Title: How To Train A Wild Elephant: And Other Adventures in Mindfulness
Author: Jan Chozen Bays
Themes: Anxiety, Developing Perspective, Mindfulness
Age Recommendation: Adult Reference
Friday, June 26, 2015
Title: Wilfrid Gordon MacDonald Partridge
Author: Mem Fox
Themes: Anxiety, Communication, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Friendship, Gratitude, Grief, Humor, Individuation, Self-Esteem, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Elementary through Junior High School
Summary: Wilfrid Gordon MacDonald Partridge is the story of Wilfrid and his friends at the old persons home next door. Wlifrid's favorite friend there is Miss Nancy, who has "lost her memory." Wilfrid doesn't know what a memory is, but in discovering the meaning of the word, he helps Miss Nancy recover some of hers. This is a sweet story of friendship, creativity, and generativity.
Ideas / Interventions: This is a great story to use with kids who are developing social skills and learning to enjoy reciprocal friendships. Before reading the story together, review basic social skills like making eye contact, asking questions about what others are interested in, not interrupting others, etc. Then, as you read the story, point out the social skills demonstrated by Wilfrid and Nancy.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Title: Queen Bees And Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends & Other Realities of Adolescence
Author: Rosalind Wiseman
Themes: Adult Reference, Anxiety, Bullying, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Friendship, Individuation, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Adult Reference
Friday, April 10, 2015
Title: Harry Potter Series
Author: J.K. Rowling
Themes: Anxiety, Bullying, Blended Families, Coping Skills, Depression, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Friendship, Gratitude, Grief, Humor, Individuation, Self-Esteem
Age Recommendation: Elementary through High School
Summary: The Harry Potter series is very well-known among adolescents and preteens, but I am finding that many kids under the age of 10 aren't as familiar with it. Chances are, however, if you're reading this post, you are familiar with this series and it's fantastic array of characters and themes! As with most stories, the books are definitely better than the movies, so pick them up and read them if you haven't already!
Ideas / Interventions: There really are endless ways to use the Harry Potter series for bibliotherapy. My favorite way to reference Harry Potter in a session is to draw similarities between client's fears of ____________ and everyone's fear of Voldemort in the stories. By overcoming the dread of saying Voldemort's, or even Tom Riddle's, name out loud, characters in the story realize a previously untapped power within themselves. The same is true of our own fears and anxieties. When children avoid talking about difficult or frightening topics,their feelings of powerlessness over that event/thought/emotion is increased. When they are coached in talking about the topic in a safe setting, they are empowered - just like saying "Voldemort" empowered characters in the Harry Potter series. Clinically, this process falls under the category of exposure/response prevention techniques.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Title: Because of Winn Dixie
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Themes: Anxiety, Coping Skills, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Divorce, Friendship, Gratitude, Grief, Individuation, Self-Esteem, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Elementary though Junior High School
Summary: Because of Winn-Dixie is a sweet story about a girl and her dog. She feels like a stray kid when she rescues this stray dog, who becomes the catalyst for change in her life. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal is able to create new friendships, strengthen her relationship with her dad, and begin to make peace with her mom.
Ideas / Interventions: This is a great book to read in small portions during sessions or groups. Have kids draw pictures of their family, friends, and other important people in their life and discuss the hard and easy things about those relationships. Ask them to make a list of qualities they look for in a friend and see which of those qualities they see in characters in the book. Then have them make a list of their own qualities and talk about how to strengthen them.
Another idea is to have your client read the book outside of sessions and choose one character they feel they can relate to. Ask them to make a list of the character's strengths and challenges, and then guide them through the process of deconstructing the challenges to determine how to moderate them with their strengths. After they have done this for the character in the book, help them do a similar exercise related to their own personal strengths and challenges.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Title: Seven Steps to Improve Your Child's Social Skills
Authors: Kristy Hagar, PhD, Sam Goldstein, PhD, & Robert Brooks, PhD
Themes: ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Communication, Bullying, Coping Skills, Depression, Friendship, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Social Skills, Validation
Age Recommendation: Adult Reference
Title: Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention
Authors: Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
Themes: ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Communication, Coping Skills, Friendship, Individuation, Mindfulness, Parenting, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Adult Reference
executive skills in children and adolescents
Title: Social Skills Training for Children and Adolescents with Aspergers Syndrome and Social Communication Problems
Authors: Jed E Baker, PhD
Themes: ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Bullying, Communication, Coping Skills, Developing Empathy, Friendship, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Social Skills, Validation
Age Recommendation: Adult Reference
Title: The Incredible 5 Point Scale: Assisting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Understanding Social Interactions and Controlling Their Emotional Responses
Authors: Kari Dunn Buron & Mitzi Curtis
Themes: Anxiety, Autism, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Adult Reference
Title: The Journal of Best Practices: A Memoir of Marriage, Aspergers Syndrome, and One Man's Quest to Be a Better Husband
Authors: David Finch
Themes: Anxiety, Autism, Communication, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Humor, Individuation, Social Skills, Validation
Age Recommendation: Adult Reference
Title: The North Star
Authors: Peter H. Reynolds
Themes: Anxiety, Coping Skills, Depression, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Gratitude, Individuation, Mindfulness, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Validation
Age Recommendation: Elementary through High School
Summary: The North Star is a sweet story that follows a boy from infancy through adolescence as he follows his own path to becoming his best self.
