Bibliotherapy with Preschool-Aged Books

The following books are titles I have come across and thought they would be relevant to use in a bibliotherapeutic setting. Let’s look at a them through a that lens and how we can approach young children to talk about them. This is a layperson’s approach to bibliotherapy and can be done at home or in circle time/story time – simply asking questions for cathartic and identity effect – making the children think about the books in an emotional capacity and how it relates to them, rather than just analyzing the story for content or “what happened.” Obviously some children may not want to work through certain feelings in a group, so you can do this on an individual basis as well, if you feel it would benefit them that way. As a reminder, using this approach and talking about feelings with children in any way may conjure up feelings that they aren’t ready for, or are ready to discuss. Approach each student or patron with delicacy and respect.

Clive and His Babies by Jessica Spanyol – A board book that shows Clive and his friends playing with dolls and taking care of their needs.

• Redefining masculinity – The book quite simply shows a young boy playing with dolls, something that many people don’t allow them to do. It is normalized, sweet, and never mentioned to be something “unusual.”  Do you like to play with dolls? Has anyone ever said anything about playing with dolls? Is it something for a girl or boy – why?
  
• Differentness – Although the book shows how natural and normal it is to take care of dolls for a child, it may still remind the reader that they have been told not to play with them, thus making them feel different. Does it feel good to play pretend with dolls or action figures? Do you friends play with them?
  
• Deconstructing Gender Stereotypes – What does it mean to be a boy or a girl, really? Are we pigeon-holed because of how we feel or how others make us feel? Is pink for girls and blue for boys? Clive normalizes a “girl” behavior, and reduces that strange feeling of “I’m not supposed to be doing this because I’m a girl/boy.”  Do you think there are girl things/boy things or girl/boy activities? Why are they activities only for girls or boys? Should anyone be allowed to participate in any activities or play anything they want?
• Nurturing – The most moving part of the Clive book is that he is so nurturing to the dolls and takes great care of them. Studies show that boys who play with dolls are more likely to grow up with a nurturing nature, especially with their own children.  What does it feel like to play with a doll? Do you want to take care of it? Does it make you feel like a mom or a dad?
  
• Diversity – The representation of a redefined masculine character doing something a lot of boys get grief for is so appealing, on so many levels. Representation is everything. Seeing themselves and others on the page performing an activity they may be ashamed of can change a child’s world. Do you feel strange when you play with dolls? Do you wish that it was something everyone did without worrying about it? Would you like to have your own doll or do you? Do you like Clive and his friends?
  

Little Blue Truck by Alice Shertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry – A happy little truck gets help from his friends.

• Coexisting/Friends – The little blue truck has many friends because is is friendly and helpful to everyone, but the dump truck finds himself alone when he needs help. Who is the friendliest character in the book? Why do the animals come to help the blue truck when he needs help but ignore the pleas of the dump truck? Why did the little blue truck come to the rescue for the mean dump truck?
  
• Bullying – The dump truck is a bit of a bully. He rushes past them all, urging them out of the way, and doesn’t care about upsetting anyone. Do you know anyone like the dump truck? Has anyone ever pushed you aside or said something mean to you? Would you help them if they were in trouble?
  
• Helpfulness – The little blue truck is helpful and friendly, even after dealing with the rude truck. Why is the little blue truck so helpful? Why are the animals willing to help him when he’s in trouble? Have you ever helped someone that was in need of assistance?
  
• Working Together – The animals work together to help the little blue truck. What does it mean to work as a group? Have you ever worked together on a project or in a game with your friends? Is it fun? How do you go about getting things done when you’re working in a group?
  
• Kindness – Even after being mowed over by the dump truck, little blue truck comes to rescue and gets himself stuck. Is it important to be kind? Who is kind to you in your life? What about being kind to people you don’t know or even people who have been mean to you in the past? Is it hard?
  

Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg – An exploration into the “oops” that makes up the creative process that is art.

• Art – What is art? Is it a painting on the wall done by a master or can it be something simple done by a child, rife with “mistakes” and crumpled edges? Do you like art? Do you like making art? Have you ever seen a painting? Do you like making art for others? How does it make you feel to look at paintings?
  
• Mistakes are OK/Perfectionism – The entire book is about making art out of mistakes. Sometimes it is hard to deal with our own mistakes, let alone make something beautiful from them. Do you make mistakes often? Does it frustrate you? Do you want things to be perfect? Why? What if we could make “lemonade out of lemons” every time we had an “oops?” How do you let go of trying to be perfect?
  
• Creative thinking– The transformation process is important in this book. Looking at a spilled glob of paint and turning into an animal, or taking a crumpled piece of paper and giving it a life of its own is about creative thinking. Can you make the leap of making a scribble something more? Can you turn something “ugly” into something beautiful. Think outside the box.
  

Stanley’s Stick by John Hegley, illustrated by Neal Layton – A boy finds a stick that he uses to pretend with, but eventually gives it away. This thoughtful book is a delight.

• Imagination/Whimsy – Stanley has quite the imagination. His stick can be anything! Do you like to pretend? What is fun about pretending? Have you ever used a stick or rock or coat hanger or anything as a prop in your pretend fun? What is it like to pretend?
  
• Evolving/Growth – Stanley decides to throw his stick into the sea, offering it up for another boy to find. He decides to give his stick up, does that surprise you? Why does he do that? Have you ever given up something you loved, that brought you pleasure? Was it hard?
  
• Letting go – Stanley seems a bit sad after he makes his decision, but ultimately he is rewarded for letting something go. Have you ever had to let go of something or someone that you didn’t want to? Was it hard? Did things turn out ok afterward or was it always difficult?
• Creativity – Stanley shows us how to be creative with a simple stick. What would you do with a stick if you had it? What would it be for you?