THE HEALING LIBRARY: Separation & Divorce

Best Users: Public Libraries, School Libraries, Family Centers
Best Audience: Children Grades 01-04

 

HEALING LIBRARY KIT

The Healing Library is a project that assists families in their healing journey with kits available for check-out at participating libraries. Each kit features picture book(s), art and play therapy activities, conversation starters, and more to help a family through times of trauma or change.

“Each Healing Library kit is acknowledgement and commitment to the fact that books heal and that the guided use of books can heal in a deeper manner.”
—Founder & Librarian, Megan Emery

The Healing Library provides free PDF packs to librarians so they can build their own suitcase or backpack of healing tools. Current packs include Death of a Loved One, Death of a Pet, Alzheimers and Your Family, and now, Separation and Divorce.

Barefoot Books’ picture book Here and There is at the center of the The Healing Library’s backpack kit on Separation and Divorce.

In the book, Ivan moves between his mother and father’s apartments after a family separation, carrying a blue and red backpack. A backpack like this is how we hope you will carry the mission of The Healing Library into your community.

What does this The Healing Library kit include? Watch the “unboxing” of the backpack!

The kits are produced by the combined efforts of:
• Therapist, Author, LCSW, Bonnie Thomas
• Librarian and Founder, Megan Emery
• Curious City Kit Creator, Kirsten Cappy

 

Create & Build a Healing Library Backpack

DOWNLOAD The Healing Library: Separation and Divorce (PDF)

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Here and There
By Tamara Ellis Smith
Illustrated by Evelyn Daviddi
Published by Barefoot Books
ISBN-13:9781782857419 (Hardcover)
ISBN-13:9781782857426 (Paperback)
Age Range: 4-8 Years

A young boy, Ivan, experiences the early stages of his parents’ separation and finds hope in the beauty and music of nature. This tale of personal growth will provide a much-needed mirror for children in times of change — and an important reminder for all that there’s beauty everywhere you look.

 

 

“Appropriately, this isn’t a happily-ever-after story but one that offers affirmation and hope for kids navigating parental separation…Needed everywhere.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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“No divorce comes without adjustment, the book indicates, but, given time, separate homes need not feel so separate.” —Publishers Weekly
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“This picture book offers a child’s perspective on separation…A tender book best shared one-on-one.” —School Library Journal