Ideas / Interventions: Adolescents secretly love this book; some of them might not want to admit it, but they can relate to the main character in the story and are asking some of the same questions about life that that he is. When working with teens, I use the same tactic as I do with any other picture book, which is to ask them to just listen and watch for the underlying message, even though it might seem "too little kid" for them.
If I have time, I like to use this book in conjunction with art therapy. Encourage clients to identify what the specific points on their stars are; some choose to list coping skills, some list values, others point out internal qualities. If you are using this book for group therapy or in a classroom setting, invite kids to share details about their star with others and utilize it as an opportunity to appreciate individual differences.
Ideas / Interventions: Adolescents secretly love this book; some of them might not want to admit it, but they can relate to the main character in the story and are asking some of the same questions about life that that he is. When working with teens, I use the same tactic as I do with any other picture book, which is to ask them to just listen and watch for the underlying message, even though it might seem "too little kid" for them.
If I have time, I like to use this book in conjunction with art therapy. Encourage clients to identify what the specific points on their stars are; some choose to list coping skills, some list values, others point out internal qualities. If you are using this book for group therapy or in a classroom setting, invite kids to share details about their star with others and utilize it as an opportunity to appreciate individual differences.
Title: So Few Of Me
Authors: Peter H. Reynolds
Themes: Anxiety, Coping Skills, Developing Perspective, Humor, Individuation, Mindfulness, Parenting, Self-Esteem
Age Recommendation: Elementary through Junior High School
Summary: So Few Of Me tells the story of Leo, a busy, overscheduled kid. Leo starts keeping lists of all he needs to do and eventually finds that he needs more than just himself to keep up with his to-do's. Before we know it, there are lots of Leo's, each of whom is inundated with too long to-do lists. The real Leo becomes overwhelmed just trying to manage his clones and learns that the secret to happiness is simplicity.
Ideas / Interventions: This is a cute book to read with kids and/or parents with anxious temperaments and perfectionistic tendencies. Point out that Leo isn't someone who starts lots of things and just doesn't get around to finishing them, like a child with ADHD might be, but instead he likes to take on too much and wants to see everything through to completion. If you are working with older children who have developed performance-related anxiety related to pressure they perceive from their parents, try to engage them in a discussion about how Leo' self-esteem became too wrapped up in his external accomplishments with their parents in the session.
Ideas / Interventions: This is a cute book to read with kids and/or parents with anxious temperaments and perfectionistic tendencies. Point out that Leo isn't someone who starts lots of things and just doesn't get around to finishing them, like a child with ADHD might be, but instead he likes to take on too much and wants to see everything through to completion. If you are working with older children who have developed performance-related anxiety related to pressure they perceive from their parents, try to engage them in a discussion about how Leo' self-esteem became too wrapped up in his external accomplishments with their parents in the session.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Title: The Paper Bag Princess
Authors: Robert Munsch
Themes: Communication, Coping Skills, Friendship, Humor, Individuation, Self-Esteem, Social Skills, Validation, Bullying
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: The Paper Bag Princess is the story of Princess Elizabeth, who is engaged to be married to Prince Ronald, until Ronald is kidnapped by a dragon. Elizabeth is clever, strong, and courageous as she outwits the dragon and rescues Ronald. Ronald, however, then refuses to see Elizabeth until she is "dressed like a real princess." Elizabeth uses her wits, strength and courage to move on from that invalidating relationship!
Ideas / Interventions: This is a fun book to read when discussing social skills with younger kids. Have your client list important qualities they look for in friends; loyalty, kindness, sense of humor, common interests, etc. Then ask them to match those qualities with characters from the story and talk about times when they have noticed those traits demonstrated in others.
Another fun way to use this book is when talking about what it is like to feel misunderstood. For example, Elizabeth is a princess regardless of her appearance, but she is treated unfairly by Ronald because of how she looks after saving him from the dragon. How does this make her feel? Have you ever felt that your great qualities are overlooked by others, or have you ever felt misunderstood?
Ideas / Interventions: This is a fun book to read when discussing social skills with younger kids. Have your client list important qualities they look for in friends; loyalty, kindness, sense of humor, common interests, etc. Then ask them to match those qualities with characters from the story and talk about times when they have noticed those traits demonstrated in others.
Another fun way to use this book is when talking about what it is like to feel misunderstood. For example, Elizabeth is a princess regardless of her appearance, but she is treated unfairly by Ronald because of how she looks after saving him from the dragon. How does this make her feel? Have you ever felt that your great qualities are overlooked by others, or have you ever felt misunderstood?
Title: What Are You So Grumpy About?
Authors: Tom Lichtenheld
Themes: Anxiety, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Developing Perspective, Gratitude, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Social Skills, Humor
Age Recommendation: Elementary through Junior High School
Summary: What Are You So Grumpy About? is essentially a list of common kid complaints, accompanied by illustrations that highlight the difficulties they perceive in their circumstances. When you read this with children, plan to spend quite a bit of time examining the illustrations together; they are the key to having fun with this book! The author's humor is spot on for gently introducing the concepts of cognitive distortions, thinking errors, and negative automatic thoughts.
Ideas / Ideation: This is a great book to use with clients who suffer from anxiety or depression and present with symptoms of irritability. Helping children and their parents understand that when a kid is being "grumpy" there is typically an underlying cause that needs to be addressed is important; doing so helps parents develop perspective into the nature of their child's (oftentimes difficult) behaviors, and supports children as they develop self-awareness and learn communication skills to appropriately express their feelings.
As mentioned above, this is also a book that could be used when introducing the concept of cognitive distortions and helping clients develop skills to challenge negative automatic thoughts. Read this together in a session and ask your client to identify the name of the thinking error used on each page, and then help them create an alternative realistic yet positive response to the events depicted.
Ideas / Ideation: This is a great book to use with clients who suffer from anxiety or depression and present with symptoms of irritability. Helping children and their parents understand that when a kid is being "grumpy" there is typically an underlying cause that needs to be addressed is important; doing so helps parents develop perspective into the nature of their child's (oftentimes difficult) behaviors, and supports children as they develop self-awareness and learn communication skills to appropriately express their feelings.
As mentioned above, this is also a book that could be used when introducing the concept of cognitive distortions and helping clients develop skills to challenge negative automatic thoughts. Read this together in a session and ask your client to identify the name of the thinking error used on each page, and then help them create an alternative realistic yet positive response to the events depicted.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Title: Words Are Not For Hurting
Authors: Elizabeth Verdick
Themes: Bullying, Communication, Coping Skills, Developing Empathy, Friendship, Parenting, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: Words Are Not For Hurting is a very basic introduction to prosocial problem solving and social skills development. The text supports the concept that everyone feels frustrated or angry sometimes, and that there are appropriate ways to manage those emotions. The illustrations in the book provide examples of ways to use our words carefully and constructively. This is a good book to use in conjunction with the other title in this series, Hands Are Not For Hitting.
Ideas / Ideation: This is not a particularly interesting book for kids, but it is a great conversation starter. I have used this book in one-on-one sessions with children who struggle with impulsivity and anger, in small social skills groups when discussing how to express feelings, or in classrooms to teach about bullying. It's a handy book to have around, even if it is a little boring!
Ideas / Ideation: This is not a particularly interesting book for kids, but it is a great conversation starter. I have used this book in one-on-one sessions with children who struggle with impulsivity and anger, in small social skills groups when discussing how to express feelings, or in classrooms to teach about bullying. It's a handy book to have around, even if it is a little boring!
Title: Hands Are Not For Hitting
Authors: Martine Agassi, Ph.D.
Themes: Bullying, Communication, Coping Skills, Developing Empathy, Friendship, Parenting, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: Hands Are Not For Hitting is a very basic introduction to prosocial problem solving and social skills development. The text supports the concept that everyone feels frustrated or angry sometimes, and that there are appropriate ways to manage those emotions. The illustrations in the book provide examples of ways to use our hands carefully and constructively. It is a good book to use in conjunction with the other title in this series, Words Are Not For Hurting.
