Sharing stories and books is an important part of helping children understand themselves, other people and the world in which they live. People are hardwired to make sense of the world through stories. It is the basis of psychotherapy, the root of history and the core of religious beliefs. Listening to the stories of others and sharing our own stories fosters healing and enhances problem solving.

Young people pick up on their parents' distress and anxiety. They overhear snippets of adult conversation or are overexposed to television news that focuses on 9/11 or the latest terrorist threats. Children and teenagers can become confused and frightened when they are dismissed with an "everything is all right", when clearly they can see and sense that everything is not all right. They need encouragement, sometimes, even permission or an invitation, to voice concerns and ask questions. Books can be very helpful in opening discussions with a child because they invite conversation. They can help by giving a child specific words, sometimes, even the very language of questions the child was struggling with.

Books should not be equated with medicine-to be read as a cure for an ill. "The first duty of the writer", explains Nobel Prize-winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer, "is to keep the reader turning the pages". Good books give pleasure--they entertain, they have the ability to engage a child's mind and emotions deeply.

While books are not a substitute for life experiences, actions or interactions-they are a rich and vital source of example, inspiration, and speculation. Because reading is a consequence-free activity, it allows children to think about disturbing scenarios-to safely 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, 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 uplift of humor or the companionship of heroes-there are books to offer meaning, hope and comfort.

Choose a time when you and your child are free of distractions. After reading, invite your child to share her concerns. If your child is reluctant to start, you might begin by talking about the child in the book. It is often helpful to talk about the book character's feelings to deflect from a situation that is too charged. Once a dialog is open, it is easier to bring up the child's own fears. And, if your child is not ready to talk, stories can still offer solace, reassurance and respite.

For older children and teens, timing is everything. There will be times they are eager to read about the events of 9/11 and its aftermath. Other times, they will find it oppressive, overwhelming or even (for that moment) irrelevant to their lives. Expect that young people will wax and wan and wax again in their interest and ability to think about the new realities of their world. Perhaps, most important and most meaningful to them-will be those books that offer hope and provide examples of courage for living in uncertain times.

Remember to listen to your child - he will let you know the kind of story he needs to hear. She will give "tell" you just how much information she is ready to take in. He will let you know if he wants a scary story or a tale of comfort and reassurance.

You will find the following books through your libraries and we encourage you to talk with your children's or young adult librarian for further recommendations.


Judith Rovenger
Youth Services Consultant
Westchester Library System