Last week it was World Book Day. A day that often focuses on the wonderful colourful and imaginative characters that fill our pages; and that can sometimes underplay how important those characters and stories are for our wellbeing.
Books are so important for our social, emotional and mental wellbeing; for our awareness, education and compassion for ourselves and others. We learn, we share, we reflect on the stories, challenges and journeys. Where characters can experience and express things many of us may have also experinced, but potentially felt unable to share.
Books can often be where we first discover different challenges, successes and journeys. And potentially where we start to build our own knowledge and confidence to share ours.
Children's Books
Books and storytelling play a diverse range of important roles within our life's. I believe this is particularly relevant when looking at children's or young adult books and stories, where themes or messages maybe less direct, but still include the opportunity for reflection and consideration (if/ when the young person is ready and able to).
For example Henry's (who is 20 months old) current regular books include: The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom, Oi Frog and Ten Minutes To Bed (series). And in The Gruffalo, a fun children's story, there are themes and messages being presented:
Themes and messages
Creative thinking: The mouse repeatedly outsmarts larger predators. Helping children learn how to problem solve.
Strength isn't always best or right: The mouse uses his intelligence and words to best larger stronger creatures.
Importance of imagination: The mouse imagines something, and then discovers it's real/ possible. Potentially sparking creative and imaginative opportunities.
Trust in your abilities: The mouse is articulate, and talks his way out of trouble multiple times; despite being smaller, and initially unprepared.
Managing emotions: After initial panic mouse manages his emotions to reflect on what he can do in that situation, and how best to utilise his skillset in it.
Adult Books
There's also the books much more focused on sharing and support adult conversations about mental wellbeing and health. In fact there's more than books; there's books, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, campaigns and projects. All are great ways to share stories, experiences and messages.
Following on from World Book Day (March) and National Storytelling Week (February) I think it's a great time to reflect on those books, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, campaigns and projects and how they have impacted you. Have they informed, or educated you? Did you enjoy them? Or empathise with the author's experiences or insights?
Reading/ discovering other people’s stories helps to increase our awareness, education and compassion for ourselves and others. And when we are ready and feel safe to, sharing our own can also add to the resources and support available for someone else; looking for insights, compassion, and or support in not feeling alone.
Some (not an ad) books and authors I would highly recommend are:
📖 Matt Haig - Midnight Library
📖 Cara Lisette - Recovery Journal Series
📖 Johnnie Lowery - Match Fit (Mental Health in Football)
📖 Katie Columbus & Samaritans - How to listen
📖 James Withey - ‘How to’ Series
📖 Poppy O'Neill - Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Want to discover more mental health and wellbeing books? Visit your local library or book store.
What Next?
This week I’m encouraging YOU to consider the different ways you learn, discover, engage or support story sharing and if there’s something more you’d like to do. If you're reading this I'm assuming mental health and wellbeing might be your thing, but this can be applied of any area of interest, passion or lived experience.
Do you listen to podcasts?
Do you read books, articles, blogs, comics?
Do engage with projects or campaigns?
If your area of interest/ passion/ knowledge/ lived experience is mental health and wellbeing and you’d like to share more; I’ve got podcast guest slots in the summer, send me a message or check out this page for more information.
Have a great week;
Get reading and support your favourite books, authors, storytellers and campaigners.
Blogger's note: This post does not include sponsored content. None of the services, projects, authors or charities mentioned have seen this post before it is published, nor have they instructed me on what to say. The views, experiences, thoughts and insights expressed in this post are my own. The links included are direct web links and are not affiliate links.