BIBLIOTHERAPY

Children Finding Comfort through Literature

What is Bibliotherapy?

Most simply, bibliotherapy means helping through the use of

books. Bibliotherapy has also been described as the process
that leads youth toward emotional good health through the
medium of literature, and the process of using books to help
children think about, understand, and work through social and
emotional concerns.
What are the Goals?
Bibliotherapy has been used with all
ages, with nearly every issue or problem,
and at all levels of intervention by
counselors, social workers, psychologists,
teachers, and librarians. Its aim for
children and young adults is to promote
personality growth and development. The
goal is to help children understand their
feelings, to realize they are not alone in
what they are going through, and calm their
fears.
What are the Goals?

Other goals might include helping

youngsters see things from a different point
of view, shed light on problem solving, foster
moral development, embrace compassion,
provide ideas for writing assignments,
encourage appropriate decision-making
skills, understand the cultural differences of
others, and promote critical and abstract
thinking.
Why might you read or find comfort through
literature while dealing with sensitive issues?

A good book, like a good

prayer, is one that takes
us to the center of
ourselves and then leads
us back to the world
again, with our spirits
refreshed and our hearts
enlarged.
(Barbara Brown Taylor)
Did you know ..

Children of various genders, ethnic

groups and social class experience
various issues during their daily lives.
They don't know how to express
themselves or who to go to for
comfort. Many children arent
comfortable speaking to their teachers
or parents.
What issues are children facing?
Abandonment / Separation from loved one
Bullying
Death of a loved one
Death of a pet
Disabilities
Diseases / Disorders
Divorcing Parents
Identity Crisis
Weight management (i.e., obesity & anorexia)
Neglect
How might a child react when
dealing with sensitive issues?
Children keep their feelings or emotions hidden inside.
Children rebel
Children have low self esteem
Children feel discomfort within themselves
The child may become isolated
Or
He or She may find
comfort through
books.
Why might a child find comfort
through literature?
The best way to learn to read is to read, and readers tend to
read material that is important to them. For many children,
the problems of drugs, illness, death, divorce, handicaps,
and relocation are crucial issues in their lives. Books on
these topics are what children may wish to read or hear
read by the teacher or librarian. By being exposed to books
on such subjects, students become better readers and are
better able to deal in a positive manner with the issues
contained in the books. They recognize that they are not
the only ones who have to endure such problems. They
experience the viewpoint of others and learn how others
have dealt with similar problems ( Rasinski , 9).
 What makes the use of
childrens literature important?
Children may be able to identify with others who
are experiencing or are in similar situations.
Children may think more critically about their
issues.
Children may find comfort in the stories they are
reading.
They may find a solution to the issue they are
experiencing.
What Types of Literature are
available?

Fiction
&
Nonfiction
Saying Goodbye to Lulu
By Corinne Demas

A young girl and her lovable dog, Lulu, are

the best of friends. They play games
together, explore their neighborhood,
and even cuddle up to read bedtime
stories each night. Lulu is the best
dog a girl could ever hope for, but
when she grows older and gradually
becomes weak, the little girl must
face the sad possibility of losing her
dear friend, and inevitably, cope with
the death of her canine companion.
Though she is deeply saddened by
Lulu's passing and misses her very
much, over time the little girl
discovers that the sweet memory of
her beloved Lulu will live on forever...
in her heart.
Goodbye Mousie
by Robie H. Harris

When a small boy is told

that his pet mouse has
died, he can't at first
believe it. But gradually,
with the help of his
family, he comes to terms
with his pet's death.
Flush
By Carl Hiaasen

You know it's going to be a rough summer when

you spend Father's Day visiting your dad in the
local lockup.
Noah's dad is sure that the owner of the Coral
Queen casino boat is flushing raw sewage into
the harbor-which has made taking a dip at the
local beach like swimming in a toilet. He can't
prove it though, and so he decides that sinking
the boat will make an effective statement. Right.
The boat is pumped out and back in business
within days and Noah's dad is stuck in the clink.
Now Noah is determined to succeed where his
dad failed. He will prove that the Coral Queen is
dumping illegally . . . somehow. His allies may not
add up to much-his sister Abbey, an unreformed
childhood biter; Lice Peeking, a greedy sot with
poor hygiene; Shelly, a bartender and a woman
scorned; and a mysterious pirate-but Noah's got
a plan to flush this crook out into the open. A
plan that should sink the crooked little casino,
once and for all.
Wonder
By R.J. Palacio

August (Auggie) Pullman was

born with a facial deformity that
prevented him from going to a
mainstream schooluntil now.
He's about to start 5th grade at
Beecher Prep, and if you've ever
been the new kid then you know
how hard that can be. The thing
is Auggie's just an ordinary kid,
with an extraordinary face. But
can he convince his new
classmates that he's just like
them, despite appearances?
The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism
Spectrum Disorders
By Elizabeth Verdick

This positive, straightforward book offers kids

with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) their
own comprehensive resource for both
understanding their condition and finding tools
to cope with the challenges they face every day.
Some children with ASDs are gifted; others
struggle academically, some are more
introverted, while others try to be social. Some
get "stuck" on things, have limited interests, or
experience repeated motor movements like
flapping or pacing ("stims"). The Survival Guide
for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders covers
all of these areas, with an emphasis on helping
children gain new self-understanding and self-
acceptance.
Attention girls!
A Guide to Learn All About Your AD/HD
By Patricia O. Quinn, MD

This is the first book written for 'tween'

girls (ages 7-11) who have
ADD/ADHD. It offers girls, their
parents, and professionals practical
tips and techniques for managing
attention disorders and the many
aspects of life that these disorders
can affect. It was written in an
engaging style that doesn't 'talk down'
to girls. It is packed with useful and
empowering lessons that are simple
to apply. It was written by a
developmental pediatrician who is a
well-known author.
The Survival Guide for Kids with ADHD
By John F. Taylor, PHD

Explains ADD and ADHD

and offers practical
strategies for taking care
of oneself, modifying
behavior, enjoying
school, having fun, and
dealing (when needed)
with doctors, counselors,
and medication.
How can I implement this literature
in the classroom or library?

Choose a story thats simple, clear, brief, non-

repetitious, and believable?
Choose literature thats the appropriate
reading level and developmental level?
Ask yourself Does the story fit with relevant
feelings, needs, interests, and goals?
Does it demonstrate cultural diversity, gender
inclusivity, and sensitivity to aggression?
Do characters show coping skills and does
the problem situation show resolution?
Are there any other ways to help
children dealing with sensitive issues
find comfort through literature?

Read Aloud
Thinking Activities
Creating Writing
Keep a Journal
Art
Bibliography
https://sites.google.com/site/resourcesonsensitivetopics/bibliotherapy
http://www.naeyc.org/yc/
http://works.bepress.com/dorothy_bowen/4/
http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/professional-development/childlit/ChildrenLit/issues.html
http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-3/cope.htm
http://archive.adl.org/education/curriculum_connections/winter_2005/words_that_he
al1.html
http://education.jhu.edu/
http://www.corinnedemas.com/books/lulu.html
http://books.google.com
http://www.carlhiaasen.com/
http://rjpalacio.com/
Rasinski, Timothy V. and Cindy S. Gillespie. Sensitive Issues An Annotated Guide to
Childrens Literature K-6. Phoenix, AZ: OryxPress, 1992