Ideas / Ideation: This is not a particularly interesting book for kids, but it is a great conversation starter. I have used this book in one-on-one sessions with children who struggle with impulsivity and anger, in small social skills groups when discussing how to express feelings, or in classrooms to teach about bullying. It's a handy book to have around, even if it is a little boring!
Ideas / Ideation: This is not a particularly interesting book for kids, but it is a great conversation starter. I have used this book in one-on-one sessions with children who struggle with impulsivity and anger, in small social skills groups when discussing how to express feelings, or in classrooms to teach about bullying. It's a handy book to have around, even if it is a little boring!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Title: How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods
Authors: Saxton Freeman & Joost Elffers
Themes: Autism, Communication, Developing Empathy, Friendship, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods is essentially a poem about feelings, illustrated with photographs of fruits and veggies wearing expressions that show their emotions perfectly. It is a fun read for anyone, but kids in elementary school seem to find it especially fascinating!
Ideas / Interventions: Learning to read body language and facial expressions is an important developmental task, as is becoming aware of emotions and feeling comfortable verbalizing them. I like to use this book as a way to introduce the basic communication skill of "I feel" statements. I also read this book with kids who struggle with pragmatic language ability; make a list of "feelings" words and have your clients match the word with the facial expression.
Ideas / Interventions: Learning to read body language and facial expressions is an important developmental task, as is becoming aware of emotions and feeling comfortable verbalizing them. I like to use this book as a way to introduce the basic communication skill of "I feel" statements. I also read this book with kids who struggle with pragmatic language ability; make a list of "feelings" words and have your clients match the word with the facial expression.
Title: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
Authors: Laura Joffe Numeroff
Themes: ADHD, Communication, Friendship, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie is another classic! When the boy in this story offers his mouse friend a cookie, it sets off a chain reaction of tangential requests that leave the boy feeling exhausted and the mouse hungry for more.
Ideas / Interventions: Kids and parents "get" this book, but parents of kids with ADHD "really get" this book! As you read this book with clients, help them pay attention to the body language of the boy in the story. Ask them to say how they think the boy is feeling, what the boy might want to do, or how the mouse could help the boy instead of creating more work for him. Discuss basic social skills and how they relate to the mouse and boy in the book.
Ideas / Interventions: Kids and parents "get" this book, but parents of kids with ADHD "really get" this book! As you read this book with clients, help them pay attention to the body language of the boy in the story. Ask them to say how they think the boy is feeling, what the boy might want to do, or how the mouse could help the boy instead of creating more work for him. Discuss basic social skills and how they relate to the mouse and boy in the book.
Title: Duck! Rabbit!
Authors: Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
Themes: Communication, Developing Perspective, Friendship, Individuation, Social Skills, Validation, DBT
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through High School
Summary: Duck! Rabbit! is the story of two friends who can't agree on what a cloud looks like. One sees a duck, the other sees a rabbit. Both friends have evidence to support their claim and both are sure their opinion is correct! In the end, both friends also change their minds and see what the other is seeing in the cloud.
Ideas / Interventions: This is a great, short book to read when introducing the concept of a dialectic, discussing how to validate another's perspective, or teaching social skills. When using this book with older kids, I like to acknowledge that it's "kind of little kid" but ask them to play along; this approach usually helps them feel less guarded in the discussion that follows. If possible, read this book with a teen and their parent; after reading the book together, ask them to discuss times when they may have fallen into the trap of arguing their point instead of listening to what the other person wants to share.
When using this book with younger children, I like to read the book twice; once before introducing a skill, and then again afterwards. When reading it the second time, ask the child to come up with alternative, validating responses to the back-and-forth arguing that the friends do in the book. After they have practiced the skill, have your client read the book and teach the skill to their parent(s).
Ideas / Interventions: This is a great, short book to read when introducing the concept of a dialectic, discussing how to validate another's perspective, or teaching social skills. When using this book with older kids, I like to acknowledge that it's "kind of little kid" but ask them to play along; this approach usually helps them feel less guarded in the discussion that follows. If possible, read this book with a teen and their parent; after reading the book together, ask them to discuss times when they may have fallen into the trap of arguing their point instead of listening to what the other person wants to share.
When using this book with younger children, I like to read the book twice; once before introducing a skill, and then again afterwards. When reading it the second time, ask the child to come up with alternative, validating responses to the back-and-forth arguing that the friends do in the book. After they have practiced the skill, have your client read the book and teach the skill to their parent(s).
