literacy but also to art, social studies, and even STEM. By weaving these activities across subjects, educators show students that speaking up is not just a character skill — it’s a life skill.
Literacy: Persuasive writing prompts (e.g., “What is one change you want at school?”). 🏫
Art: Protest posters for positive causes (kindness week, recycling, anti-bullying). 🌍
History/Social Studies: Study figures who “said something” (Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai). 🏫
STEM: Share science fair projects addressing community needs. 🏫
Parent Coaching Lens: Building Courage at Home
Parents often ask: “My child is shy. How do I help them find their voice?” Building courage starts with practice at home. Say Something gives families the perfect opening to model respectful communication, role-play real situations, and celebrate small wins.
How Parents Can Help
Model speaking up respectfully in daily life.
Role-play at the dinner table.
Encourage artistic expression (drawing, music, writing).
Celebrate every attempt to be brave, no matter how small.
Reflection Questions (for Families, Teachers, or Classrooms)
Sometimes the best learning happens through open-ended conversations. After reading Say Something, try these reflection questions to spark meaningful dialogue:
When is it hard to say something?
What happens if no one speaks up?
Who inspires you to be brave?
What’s one thing you’d like to say to make the world kinder?
Conclusion: The Ripple Effect of Speaking Up
The real magic of Say Something lies not just in its words but in the actions it inspires. When children learn to “say something,” they don’t just stand up for themselves — they build stronger, kinder communities.
Character education begins with small, consistent conversations. By reading this book together and trying activities like the Upstander Pledge and Courage Cards, families and educators equip children with the skills to not just notice problems but to speak up and be the change.
Because when one child says something, others listen. And soon, voices join together to create the world we all want to live in.
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