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.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Francis the Earthquake Dog by Judith Ross Enderle and Stephanie Gordon Tessler

Illustrated by Brooke Scudder.32 p., Chronicle, 1996. When there's a natural disaster, it's important for kids to know that someone will always take care of them. In this story, set in San Francisco in 1906, Edward, the son of a widowed chef at the St. Francis Hotel, adopts a lost dog. He keeps the dog in the hotel cellar while he helps his father at work, but the dog escapes and can't be found. Edward worries about the dog. That night, there is a major earthquake. Edward and his Papa run outside, and ultimately to Golden Gate Park, where they camp with others. Papa cooks for the camp, and with others, he and Edward help to repair the damage from the earthquake. Edward misses the dog. When Papa worries about their future, Edward reminds him that they still have each other. While helping to rebuild the city, Edward and Papa haul rubble awy from the St. Francis Hotel, where they discover, and dig out, the dog - who finally becomes part of their family. Afterwords for children explain the nature of earthquakes and give advice for earthquake safety. With its charming, vividly colored illustrations, this story reassures children that they can cope with even a major disaster. Ages 5-8

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About the Author

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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.

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