Through the crisis with books

I had my first experience of bibliotherapy at the age of eleven. Of course, at the time I didn't know what the unwieldy word actually meant. And I wasn't even aware of the healing effect of reading. In my childlike perception, it just felt like that: I had discovered my favourite book. A book that captivated me immensely. A book that made me laugh, accompanied me, comforted me. Gretchen Sackmeier", the title of Christine Nöstlinger's young adult novel, came into my life when I needed someone like her. Gretchen's parents had separated. Her mother wanted to reorganise her life. Her siblings were annoying. And Gretchen herself was going through puberty, feeling out of shape and insecure.

Children experience the story of a book as intensely as if they were part of the plot themselves.

I was in the same situation as this character in the novel. I don't know if the bookseller in our little village bookshop had any idea. In any case, she gave me the book with the words «Look, this could be something» and as soon as I had opened the book in the shop, I spent all my pocket money on «Gretchen Sackmeier». It was love at first sight, if you like. And perhaps also a rescue.

The healing effect of books is scientifically recognised

«Books have the power to transport us to another world and open up a different perspective. The right story can provide comfort, give courage, hold up a mirror, create meaning, ignite passions and even heal illnesses,» says Karin Schneuwly. The German studies graduate was responsible for the programme at the Literaturhaus Zürich for many years before studying the healing effects of books. Today she works as a freelance editor and reading therapist in Zurich.

Biblio- or reading therapists such as Karin Schneuwly utilise the healing power of language and stories in a very targeted way: they select the right literature and thereby initiate awareness or even healing processes. Studies from the UK have shown that patients have been able to reduce their medication with the help of reading therapy. Because patients who read are calmer and more optimistic, hospitals began to set up libraries in the 19th century.

This creative therapy is now widespread in Scandinavia, the USA and the UK. It can be studied at American universities. In England, patients with mild depression can even obtain a prescription for books.

In this country, this form of therapy is not yet as well known as art or music therapy, but it is a recognised form of therapy that can only be practised after appropriate training. «But to a certain extent, experienced booksellers or librarians also work as bibliotherapists,» says Ella Berthoud, author of the reference book «Die Romantherapie für Kinder».
Berthoud believes that the bibliotherapy approach works particularly well with children. «The effect of literature is much more immediate with children than with adults. Children live through the story of a book as intensely as if they were part of the plot themselves. They empathise with the main character and overcome certain challenges together.»

Ella Berthoud first studied literature in Cambridge, then trained as a therapist and has now been offering bibliotherapy sessions at the London «School of Life» founded by Alain de Botton for twelve years. Many parents and families also come to her for counselling, usually on the initiative of the parents. Her patients start at just under five years of age. Berthoud asks the children about their favourite books or characters. She asks about friends, nice experiences, annoyances or fears. She may consult with the parents. Then she makes a selection.

A child never forgets the closeness that comes from being read to

Being able to read is not an obstacle. The stories are read to them. This situation is even helpful, explains reading therapist Karin Schneuwly. «A child will never forget the closeness of being read to or being told a picture book. Even as an adult, you remember the parents reading aloud and their soothing voice.»

The principle is often quite simple. A tense, loud child may need a calming story and a shy child a book that encourages them, says Schneuwly. A character like Pippi Longstocking shows that you can break out and be crazy, that the rules of adults are not irrevocable. A Ronja the Robber's Daughter shows how to face your fears. A quick-tempered character has his own behaviour mirrored in a book about rage monsters. The effect of reading astounds and inspires British author Ella Berthoud time and time again: «Children grow inside with the books they read.»

A book also helped my then five-year-old son in a difficult situation. He was quite nervous before his first sleepover at nursery school. A whole night with his friends and without his parents: it was exciting and scary at the same time. A few days before, we sat down on the sofa together to read a book that our teacher had given me. «A Tin of Kissing Candy» (by Michael Gay) tells the story of a little zebra who goes to a holiday camp without his parents. How is he supposed to fall asleep without a goodnight kiss? As we read the story, I could almost hear what my son was thinking: so he wasn't alone in his fears. And the little zebra had got through the situation too.
When I picked my boy up the morning after the kindergarten sleepover, he was proud. He'd missed us, but he'd laid down close to his best friend - and fallen asleep.

In general, bibliotherapy does not replace psychotherapy for a serious disorder, but it can have a supportive effect.

«Even children who have experienced something traumatic - such as an escape - can use literature to find a language for their experiences that their parents often don't have,» says Karin Schneuwly. The reading therapist worked for a while at a school with children from a wide variety of countries and also experienced the following: «When it came to stories from their respective home countries, the children listened to each other. Literature also promotes tolerance for differences.»

