Therapeutic Stories are used to help children process difficult experiences and emotions through a metaphor. The characters and events subtly mirror real life themes and allow time and space for the child to draw out comparisons in emotions/experiences between themselves and the characters featured. From bereavement to relationship breakdown, therapeutic stories can enable children to engage in conversations that may otherwise overwhelm them. By “naming it to tame it”, the identification of emotions with a trusted adult can help a child to make sense of what has happened and its potential effect on them / the future. It can also help them to move on from events and learn skills that can assist in coping with a similar event in future.
Presley The Pug Relaxation Activity Book
“Presley The Pug Relaxation Activity Book” by Dr Karen Treisman (expert Child Psychologist) is aimed at children aged 5 – 10 years old who may need help to regulate their emotions. It is part of the “Therapeutic Treasures” collection. This therapeutic story tells of Presley the Pug and his love of running, snuggling and going under his warm blanket. Presley can often find he gets over-excited and doesn’t always know how to calm down. In this story, Presley has a range of helpful friends who help support him with their wise words and tricks they have learned over time. Click to view this book.
This book has made the world of difference to my work and to my own children, plus I got a fair few tips for myself and my own relaxation.
Cleo The Crocodile – A Therapeutic Story
Cleo The Crocodile – Activity Book For Children That Are Afraid to Get Close is another excellent publication by Dr Karen Triesman, this time focusing on the theme of helping children to feel safe, particularly in relation to attachment issues. The topics of anger, trust, rejection and relationships run through this therapeutic storybook and the many worksheets help the adult and child to structure conversations in a way that allows difficult conversations to be had without shame and other overwhelming emotions. Find our more here.
What a rare find to come across a book that highlights the challenges of avoidant relational styles in a fun and safe way for children. Has been a gold nugget of a resource! Worksheets are practical and easy to explain!
Neon The Ninja
Neon the Ninja Activity Book by Karen Triesman is designed for children who struggle with sleep and nightmares. The central Neon character has responsibility for helping anyone who finds night-time scary. He has special ninja powers that he uses to keep worries and nightmares away. Like all Dr Treisman Treasure Collection resources, this contains worksheets and activities to help support the adult and the child/young person engage in a conversation in a therapeutic way. This resource can be used by both parents and teachers / teaching assistants. For more information click here.
I bought this resource for my 8 year old daughter who was having bad dreams. We read the story and completed several activities. My daughter loved doing the activities together e.g. dream catcher, changing the story. What is fab about this resource is that the Neon toy can also be purchased. My daughter cuddles Neon and goes to bed with him most nights. Now if she is worried about something, she writes it down and tucks it in Neon’s tummy. Great resource, would definitely recommend. My daughter’s sleep is now much better.
Willy and The Wobbly House
Dr Margot Sunderland is a prolific author of children’s therapeutic stories. Willy and the Wobbly House is designed to help support children who are “anxious or obsessional”. It stars Willy as an anxious boy who sees the world as an unsafe and wobbly environment where awful things may happen at any point. He has a neighbour called Joe who likes to keep things very ordered but this seems to get in the way of his enjoyment of life at times. Both work together to break unhelpful habits and find more enjoyment in the world. Find out more here.
Brought this for my 5 year old daughter as she worries quite a lot. She loves the story and bright images and it seems to have made quite a difference with her anxieties.
How Hattie Hated Kindness
How Hattie Hated Kindness – A Story for Children Locked In Rage is another title from Margot Sunderland in her wide ranging Therapeutic Stories line. This tale focuses on Hattie, a child who lives by herself on an island. She lives sharks, crabs and stinging centipedes. She likes hard and spiky objects. There are people in Hattie’s life who try to bring kindness to her but she finds it difficult to accept and ends up being unkind to them, spoiling their offers of support. The story follows Hattie’s reflection of why she might feel the way she does. This story has many helpful implications for children who experienced adverse childhood experiences and struggle to accept kindness and create/maintain relationships. Find out more here:
This is really helpful for working with children who are angry. Margot Sunderland is great, really understands how children feel.
The Frog Who Longed for The Moon To Smile
The Frog Who Longed for The Moon To Smile is a therapeutic story designed for children who yearn for someone they love. The moon once smiled at Frog and he now longs for the feeling that it sparked to return. He thinks about it all the time. He waits and waits for it. Over time he begins to reflect on where else he might find this feeling…Click here to find out more.
This is a beautiful and sensitive story to help children who have suffered from wanting love from someone who can’t give it or meet their needs. I’ve used it with my adopted children and it has been such a comfort to them. It’s a wonderful story and makes sense to children and adults.
The Day The Sea Went Out and Never Came Back
The Day The Sea Went Out and Never Came Back by Dr Margot Sunderland is a fantastic resource for working with children and young people who have been bereaved. It may be particularly relevant post-Coronavirus for young people who have not fully been able to process what has happened over the last year. Eric is a sand dragon and used to enjoy playing in the sea. However it has now gone out and not returned. How can Eric find happiness without the sea he loved so much? Find out more.
Super story, works well with our children within our nurture network.