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Title: A Splendid Friend, Indeed
Authors: Suzanne Bloom
Themes: Communication, Friendship, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: A Splendid Friend, Indeed is the story of an unlikely friendship. Bear is the classic introvert, Goose is the classic extrovert. With very few words and very engaging illustrations, we see the beginnings of a lasting friendship that develops despite their personality differences.
Ideas / Interventions: Read this book with clients as a way to start a discussion about friendship, communication skills, pragmatic language, and personality.
Ideas / Interventions: Read this book with clients as a way to start a discussion about friendship, communication skills, pragmatic language, and personality.
Title: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Authors: Judith Viorst
Themes: Communication, Coping Skills, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Validation
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is a classic! Most of us know this story by heart, but if it's new to you, definitely pick up a copy today!
Ideas / Interventions: Kids and adults alike can relate to Alexander. Everyone has had days like his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day! Read this with clients as a way to introduce the concept of calming and coping skills, practice expressing empathy for Alexander, or discuss the importance of validation. Having a bad day doesn't mean that you're having a bad life.
Ideas / Interventions: Kids and adults alike can relate to Alexander. Everyone has had days like his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day! Read this with clients as a way to introduce the concept of calming and coping skills, practice expressing empathy for Alexander, or discuss the importance of validation. Having a bad day doesn't mean that you're having a bad life.
Title: Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book
Authors: Grumpy Cat
Themes: Anxiety, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Friendship, Social Skills, Validation, Humor
Age Recommendation: Elementary through High School
Summary: Grumpy Cat is a compilation of photographs of, you guessed it, Grumpy Cat, each of which has a pessimistic thought attached to it. So what is it doing on a bibliotherapy blog?
Ideas / Interventions: Most kids think Grumpy Cat is funny, but teenagers who protect themselves with sarcasm absolutely relate to this book! I use this book frequently in sessions with depressed teens. If they are ambivalent to therapy, asking them to relate some of their worldviews via this cat works amazingly well. If they are engaged in the therapeutic process already, ask them to identify which cognitive distortion the cat is employing in each statement; this is a trick question because the cat isn't always mistaken in it's assessment of a situation. Having your client diagram the statement into facts and opinions is a good way to introduce the skill of parsing up confusing communication when they encounter it in their own lives.
Title: Joke And Riddle Jackpot
Authors: Michael J. Pellowski
Themes: Autism, Communication, Coping Skills, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Humor
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: Joke and Riddle Jackpot isn't the only good joke book out there, (in fact it's one of two that I recommend on this blog), but it is full of clever and clean jokes delivered in a variety of formats from one-liners to knock-knock jokes. Humor is an important part of life! One of the most important ways that we connect with each other is through humor. It's also a great stress reliever and coping skill.
Ideas / Interventions: Using humor in any session can reduce tension, strengthen your relationship with a client, and also model important communication skills. Joke books are a fun way to practice social skills and develop pragmatic language strength when working with children on the autistic spectrum, especially. The humor most kids enjoy often lies in their comprehension of the multiple meanings of words. Because children on the autistic spectrum find it difficult to interpret language when it is nuanced and heavily influenced by idiom or irony, spending time going through a joke book can be worthwhile. Another benefit from spending time with joke books is that doing so provides an opportunity for your client to become confident in their ability to tell a joke when it requires responses from others; knowing how to deliver a punchline, follow-through with a knock-knock joke, or when it's a good time to tell a joke at all are important communication skills.
Title: Laugh Out Loud Jokes For Kids
Authors: Rob Elliott
Themes: Autism, Communication, Coping Skills, Social Skills, Self-Esteem, Humor
Age Recommendation: Pre-K through Elementary School
Summary: Laugh Out Loud: Jokes For Kids isn't the only good joke book out there, (in fact it's one of two that I recommend on this blog), but it is full of clever and clean jokes delivered in a variety of formats from one-liners to knock-knock jokes. Humor is an important part of life! One of the most important ways that we connect with each other is through humor. It's also a great stress reliever and coping skill.
Ideas / Interventions: Using humor in any session can reduce tension, strengthen your relationship with a client, and also model important communication skills. Joke books are a fun way to practice social skills and develop pragmatic language strength when working with children on the autistic spectrum, especially. The humor most kids enjoy often lies in their comprehension of the multiple meanings of words. Because children on the autistic spectrum find it difficult to interpret language when it is nuanced and heavily influenced by idiom or irony, spending time going through a joke book can be worthwhile. Another benefit from spending time with joke books is that doing so provides an opportunity for your client to become confident in their ability to tell a joke when it requires responses from others; knowing how to deliver a punchline, follow-through with a knock-knock joke, or when it's a good time to tell a joke at all are important communication skills.
