Submitted by Barbara Bryant, SLP, Children’s Therapy
Books are an amazing resource we can share with the children (and adults!) in our lives. A good book can give you a peek into a place you have never visited, a job or activity you have never done, or meet characters living a completely different life than yours. They can also help you realize that there are other people who feel the same as you or have had similar experiences, and that you are not alone.
At Children’s Therapy, we pride ourselves on supporting our diverse community year round, and our staff is committed to being a warm, welcoming and safe place for any patient or family member who walks in our doors. We have worked to make sure our books and pictures used in therapy encompass a wide variety of characters, family types, and messages about self-acceptance. Here are five of our favorite books featured for Pride Month!
- A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester – A cute story of a porcupine and a rhinoceros who bond over having names who don’t quite fit them, and finally realizing they get to define who they are, not their names.
- Annie’s Plaid Shirt by Stacy B Davids – A young girl needs to get dressed up for a wedding, but her mom wants her to wear a dress while she wants to wear her comfortable plaid shirt. Annie’s brother helps her figure out a way to express herself that keeps her true to herself.
- Pink is for Boys by Robb Pearlman – This simple board book of colors reminds us that all of the colors of the rainbow are for all kids.
- Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B Schiffer – Stella’s class is having a Mother’s Day celebration, but she isn’t sure who to invite because she has two fathers. This sweet book reminds us that families come in all sorts of shapes and sizes as she finds a heartwarming solution.
- Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino – Morris Micklewhite loves school, especially the dress-up corner with a beautiful tangerine dress. But the other kids in the class tell him boys shouldn’t wear dresses. Morris’ imagination helps his classmates realize that what Morris wears is the least important thing about him.
Learn more about Children’s Therapy at Valley Medical Center at valleymed.org/childrenstherapy.
