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How do stories help?
Mirror and Window Books
All my books help children to explore difficult real-life topics. Stories can help children to work through and cope better with difficult issues such as bullying, serious illness, and bereavement by opening doors to conversations whilst also providing comfort and reassurance. They allow a truthful but gentle way to work through issues that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
For my PhD, I looked at how books validate children's experiences, by allowing them to see themselves reflected in stories. Sometimes, this is vital as children can feel isolated, believing that they are the only one facing a certain issue; perhaps their real life peers have not experienced what they are going through. Reassuring "mirror books" (Emily Style, 1988) help children to feel less alone as they enable them to read about characters who are going through the same things as them and feeling the same mix of emotions. Stories allow a safe distance to explore these emotions as research has shown that children are more likely to talk about how a character in a book is feeling rather than talking about their own troubles (Mills and Cohen). By drawing us is and making us feel what the characters feel, stories helps us to make sense of our own world.
Serious illness
The Nurse Ted series (Jones and Hyde) supports children whose parent have been diagnosed with a brain tumour, cancer or terminal illness. These conditions can be scary and children may have lots of questions. In the "Nurse Ted" books there is child-friendly factual information and stories of children who are going through similarly difficult times. Available for purchase from Amazon or the Nurse Ted website .
Sibling Bereavement
"Golden Flowers for Little Dragon," Ffion Jones, illustrated by Gareth Jones, with notes by Lynette Thacker, supports children preparing for or coping with the death of a sibling. It is a story of love and grief as two dragon siblings, Tan and Dewi, come to terms with the loss of their younger brother. Published by The Book Guild, October 2021.
"I Give You The Moon" Ffion Jones, illustrated by Gareth Jones, is about the endurance of sibling love and is inspired by two very brave siblings Baran and Leyla. Published by Ventorros Press, November 2021.
Bullying and other issues
"Emily is being bullied: What can she do?" Jones, Tenenbaum, Cowie, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018. This guide for children aged 7-11 portrays the view of the child being bullied, the bystanders, and the bully, emphasising the difference everyone can make in a bullying situation. Available to buy here on the Jessica Kingsley website.
"A School for Everyone: Stories and Lesson Plans to Teach Inclusivity and Social Issues," with Cowie and Tenenbaum. This compendium of stories and lesson plans covers topics such as bereavement, body image, frenemies and autism. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, September 2021.
Escapism
Books that provide escapism are comforting and distracting when a child is feeling overwhelmed. Fly Me Stories was created to send personalised stories to children who are seriously unwell in hospitals. Children can fly away on adventures and escape the four walls of the hospital. There are other brilliant schemes where you can send new books to hospitals (#booksforhospitals or @readforgoodUK).
Mirror and Window Books
All my books help children to explore difficult real-life topics. Stories can help children to work through and cope better with difficult issues such as bullying, serious illness, and bereavement by opening doors to conversations whilst also providing comfort and reassurance. They allow a truthful but gentle way to work through issues that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
For my PhD, I looked at how books validate children's experiences, by allowing them to see themselves reflected in stories. Sometimes, this is vital as children can feel isolated, believing that they are the only one facing a certain issue; perhaps their real life peers have not experienced what they are going through. Reassuring "mirror books" (Emily Style, 1988) help children to feel less alone as they enable them to read about characters who are going through the same things as them and feeling the same mix of emotions. Stories allow a safe distance to explore these emotions as research has shown that children are more likely to talk about how a character in a book is feeling rather than talking about their own troubles (Mills and Cohen). By drawing us is and making us feel what the characters feel, stories helps us to make sense of our own world.
Serious illness
The Nurse Ted series (Jones and Hyde) supports children whose parent have been diagnosed with a brain tumour, cancer or terminal illness. These conditions can be scary and children may have lots of questions. In the "Nurse Ted" books there is child-friendly factual information and stories of children who are going through similarly difficult times. Available for purchase from Amazon or the Nurse Ted website .
Sibling Bereavement
"Golden Flowers for Little Dragon," Ffion Jones, illustrated by Gareth Jones, with notes by Lynette Thacker, supports children preparing for or coping with the death of a sibling. It is a story of love and grief as two dragon siblings, Tan and Dewi, come to terms with the loss of their younger brother. Published by The Book Guild, October 2021.
"I Give You The Moon" Ffion Jones, illustrated by Gareth Jones, is about the endurance of sibling love and is inspired by two very brave siblings Baran and Leyla. Published by Ventorros Press, November 2021.
Bullying and other issues
"Emily is being bullied: What can she do?" Jones, Tenenbaum, Cowie, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2018. This guide for children aged 7-11 portrays the view of the child being bullied, the bystanders, and the bully, emphasising the difference everyone can make in a bullying situation. Available to buy here on the Jessica Kingsley website.
"A School for Everyone: Stories and Lesson Plans to Teach Inclusivity and Social Issues," with Cowie and Tenenbaum. This compendium of stories and lesson plans covers topics such as bereavement, body image, frenemies and autism. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, September 2021.
Escapism
Books that provide escapism are comforting and distracting when a child is feeling overwhelmed. Fly Me Stories was created to send personalised stories to children who are seriously unwell in hospitals. Children can fly away on adventures and escape the four walls of the hospital. There are other brilliant schemes where you can send new books to hospitals (#booksforhospitals or @readforgoodUK).
Stories to Help Children Feel Less Alone
Stories provide comfort and decrease the sense of loneliness that many children feel when faced with a difficult life event by making them realise that they are not the only one going through a certain situation. Books validate children's experiences, by allowing them to see themselves reflected in stories.
Stories for Understanding
Using stories to support children's understanding and prepare them for what is happening means things that may seem incomprehensible to a child can become less overwhelming.
Stories to Open Conversations
Books can open up a dialogue and be used to gauge how much information the child is comfortable with. Stories provide a familiar narrative that talks to children at their level, making them less defensive.
A Familiar Safe Space
The calming familiarity of books can provide comfort and reassurance when things feel overwhelming and out of control.
A Less Stressful Way to Talk about Big Issues
Children are more willing to listen to a story about someone else's troubles than talking about their own. Reading about characters who are going through similar experiences, makes it easier for children to work through their own story.
A Way to Explore Emotions
Books provide a safe space to explore difficult and confusing emotions. By reading how characters respond to events, the child's feelings are normalised and validated.
Stories provide comfort and decrease the sense of loneliness that many children feel when faced with a difficult life event by making them realise that they are not the only one going through a certain situation. Books validate children's experiences, by allowing them to see themselves reflected in stories.
Stories for Understanding
Using stories to support children's understanding and prepare them for what is happening means things that may seem incomprehensible to a child can become less overwhelming.
Stories to Open Conversations
Books can open up a dialogue and be used to gauge how much information the child is comfortable with. Stories provide a familiar narrative that talks to children at their level, making them less defensive.
A Familiar Safe Space
The calming familiarity of books can provide comfort and reassurance when things feel overwhelming and out of control.
A Less Stressful Way to Talk about Big Issues
Children are more willing to listen to a story about someone else's troubles than talking about their own. Reading about characters who are going through similar experiences, makes it easier for children to work through their own story.
A Way to Explore Emotions
Books provide a safe space to explore difficult and confusing emotions. By reading how characters respond to events, the child's feelings are normalised and validated.