GOOD BOOKS FOR TOUGH TIMES

I was asked if I would consider featuring the Good Books for Tough Times and it actually comes at a very good but as that's the reason for the guides, sad time .

My children just lost a schoolfriend and the funeral is in fact  today.

They have gone through family bereavement but I have shielded them a little from the funerals, plus they have not been key family members for them.

This time they are really facing loss head on and as teens without me there.

We all have grief in our lives and one of the ways I myself deal with mine is by talking with Chris and my friends and when on my own one way is reading about others experience of similar events.
I will look for fact and fiction and both help immensely one to get an angle on the reality, the latter to get a sense of perspective from another source.

Paige has long been a fan of Jacqueline Wilson, her books deal with many real life traumas and stresses for children bullying, parents separating, even death, Paige's favourite is The Illustrated Mum and Jacqueline has written two insightful reviews for Partnership for children and her books are included in the guides.

Stories for 20 million children and Reading is the key to everything

I think what I most want to say is fiction can ease the burdens children face and if the whole family are suffering bad times for example a family bereavement, a good book may be the only outlet at home.

A children’s charity has launched  new independent guides recommending story books which can help children to cope with difficult feelings or situations, such as bereavement, bullying or family break-up.

The guides entitled Good Books for Tough Times, produced by charity Partnership for Children, has been sent to 23,000 primary schools and more than 3,500 libraries, and has been made available free of charge online for parents.

Former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo, who wrote a Foreword to the guide, said: “Books can help children to deal with anxiety and give them a sense of perspective. This guide will help parents, teachers and librarians find the right books to help children who are dealing with difficult situations or feelings. Reading is probably the best therapy there is, other than talking to mum or dad.”

Following an earlier version for younger children, the latest guide focuses on the 9-12 age group and recommends 59 books including David Yelland’s The Truth about Leo for its openness about alcoholism in families and Roald Dahl’s Matilda for bullying. Also included are four titles by Jacqueline Wilson and the Harry Potter series for its portrayal of friendship issues and bereavement.

Comedian David Walliams, whose book ‘The Boy in the Dress’ is included in the guide, said: "I hope the book teaches children in an entertaining way that it is OK to be different".

The guide was compiled by the Partnership for Children charity which promotes emotional and mental well being of children throughout the world. The books have been independently chosen by Partnership for Children in coordination with the BookTrust charity.

 

Good Books for Tough Time can be ordered from http://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/