FabSwingers.com forum: Bibliotherapy

By *stella OP Woman
over a year ago

London

Bibliotherapy – the prescription of books as a remedy to ills – has been officially operating in the UK since 2013, when the Reading Agency charity launched the Reading Well Books on Prescription programme, supported by professional health bodies including NHS England and the Royal College of GPs. A list of titles chosen by experts and available in libraries was put together for GPs and mental health professionals to prescribe to patients, tackling topics from depression to dementia to chronic pain.

Now the Reading Agency is extending the programme to children for the first time! Hurrah!

Here are some of the recommendations:

For grief:

Michael Rosen - Sad Book (in my avatar!)

Jayde Perkin - Mum’s Jumper

Alan Durant - Clownfish

For anxiety:

Kathy Hoopmann - All Birds Have Anxiety

Dawn Huebner - Outsmarting Worry

For digital pressures/online world:

Jeanne Willis - #Goldilocks

For autism:

Vicky Martin - M is for Autism

For trauma:

Ali Redford - The boy who built a wall around himself

For feeling like an outsider:

Stewart Foster - Check Mates

Zanib Mian - Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet

Have you read any of these? Got any other recommendations? Would you use these bibliotherapy suggestions as an adult or for your children?

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By *ntrigued32Couple
over a year ago

Nottingham

We have always encouraged reading and taught all our children at a very young age.

Yes, I also believe it helps during times of illness.

I think it's a brilliant idea.

And it will only be a positive step forward in mental health for all.

Jo.Xx

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

Reading has long been my sanctuary. From early primary school

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By *VineMan
over a year ago

The right place

I haven’t read any on that list. But it’s a great idea.

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By *inky-MinxWoman
over a year ago

Grantham

Very positive.

With so much information thrown at us these days, children must be under more pressure to feel they fit in and what they are experiencing is not weird or unusual.

Otherwise there wouldn't be a book about it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The dangerous book for boys was my favourite book when I was younger, it’s was a perfect match of a guide to mischief, general knowledge and story telling all rolled into one.

There’s something that would interest anyone in that book.

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By *edangel_2013Woman
over a year ago

southend

My Grandad taught me to read when I was young. I went to school with a reading age way above everyone else.

Reading has always been my sanctuary, when I'm not feeling my best, I often resort to childhood favourites such as The Magic Faraway Tree, The Wishing Chair, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

I read grown up books too, just sometimes you need the simple things.

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By *stella OP Woman
over a year ago

London

I use Michael Rosen’s Sad Book with adults who are dealing with grief. It’s an amazing book.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The Huge Bag of Worries is a brilliant book to have in any house with young kids. Really recommend it.

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

Brilliant idea Estella and i’m book marking

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

I’m looking for self esteem help / peer bullying advice books for children if anyone can recommend anything.

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By *stella OP Woman
over a year ago

London

"I’m looking for self esteem help / peer bullying advice books for children if anyone can recommend anything."

Some of the ones recommended for bullying:

The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully by Audrey Penn

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By *stella OP Woman
over a year ago

London

Actually the Anti-Bullying Alloance charity has a list and synopsis of various recommended books at varying levels of reader capability. Can’t post the link here but easily google-able.

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By *stella OP Woman
over a year ago

London

"Actually the Anti-Bullying Alloance charity has a list and synopsis of various recommended books at varying levels of reader capability. Can’t post the link here but easily google-able.

*Aliiance

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By *SAchickWoman
over a year ago

Hillside desolate

What a great initiative, I've never heard of this before. I've always encouraged my children to read, and read to them from a very young age. I always found reading a welcome escape as a child. I'll definitely be looking into this more. Thank you!

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

Brilliant! Thanks Estella

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By *VineMan
over a year ago

The right place

I’ve just read Michael Rosens sad book

And the boy who built a wall.

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land

A mighty girl on bookface is a really good resource for finding books on different issues. I know it focuses mainly on girls, but have bought books recommended there for my boys.

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Bibliotherapy - now for kids!