Book-A-Holics Anonymous: Using Children’s Literature to Reach and Teach Children

“Mrs. Jones, I didn’t get it when you said it, but I got it when you read it.” So said an eight-year-old boy, addressing me more than 23 years ago after I had given him a book to read after his beloved dog died. He had been talking to me about it every day, and although I think it was helpful for him to talk, I found myself reaching for more and different words. At my local bookstore, I found the book “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf” by Leo Buscaglia. I sent the book home with the child, and when he came back to school the next day, he shared this life-changing feedback with me. In that moment, I understood that books have power with children. We continued our discussions, but they were so much more meaningful as we revisited the metaphor of Freddie the Leaf falling off the tree.

The term “bibliotherapy” was coined in the early 19th century, and was a practice used by such professionals as Sigmund Freud. The practice of bibliocounseling is used for myriad purposes including helping children (and adults!) cope with change, trauma, stress, disorders, and life events. Books are also extremely helpful in building good character, as children are able to learn about topics such as honesty, respect, kindness, integrity and compassion.

When a person is hurting, scared or experiencing trauma, finding the words to express those feelings can be challenging. No matter a person’s age or educational level, our logic takes a backseat when emotions take over. Feelings of doubt, guilt, fear and uncertainty may prevent a child from being able to clearly see their problem or any potential solutions. Opening a book allows a child to enter the world of the characters on the pages, and become immersed in someone else’s issues. A child who is guilty of theft may be able to confidently state why Ricky shouldn’t steal in “Ricky Sticky Fingers” by Julia Cook; a child who needs to learn to be a better listener might see how Owen learned this skill in “Quiet Please, Owen McPhee!” by Trudy Ludwig. Increasingly, books are focusing on developing the self-confidence of both boys and girls, in books such as “The Heart of a Boy: Celebrating the Strength and Spirit of Boyhood” by Kate Parker and “Dear Girl” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. When a child can see and express the issue from an observer’s point of view through reading the book, a trusted adult can help the child turn the lesson inward.

As a counselor, I have often partnered with my teachers and administrators to include bibliocounseling as a part of the discipline process. While a teacher or principal may impart a consequence for a child’s misbehavior, I ask if I can assign the child a book as part of the resolution. I may read the book with the child, or have the child take the book home to read with their parents. In many instances, I have had older children read a book and prepare a short lesson to go with it, and then I have them visit a younger class to read the book and share the lesson. One of my favorite examples was watching a fourth-grade student teach kindergarten students about how to deal with anger, using the book “How do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague – dressed in his dinosaur costume from Halloween!

For books to make the most impact, I recommend using one or more of what I call the 5 P’s: puppets, props, party favors, play and PowerPoint. A plush Pete the Cat puppet makes any Pete book that much more fun. A video, song or game from https://wedolisten.org/ helps any Howard B. Wigglebottom book literally come alive. Making a simple craft or make and take to go along with a book presented to a child helps the child have something to revisit, and thereby revisit the lesson itself. Children look forward to the interactions that follow the book as much as they enjoy the book itself.

You can never have too many books, and there’s a book for practically every situation. Head to your favorite bookstore, amazon.com, or a bibliocounseling workshop to up your book game!

Nancy Pittard Jones, Ed.S, LPC, NCC, NCSC, is Lower School dean of counseling and student services at Wesleyan School in Peachtree Corners, Ga.