Using Books to Heal

Whether or not life itself has changed since the events of 9/11, our perceptions of the nature of life have changed. As we adults struggle with our own feelings as well as the realities of living in an uncertain world, it is important to remember that children pick up on adult anxieties. More often than not, their fears and concerns remain hidden and unexpressed (at least verbally).

One way librarians can help young people is through books, which provide an especially effective way to open discussion between adult and child. Because reading is a consequence-free activity, it allows children to think about disturbing scenarios—to imagine themselves in even the most precarious situations. From the safety of a book, children and teens can begin to grapple with their fears and anxieties as well as think about their own potential for courage, fortitude, and resilience. In the aftermath of 9/11, the Iraq War, and with the threat of terror hanging over us, we are all searching for stories to share with children that will help them cope with the new challenges facing them. More than ever, it is stories that we look to for solace and inspiration. Whether it is the celebration of the familiar, the uplifting nature of humor, or the companionship of heroes—there are books to offer meaning, hope, and comfort.

Through a Project Liberty grant created by the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) in close cooperation with the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to the events of September 11, 2001, the Westchester Library System created a Web site (www.westchesterlibraries.org/projectliberty/) to help parents, teachers, and caregivers connect children and teens with quality books and related sites on a number of subjects. Among the categories that appear are "Living in a Violent World," "Reassuring Words," "Celebrating America," "Making a Difference," and "Just for Fun."

For this column, the list "Friends and Enemies"is being highlighted as an ideal segueto the start of a new school year. Global issues begin on the playground. The skills required to form and to maintain friendships, to cope with bullies, and to resolve conflicts have ramifications on both the personal and societal levels.

Alex Is My Friend by Marisabina Russo. illus. by author. Greenwillow. Unusually small and sometimes needing a wheelchair, Alex maintains his friendship with Buddy, who is taller and runs faster… and laughs at Alex's jokes.

Alfie Gives a Hand by Shirley Hughes. illus. by author. Lothrop. Alfie goes to a birthday party and rescues his friend, Min, who is feeling even shier than he is.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman. illus. by Caroline Binch. Dial. Grace's family comes to her aid when she is told she has no chance to win the part of Peter Pan in the school play—because she is black and a girl.

Amos and Boris by William Steig. illus. by author. Farrar. A beautiful story about a mouse (Amos) and a whale (Boris) that meet when Amos's boat capsizes. Amos and Boris form a lifelong friendship. They learn from each other and grow to admire the very differences, which, under normal circumstances, would separate them.

Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki. illus. by Dom Lee. Lee & Low. Baseball becomes a way for Shorty, a young Japanese-American boy, to find dignity and self-respect behind the barbed wire of his World War II internment camp.

Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming. illus. by Floyd Cooper. Philomel. Christy comes to understand that Eddie Lee, a child with Down's syndrome, has something to teach her after all.

Bootsie Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner. illus. by Peggy Rathmann. Putnam. Nasty bully Bootsie, who likes to play biting games, gets her comeuppance! Satisfying.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. illus. by author. Greenwillow. Chrysanthemum suffers her classmates' teasing and taunting about her name, which she used to love. Supportive parents and a sympathetic teacher save the day.

Fighting Words by Eve Merriam. illus. by David Small. HarperCollins/Morrow. Verbal sparring turns creative when two bickering friends use colorful insults such as "nincompoop," "blunderbuss," and "lummox."

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles. illus. by Jerome Lagarrigue. S & S/Atheneum. It's 1964 and Joe's best friend is John Henry, an African-American boy. After passage of the Civil Rights Act, they eagerly anticipate jumping into the town pool together. Though cruelly disappointed, they are still determined to help bring about change.

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel. illus. by author. HarperCollins. Five wonderful stories about best friends Frog and Toad that show how friendship needs patience, empathy, humor, and understanding.

George and Martha by James Marshall. illus. by author. Houghton. Five little stories about hippo friends in everyday life situations. Their friendship includes playful teasing, understanding, honesty, and warmth—traits children will recognize in their own friendships.

Let's Be Enemies by Janice May Udry. illus. by Maurice Sendak. HarperCollins. John is fed up with his friend James's constant bossiness and decides that from now on they will be enemies. It does not take long, however, for John to change his mind.