Title: Hound Dog True
Authors: Linda Urban
Themes: Anxiety, Blended Families, Bullying, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Developing Perspective, Developing Empathy, Friendship, Gratitude, Self Esteem, Social Skills, Validation
Age Recommendation: Elementary through Junior High School
Summary: Hound Dog True is the story of Mattie, a little girl with a sensitive temperament and clinical levels of anxiety who changes schools frequently; the story opens as Mattie starts at yet another new school, dreading what she assumes will be another awful year. Mattie has been the victim of bullying in the past, which reinforces her natural tendency to isolate herself from her peers. Mattie is an avid writer and the book is essentially her journal. There are some painful, yet realistic, depictions of bullying and it's effects on self esteem in this book, but overall it is a sweet, hopeful story.
Ideas / Interventions: Read this story with clients who struggle with self esteem, have been the victims of bullying, are dealing with adjustment issues, or who spend much of their energy each day just managing their anxiety. Because this is written as a personal narrative, cognitive distortions are expressed regularly. Have your client or child identify these negative automatic thoughts and suggest replacement thoughts for Mattie.
Ideas / Interventions: Read this story with clients who struggle with self esteem, have been the victims of bullying, are dealing with adjustment issues, or who spend much of their energy each day just managing their anxiety. Because this is written as a personal narrative, cognitive distortions are expressed regularly. Have your client or child identify these negative automatic thoughts and suggest replacement thoughts for Mattie.
Title:
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Authors: Jack
Gantos
Themes: ADHD,
Anxiety, Bullying, Communication, Coping Skills, Developing Empathy, Developing
Perspective, Friendship, Gratitude, Individuation, Parenting, Self-Esteem,
Social Skills
Age
Recommendation: Elementary through Junior High School
Summary: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is the story of a boy being treated
for ADHD and mood swings. Joey is a character that most kids with mood disorder
and/or ADHD diagnoses will relate to. Joey takes medication for his ADHD, which
he refers to as "dud meds" because he doesn't believe they help him
manage his impulsive behaviors at all. Joey has a good relationship with his
mom but struggles in school; this is the first book in the Joey Pigza series
and I recommend all of them.
Ideas / Interventions: As an intervention, either read portions of this book with your client during therapy sessions, or assign your client to read a section with a parent between visits. Often, kids who struggle with severe ADHD don't enjoy reading, so it's okay to move very slowly through this book. As your client develops skills for managing their impulses, have them problem solve for Joey. Ask you client to make suggestions for what Joey could have done differently in situations that lead to trouble.
Ideas / Interventions: As an intervention, either read portions of this book with your client during therapy sessions, or assign your client to read a section with a parent between visits. Often, kids who struggle with severe ADHD don't enjoy reading, so it's okay to move very slowly through this book. As your client develops skills for managing their impulses, have them problem solve for Joey. Ask you client to make suggestions for what Joey could have done differently in situations that lead to trouble.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Title: Dead End In Norvelt
Authors: Jack Gantos
Themes: Bullying, Coping Skills, Developing Empathy, Developing Perspective, Friendship, Gratitude, Individuation, Parenting, Self-Esteem, Social Skills
Age Recommendation: Junior High through High School
Summary: Dead End In Norvelt is an autobiographical coming of age story. After getting in an argument with his parents, the young Jack Gantos is "grounded for life" one summer and ends up being given the task of helping the town's elderly medical examiner with her duties, which include writing obituaries. Over the course of the summer, Jack learns invaluable lessons about the importance of hard work, the hard work of relationships, and the rewards inherent in devoting himself to a cause larger than himself.
Ideas / Interventions: This is another book that 'readers' will enjoy. Gantos's sense of humor will appeal to younger teens especially. There are endless themes to pursue; have your client diagram relationships in the book and then diagram relationships in their own lives, or ask them to complete a values ranking activity for one of the characters and compare that to their own values.
Ideas / Interventions: This is another book that 'readers' will enjoy. Gantos's sense of humor will appeal to younger teens especially. There are endless themes to pursue; have your client diagram relationships in the book and then diagram relationships in their own lives, or ask them to complete a values ranking activity for one of the characters and compare that to their own values.
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