Bibliotherapy

One of my favorite ways to connect with students and proactively teach social skills is through picture books. For all children, it is a great conversation starter and a place to learn valuable social-emotional skills. Whether your child needs guidance in learning about feelings, friendship, conflict resolution, mindfulness and relaxation, anger, or anxiety, or your family is experiencing a move, a death or illness or separation or divorce, there is a book for you.  I have a few favorites and would like to share them with you.

Feelings and emotions:

• The Great Big Book of Feelings, by Mary Hoffman http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17318682-the-great-big-book-of-feelings
• In My Heart, by Jo Witek http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20702049-in-my-heart

Friendship:

• Willow Finds a Way, by Lana Button http://www.kidscanpress.com/products/willow-finds-way
• Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/category/books-ive-written/picture-books/
• Flabbersmashed About You, by Rachel Vail http://rachelvail.com/flabbersmashed-about-you/

    
Conflict Resolution:

• Too Tall Houses, by Gianna Marino http://www.giannamarino.com/books/too_tall_houses.php
• My Secret Bully, by Trudy Ludwig http://www.trudyludwig.com/mybook_secret.html
• Just Kidding, by Trudy Ludwig http://www.trudyludwig.com/mybook_kidding.html

Mindfulness and Relaxation:

• The Lemonade Hurricane, by Licia Morelli http://lemonadehurricane.com
• Moody Cow Meditates, by Lauren Alderfer http://www.amazon.com/Moody-Cow-Meditates-Kerry-MacLean/dp/086171573X
• Ann's Anger, by Gail Silver http://www.christianekromer.com/anhs-anger.html
• Angry Octopus, by Lori Lite https://stressfreekids.com/151/angry-octopus

Anxiety:

• Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes http://www.kevinhenkes.com/book/wemberly/
• Is a Worry Worrying you?, by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/books/worry.html
• The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11526654-the-girl-who-never-made-mistakes

Moving:

• Where I Live, by Eileen Spinelli http://www.amazon.com/Where-I-Live-Eileen-Spinelli/dp/0803731221
• From There to Here, by Laurel Croza http://houseofanansi.com/products/from-there-to-here

Death or Illness:

• Samantha Jane's Missing Smile, by Julie Kaplow and Donna Pincus http://www.apa.org/pubs/magination/441A808.aspx
• Gentle Willow: A Story for Children about Dying, by Joyce Mills http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62245.Gentle_Willow   

Divorce or Separation:

• Mom and Dad Glue, by Kes Gray http://www.littleparachutes.com/book.php?id=209
• Living with my mom and living with my dad, by Melanie Walsh http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217858/living-with-mom-and-living-with-dad-by-melanie-walsh/9780763658694/

My go-to resource for great books is a blog written by a school counselor. http://booksthathealkids.blogspot.com Check it out! 

Have a wonderful weekend!