Reading must be a pleasure

Regardless of whether it's about such everyday worries or profound problems, the following applies when selecting books: reading must be enjoyable. If you like suspense, you don't want a relationship story - especially not if it's prescribed to you. «Children and young people have a very good sense of which book they might need anyway,» says Silke Heimes. She is a doctor and heads the Institute for Creative and Therapeutic Writing at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. As a therapist and author, she has been focussing on the healing power of writing and reading for over twenty years. The older the children get, she says, the less they want to be told what is good for them. «The only thing that works is to say something like: «I thought that book was really cool. You can have a look.».» British bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud takes an even more subtle approach: «For teenagers who find all adult recommendations completely uncool, you somehow place the books so that they can come across them themselves.»

Children and young people have a good sense of which book they might need in which situation.

It's always a good idea to try. Books can be a great support, especially during puberty. «With teenagers, many problems are associated with shame,» says Silke Heimes. «Teenagers often think they are the only ones struggling with certain things, so they don't talk about it and feel very alone with it.» This is exactly where books can come in: Seeing that the main characters have similar difficulties and overcome them can be enormously relieving.

I certainly felt that way as an 11-year-old with the character of «Gretchen Sackmeier». She was a model for me. I followed how Gretchen suffered, how she pulled herself together and finally came to terms with herself and the difficult circumstances. She helped me with that. I did the same.

In a way, I invested my pocket money in the first coaching session of my life. Did I ever tell the bookseller how good her choice had done me? Probably not. But I bought a lot more books in her shop.

Important books for young readers

Which books help anxious children and which stories provide comfort when parents separate? Bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud gives tips.

My child

...is anxious/difficult with new things
Leon Lionni: «Swimmy». Beltz & Gelberg 1963, 32 pages, approx. 24 Fr., from 5 years.
The little black fish Swimmy discovers the wide open sea. When he encounters a school of frightened red fish, he shows them how to be brave together.

John Green: «Sleep well, you nasty thoughts». Hanser 2017, 288 pages, approx. 30 Fr., from 14 years.
Aza suffers from an anxiety disorder. Nevertheless, the 16-year-old wants to support her best friend, grows beyond herself and searches with her for a missing billionaire.

...has no friends/finds it difficult to make friends

Anne Holt: «Two colourful friends. Chaos lives next door». Oetinger 2013, 128 pages, approx. 19 Fr., from 6 years.
Maibritt is terribly shy, her neighbour Märzbritt is cheeky, adventurous and loud. Nevertheless, the two become friends.

Raquel J. Palacio: «Miracles». Hanser 2013, 381 pages, approx. 29 Fr., from 12 years.
August has had so many operations on his face since birth that he doesn't attend school until the fifth grade. At first he stands out because of his appearance and has to endure terrible teasing, but then the children recognise his courage and his wit.

...doesn't want to go to school

Axel Scheffler/Agnès Bertron: «Mrs Hoppe's first day at school». Beltz & Gelberg 2019, 32 pages, approx. 12 fr., from 5 years.
Henriette Hoppe, the new teacher, is so nervous before her first day at school that she wants to hide! She promptly oversleeps, forgets to take off her nightgown and has a terrible palpitating heart.

Anna Gavalda: «35 Kilos of Hope». TB by Ars Edition 2007, 85 pages, approx. 9 Fr., from 12 years.
13-year-old David is not exactly a model pupil. He has already failed twice and no school in the neighbourhood wants to accept him. Only his grandad Léon knows that David can do much more than he thinks - if only he wants to.

...experiences a separation/changes in everyday family life
Finn-Ole Heinrich: «The Amazing Adventures of Maulina Schmitt - My Broken Kingdom». Hanser 2019, 176 pages, approx. 13 fr., from 10 years.
Maulina's world has fallen apart at the seams: she has to digest her parents' separation, swallow a move and find her feet at a new school. It's not easy, and Maulina is furious! A special heroine - defiant and full of imagination.

Alexandra Maxeiner/Anke Kuhl: «Alles Familie! From the child of the new girlfriend of dad's former wife's brother and other relatives». Klett children's book 2013, 32 pages, approx. 27 Fr., from 5 years.
All forms of family life can be found in this picture book. A cheerful approach to reorganising everyday life.

Read more about reading and books:

• Reading and letting others read
  Listening to music, watching TV and reading books. These are the favourite media activities of children of primary school age. In fact, books have by no means lost their importance. At least for children whose parents also read.
• Our book tips for reading aloud
  I read, therefore I am. Well, almost. But reading aloud and reading for yourself are fundamental for child development and family bonding. We present our favourite books from the editorial team and publishers.
• Reading aloud what parents and children like
  Strictly speaking, there are three types of children's books. Those that children like, those that parents like and those that both like.