Bird and the Buttons: Healing Stories for Children*
by Leah S. Subotnik, Ed.D.; illustrated by Suzanne Hankins
The seven stories in this book address various problems that children may experience—being abandoned by a parent, the loss of a sibling, parental divorce, social isolation, adoption in middle childhood, and low self-esteem. Each story uses a metaphor to help the child find new ways of dealing with his or her situation, and each indirectly suggests that the child has the resources within to survive current difficulties and have a happy life.
STORIES
The Bird and the Buttons – a story for children who have been deserted by a parent.
The Baby Who Didn’t Come Home – a story for siblings of infants who have died at birth,
Sally the Ghost – a self-esteem story for children who critical adults in their life.
Barry’s Ear – a story for children who have parents that are divorced and are struggling in school.
Two Friends – a story for children experiencing divorce and struggling with friends.
Sylvia’s Gift – a story for children who are feeling isolated.
Sarah’s New Family – a story for children who have been adopted during middle childhood.
Written for children in psychotherapy, these stories are sufficiently "disguised" ("long ago" or "in another land") that the child's defenses are not raised. The messages, received on a deep, unconscious level, can play an important part in healing emotional injuries. A brief guide for therapists or parents is included.