Illustrated by Penelope Neal. 32 p., Hippocratic Press, 2009.
Vomiting and diarrhea can be frightening to children, especially when they don't understand what's happening. In this story, as four-year-old Miles the moose happily shares his excitement about an upcoming camping trip with his Papa, he finds himself not hungry, needing his special stuffed animal, and with a tummy ache that comes and goes. Suddenly, he throws up. His Mama explains that his tummy "emptied itself the wrong way," reassures him that he'll feel better soon, and takes him home to nap. The next day, he feels all better, but when he's out with Papa, he has diarrhea - which Papa anticipates when Miles describes his symptoms. Papa explains that Miles has "pooped out the germs that made [him] sick," and reminds him to wash his hands. He and Miles's sister assure him that everyone has had diarrhea at some time. They postpone the camping trip for a few days, and when they go, there are shooting stars. Dr. Cowan's language is wonderfully descriptive and kid-friendly; for example, Miles tells his Papa, "A waterfall's coming out of my bottom!" and there's a hand-washing song. The colorful illustrations reflect the active quality of children's lives. The book includes a separate guide for parents to coping with children's gastroenteritis. With empathy for both children's misery when they're sick and their enjoyment of special times with their families, this story gives kids the information and reassurance they need to cope with tummy bugs.
Ages: 2-7
Cultural Context: non-human
Welcome to the online home of Healing Stories: Picture Books for the Big and Small Changes in a Child's Life. Here you'll find information about Healing Stories, along with unique resources to support you in using picture books to help children through the challenges they face, from the everyday to major trauma.
Have you ever wished that you could find just the right book for a child? Maybe a child in your life is anticipating a big change, such as having a new brother or sister, starting school for the first time, or moving to a new house. Maybe something difficult and painful has happened, such as a divorce, a serious illness, or a death. Or maybe you just know a child who is fearful at bedtime, or is a fussy eater, or has a bad day occasionally. It may have occurred to you that sharing a story could help the child in your life manage the situation that she or he is going through.
Why a story? A healing story is a comforting experience. As a child, it’s a comfort to know that other kids have gone through what you’re going through - whether it’s something as ordinary as starting school for the first time, or something as traumatic as a natural disaster. It’s a comfort to know that other children have had the feelings you’re having, and that there are ways to solve the problem or to get through the situation. Most of all, it’s a comfort to share this experience by reading with an adult who cares deeply about you. And when you’ve read this healing story with your parent or another caring adult enough, the book itself - and ultimately, the story (in the absence of a physical book) - becomes a comfort. But, as a parent or other concerned adult, how will you find this healing story to share with your child?
Healing Stories puts at your fingertips an annotated listing of more than 500 picture books that was prepared just for this purpose. Each story or nonfiction picture book has been carefully selected by a psychologist who works extensively with children. Each chapter includes summaries of picture books relevant to a specific concern that children may have, empowering you to select the books that best match the child and the situation you’re concerned about. Healing Stories also includes a helpful introduction that discusses ways to use books with children who are experiencing life changes or stress.
Below you'll find reviews of picture books that aren't included in Healing Stories, and can be valuable sources of healing for children.
Have you ever wished that you could find just the right book for a child? Maybe a child in your life is anticipating a big change, such as having a new brother or sister, starting school for the first time, or moving to a new house. Maybe something difficult and painful has happened, such as a divorce, a serious illness, or a death. Or maybe you just know a child who is fearful at bedtime, or is a fussy eater, or has a bad day occasionally. It may have occurred to you that sharing a story could help the child in your life manage the situation that she or he is going through.
Why a story? A healing story is a comforting experience. As a child, it’s a comfort to know that other kids have gone through what you’re going through - whether it’s something as ordinary as starting school for the first time, or something as traumatic as a natural disaster. It’s a comfort to know that other children have had the feelings you’re having, and that there are ways to solve the problem or to get through the situation. Most of all, it’s a comfort to share this experience by reading with an adult who cares deeply about you. And when you’ve read this healing story with your parent or another caring adult enough, the book itself - and ultimately, the story (in the absence of a physical book) - becomes a comfort. But, as a parent or other concerned adult, how will you find this healing story to share with your child?
Healing Stories puts at your fingertips an annotated listing of more than 500 picture books that was prepared just for this purpose. Each story or nonfiction picture book has been carefully selected by a psychologist who works extensively with children. Each chapter includes summaries of picture books relevant to a specific concern that children may have, empowering you to select the books that best match the child and the situation you’re concerned about. Healing Stories also includes a helpful introduction that discusses ways to use books with children who are experiencing life changes or stress.
Below you'll find reviews of picture books that aren't included in Healing Stories, and can be valuable sources of healing for children.
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About the Author
- Jacqueline Golding, Ph.D.
- Jacqueline Golding, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in Pleasanton, California who works with children, teens, and adults. A graduate of Yale University, Dr. Golding earned her Ph.D. in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Central Contra Costa County Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Service in Concord, California. She holds an appointment as Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco and has published over 100 articles in scientific and professional journals on topics such as trauma, depression, and cultural issues in mental health. Dr. Golding is represented by the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency.
Selected authors and illustrators of books reviewed in Healing Stories or in this blog
- Marcie Aboff
- Larry Dane Brimner
- Pat Brisson
- Adjoa Burrowes
- Nancy White Carlstrom
- R. Gregory Christie
- John Coy
- Susi Gregg Fowler
- Miriam Katin
- Rukhsana Khan
- Ursula K. Le Guin
- Ann Morris
- Lynne Namka
- Donna Jo Napoli
- Holly Niner
- Marjorie Blain Parker
- Roni Schotter
- Marilyn Singer
- Cornelia Maude Spelman
- Ruth Vander Zee
- An Vrombaut
- Tamra Wight
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