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must be at an interest level appropriate to the maturity of the youngster,

The theme of the book should match the identified needs,

The characters should be believable so that the child can identify with with the dilemma,

The plot of the story should be realistic and involve creativity in problem solving.

Step 3) Decide on the setting and time for the story reading. Will you read it with/to your child, will you leave the book for your child to find, will you suggest the book to your child as a great read and hope they ask you to buy it for them?

Step 4) Knowing that you need to be active for bibliotherapy to be effective, motivate your child to become involved with an associated problem solving follow up activity by making play suggestions prior to story end (e.g. "We could have a Teddy Bear's Picnic and ask our friends to donate $1.00 each to the Save the Panda fund.")

Step 5) Design one or more follow-up, book-connected activities, based on your child's interest and ability. This may be as simple as being available for discussion after story end. You may want to engage with your child in drawing a picture from the story, or help your child journal their thoughts on the book. Alternatively, actively encourage dramatic play or drama around the advice issue, or take a visit to a place somehow connected to the story (see end of article for further ideas).

Step 6) Pre engage in the follow up activities by asking questions or having short discussions throughout the reading. At the end of a chapter or every few pages, sum up so that "the message" does not get lost in the fantasy.

Step 7) Immediately after story end, take a break and allow your child to do their own reflection on the material.

Step 8) Introduce the follow-up activities by briefly retelling the story, focusing on how the characters solved their issue, and let the child know what you suggest you could both do to honor the advice/message in the book.

Step 9) Assist your child to integrate the advice gained by honestly answering any questions they may have.

So, are books providing children with enough advice? On their own, no, but with active follow up activities, yes, children's books are a wonderful source of advice.

Here are a few ideas for the all-important follow up activity.

* In depth discussion of the book (e.g., discussing right and wrong, morals, the law, strong and weak points of the main character, etc.),

* Art activities (e.g., drawing map illustrating story events, creating collage from magazine photos and headlines to illustrate events in the story, draw pictures of events),

* Creative writing for the older child (e.g., resolving the story in a different way, analyzing decisions of characters),

* Drama (e.g., role playing, play out the story with puppets made during art activity, create a trial for the main characters to test their strength against the problem),

* Visit a place, or watch a movie, connected to the story (e.g. a homeless shelter, a hospital, a cemetery). Share together how stories often reflect what happens in real life and how story characters can help us to teach us how to make real life better/easier/different.

Learn more about this author, Megan Bayliss.
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