Episode 8 – Bibliotherapy – How Books Can Heal

We know that books can make us feel better. But did you know there is a therapy that prescribes reading as a tool to improve your well-being?

Bibliotherapy is the healing art of reading and it’s helping children and adults to process life events, normalise their issues, offer relatable characters and situations and find healing between the pages of a book. While it is not a cure-all, scientific studies show that reading helps adults and children with certain health, mental and developmental conditions.

The origins can be traced to World War One, when soldiers were given books and poetry to ease their suffering and trauma. It returned in the 1990’s and has experienced a recent surge in popularity.

We talk to Bijal Shah, bibliotherapist, author, book curator and founder of Book Therapy about her reading journey. 

Find out more about Bijal’s work here. Her books: The Happiness Mindset and Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading.

26:30 Why do so many children love the Percy Jackson series? Tess Rayner, co-founder of Akasha School, interviews her son, 12 year old Tom, who is racing through the series.  

32:23 Our book reviews this month include Vampi The Flying Guinea Pig by Lori-Ann Preston, Bongi Ballerina Takes A Bow by Kristien Potgieter, Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love and Where The Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan.