Finding Release Through Reading: A Content Analysis of Bibliotherapeutic Literature Appropriate for Verbally Abused, Early Readers

Through literature, children can be taught healthy coping strategies and positive ways of interpreting the world around them. Properly discussing, interpreting, and matching books with a verbally abused early reader can motivate that student on more than one level. The purpose of this investigation was to address the following research question: What children’s literature might an educator recommend for early readers living with verbal abuse?A content analysis was completed of children’s picture books written for a primary grade audience living with verbal abuse at home. Two checklists and an annotated chart to frame three tiers, or levels, of evaluation were used to analyze the books. Each level narrowed the books to the most specifically accurate for use as bibliotherapy with verbally abused early readers. Each tier of evaluation reveals selections of books that may be useful for varying audiences. However, after picture books had been annotated with the chart in the third tier, a quality list of literature that represents a good fit for the verbally abused was created. Several evidence-based qualities typical among children’s books appropriate for bibliotherapy with this audience were identified. More specifically tailored to educators, counselors, and other adults selecting bibliotherapeutic literature for children dealing with emotional issues is the acronym CHARP. CHARP stands for the following list of necessary qualities in a book to make a best fit for a hurting child: (a) Coping Strategies, (b) Highlights an example of verbal abuse without other abuses attached, (c) Allows the child to see their own life in response to the book, (d) Relatable characters, and (e) Promotes discussion.Although there was more literature on the topic of verbal abuse for adolescent readers, it is a topic that can be taught as a preventative measure to younger students as well. Because verbal abuse overlaps with several other forms of abuse and trauma, it is an important issue to address. Overall, the results from this investigation provide professionals with insight on an underrepresented audience of students. The results also provide resources for meeting the students’ educational and personal needs.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Education (MEd)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Reading

Grantor dc:publisher

Bowling Green State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Venia, Kelly C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hendricks, Cindy

• Education
• Reading Instruction
• Early Childhood Education
• Counseling Education
• Bibliotherapy
• Book Selection
• Verbal Abuse
• Verbal Aggression
• Emotional Abuse
• Motivation

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363636879

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:bgsu1363636879