Margaret and Margarita–Margarita y Margaret by Lynn Reiser. illus. by author. Greenwillow. Though Margaret speaks only English and Margarita speaks only Spanish, they have no trouble communicating when they meet in the park.

Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco. illus. by author. Bantam. A long-lasting friendship between an African-American child and Jewish widow is deftly explored in this tender, gently humorous, and exquisitely illustrated story.

My Friend and I by Lisa Jahn-Clough. illus. by author. Houghton. A new toy bunny is almost destroyed by two friends who won't share. A clever solution mends both bunny and hurt feelings. Written with a light touch and expressive, childlike illustrations.

Oliver Button Is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola. illus. by author. Harcourt. His classmates' taunts don't stop Oliver Button from doing what he likes best.

Rat and Tiger by Keiko Kasza. illus. by author. Putnam. Rat and Tiger are friends, but that doesn't stop Tiger, who is bigger, from bullying Rat. Pushed too far, Rat finally rebels and tells Tiger what he thinks of him. Having spoken his mind, Rat then worries that his words might lose him a friend or, worse, make him an enemy.

Shrinking Violet by Cari Best. illus. by Giselle Potter. Farrar. Shy Violet saves the day and the school play in this delightful story about bullies, friends, and finding one's voice. A winner.

Sister Anne's Hands by Marybeth Lorbiecki. illus. by K. Wendy Popp. Dial. When Sister Anne, an African American, arrives at a parochial school to teach second grade in the 1960s, Anna sees the effects of racism and prejudice. Some children leave the class, but those who stay learn a valuable lesson in opening their hearts.

Teammates by Peter Golenbock. illus. by Paul Bacon. Harcourt. The true account of the 1947 baseball season and the special friendship between two teammates—legendary Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese—that struck a blow to racial prejudice.

The Balancing Girl by Berniece Rabe. illus. by Lillian Hoban. Dutton. A first grader is adept at balancing things whether on crutches or in a wheelchair. She uses this ability to overcome the class bully and to benefit the school carnival, where she thinks up her greatest balancing act.

The Hating Book by Charlotte Zolotow. illus. by Ben Schecter. HarperCollins. A simple misunderstanding leads to hurt feelings and hate, but is resolved through communication.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson. illus. by E. B. Lewis. Putnam. Two young neighbors, one black, one white, realize that although they are each forbidden to climb over the fence, no one has ever said they couldn't sit on it.

The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill. illus. by Laura Huliska-Beith. Scholastic. Mean Jean is the Recess Queen. Nobody swings, jumps, bounces, kicks or plays anything until she says it is OK. Anyone who tried to say different was pushed, smooshed, and lallapalooshed. Katie Sue is the new girl in school. And, when she shows she is not a bit afraid of Mean Jean, curious things happen.

The Wimp by Kathy Caple. illus. by author. Houghton. Called a wimp by his older sister for not standing up to bullies, Arnold (a pig) gets the opportunity to help his sister cope with the very same threat.

Tom and Pippo Make a Friend by Helen Oxenbury. illus. by author. S & S/Aladdin. A perfect little story showing how sharing can lead to friendship. A little boy enjoys a sand bucket until its rightful owner takes it back. Tom has no intention of sharing his toy, but soon changes his mind—with good results.

We Are Best Friends by Aliki. illus. by author. Greenwillow. Robert's best friend, Peter, moves away and leaves him miserable and alone. When a new boy arrives at school, Robert realizes that he's not the only lonely one. A new friendship is found, but the old friendship is not forgotten.

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman. illus. by Kevin Hawkes. Candlewick. Rejected by his classmates, Wesley decides to start his own civilization. And he does—complete with an exotic garden, new language, counting system, and games. Children will cheer as Wesley proves that being different can be popular.

Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka. illus. by author. Scholastic/Orchard. Two strangers who meet on the street express themselves with minimal language that gives the feeling of a musical beat. One boy admits that he is sad because he has no friends. The other suggests that they become friends. This spare idea shows young people that they are not the only lonely ones in the world and that it's OK to reach out and offer friendship.

Yoko by Rosemary Wells. illus. by author. Hyperion. The other kids make fun of Yoko's lunch—it's sushi. Mrs. Jenkins, a quick-thinking teacher, intervenes with international food day—where each child brings in a dish representing his/her heritage. It doesn't work out quite as planned—but culinary diversity and new friendships are the result.