Bibliotherapy? What's That?!
Bibliotherapy has been used for decades officially (but much longer than that unofficially!) and can be described as the use of books or stories to address personal challenges. I did some research into Bibliotherapy while studying my Masters degree and the possibilities for it's uses literally are endless!
People who work with children often tend to use stories to teach valuable life lessons but with proper training you can make the most of storytime by using three simple to remember steps.
It gives me such joy to provide great professional development and I'd love to come to your school or early years centre to give some of the most fun, informative and engaging professional development your staff have ever attended!
You can contact me at www.shininglifeskills.com.au or email liz@shininglifeskills.com.au
In the meantime, please enjoy this free list of some of my favourite books to read to young people and some of the helpful topics they cover.
On Teamwork
Mission Incrocible
Chris Collin
Illus by Megan Kitchin
On Everyone having a part to play
Wombat Divine
Mem Fox
Illus by Kerry Argent
Things aren’t always as we think they are (looking at how we think about things)
This is a ball
Beck & Matt Stanton
What makes you different makes you special
Harry the Highlander – Up the Glen
Cameron Scott
Illus by Cee Biscoe
The importance of family
The Things I Love About Family
Trace Moroney
Keeping special memories with us
All My Treasures – A Book of Joy
Jo Witek
Illus by Christine Roussey
Everyone is Special
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Giles Andreae
Illus by Guy Parker-Rees
Friendship is more important than cheating
Grrrrr!
Rob Biddulph
Who we are make us important, not what we do
Koala Lou
Mem Fox
Illus by Pamela Lofts
Learning to speak up when it’s important
Danny, the Duck with no Quack
Malachy Doyle, Janet Samuel
Mistakes are OK
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Mark Pett and Gary Rubenstein
Illus by Mark Pett
The beauty of sharing
The Sad Little Monster & the Jelly Bean Queen
Kym Ladner
It’s OK to cry
(Particularly in relation to a pet’s death, excellent to read to boys in particular)
Tough Boris
Mem Fox
Illus by Kathryn Brown
Saying Please
Benjamin Bear Says Please
Claire Freedman
Illus by Steve Smallman
Everyone can be good at something
Yes We Can!
Sam McBratney
Illus by Charles Fuge
The importance of community & being wise
(Lots of brilliant discussion points!)
Here We Are
Oliver Jeffers
The downside of attention seeking
Pig the Star
Aaron Blabey
The importance of difference in community
The Not So Perfect Penguin
Steve Smallman
How to Make Friends
Fox Makes Friends
Adam Relf
The difficulties of moving and being the ‘new kid’
Sunday Chutney
Aaron Blabey
Being Yourself
Starting Kindergarten or School
Just Jack
Jane Tanner
The Importance of Heartfelt Gifts
The Best Birthday Present Ever
Ben Mantle
Empathy
(Absolutely brilliant book for thinking of others)
The Very Cranky Bear
Nick Bland
Separation and Loss
(Fantastic book for separation anxiety with regard to school or permanent loss)
The Invisible String
Patrice Karst
Illus by Geoff Stevenson
Understanding Feelings/Emotional Literacy
The Way I Feel
Janan Cain
Helping to understand and try to overcome anxiety
The Whatifs
Emily Kilgore
Illus by Zoe Persico
Talking about bullying
Jilly and the Bully
Lowen Taylor
Illus byGeoff Hupfeld
Making Friends
Why Can’t I Play?
Elizabeth Hawkins
Illus byBill Bolton
How words can damage and learning to use words wisely
The Word War
Mark Hadley
Illus by Amy Lees
Being kind and sharing
Is that what friends do?
Marjorie Newman
Illus byPeter Bowman
Unity despite diversity
Whoever You Are
Mem Fox
Illus by Leslie Staub
Getting attention in healthy (vs unhealthy) ways
The Very Itchy Bear
Nick Bland
Educators, parents and those on the 'frontline' with children often have amazing ideas of good books to read. Please do let me know the names of your favourite books and the topics they cover in the comments below and we can look at adding them to the list!
