Pages & Play: The Power of Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy on Young Minds

Bijal Shah & Freya Howard
  • 0.0 (0)
  • PARENTING

Hi! It's Bijal from Book Therapy and Freya from Play Refuge, and we are SO excited to introduce our new six-part podcast series, Pages and Play: The Power of Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy on Nurturing Young Minds which brings together bibliotherapy and play therapy to explore how books and play can shape young minds. Each episode blends science, stories, book recommendations, and practical play tips to support adults and children. The series tackles key topics including building emotional literacy, embracing diversity, reducing anxiety, navigating grief, and raising teens, offering real-world strategies for parents, educators, and anyone curious. Please do subscribe to it wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode! Look forward to having you on board :) Freya and Bijal x #bibliotherapy #playtherapy #podcast #parentingpodcast

Episodes

  1. MAY 1

    Episode 6: Supporting Teens and Young Adults Through Play and Books

    In this final episode of Pages in Play, we explore the transformative journey from adolescence into young adulthood—and how bibliotherapy and play therapy can support young people through this complex stage. Teenagers are navigating big questions around identity, belonging, relationships, and purpose. In this episode, we unpack how stories and play create safe, powerful spaces for self-exploration, emotional processing, and connection. We discuss:  Why adolescence may extend into the early 30s—and what that means for parenting and support  How books help teens explore identity, reduce isolation, and build emotional insight  The evolving role of play therapy for teenagers (it’s not just toys!)  Practical ways to connect with teens, including walking “book clubs” and shared activities  A powerful real-life case study illustrating how play therapy supports grief, anxiety, and identity formation  Thoughtfully curated book recommendations to support teens navigating identity, relationships, and mental health We close the series with reflections, gratitude, and ways to continue the conversation. ⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters 01:05 – Introduction & why adolescence is a key developmental stage 02:00 – Teen identity: “Who am I?” and the role of narrative 03:22 – Research on adolescence extending into the early 30s 04:30 – Brain development, hormones & emotional shifts in teens 09:53 – What play therapy looks like for teenagers 13:34 – Giving teens agency in reading choices 16:29 – Case study: Willow (from Counting by Sevens) 18:00 – Anxiety, identity, grief & transitions in adolescence 20:00 – Inside the therapy room: observation, resistance & trust-building 24:00 – The importance of endings in therapy and development 25:46 – Narrative therapy & re-authoring your story 28:20 – Staying connected: curiosity, presence & shared experiences 29:21 – Book recommendations for teens (identity, belonging, mental health) 38:52 – Final reflections on the series 40:41 – Closing thoughts & goodbye Book Recommendations Are you there, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume.Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg SloanEvery Day by David LevithanTurtles All the Way Down by John GreenHeartstopper by Alice OsemanThe Final Year & The First Year by Matt GoodfellowAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire SáenzBibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading by Bijal ShahThe Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Support the show ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk

    38 min

  2. APR 24

    Episode 5: Navigating Grief and Loss Through Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy

    In this episode of Pages and Play, Freya and I discuss how bibliotherapy and play therapy can support children and adults navigating grief and loss, reviewing grief models including Kübler-Ross’s stages (noting its origins and nonlinearity), Lois Tonkin’s “growing around grief” metaphor (fried egg), and Shelly Gilbert’s upward-spiral model. We discuss how literature and poetry act as emotional translators through identification, catharsis, and insight, and introduce the “mirrors, windows, doors” framework for connecting to feelings and new understandings. The key to emotional regulation is framed as staying connected to oneself across emotional states rather than constant calm. We use the story of Goodbye Mog to illustrate how a parent used it to help her 7-year-old process their beloved pet cat’s passing through conversation, euthanasia preparation, and imaginative “ghost” play.  This episode also shares children’s and adult book recommendations, creative and play prompts, bibliotherapy techniques (poetry, letters, narrative re-authoring), and resources such as Winston’s Wish. 00:00 Grief and Loss Intro 00:15 Grief Models Explained 01:01 Life Grows Around Grief 02:19 Why Books Help Us Grieve 04:34 Poetry and Group Healing 08:05 Regulation Not Calm 10:05 Narrative Mirrors Windows Doors 15:19 Lucy and Luke Cat Story 21:13 Kids Books for Grief 22:43 More Recommendations and Memoirs 26:34 Play and Bibliotherapy Prompts 30:19 Rituals Creativity and Closing 32:02 Final Reflections and Goodbye Books Mentioned: The Invisible String by Patrice KarstThe Memory Tree by Britta TeckentrupThe Rabbit Listened by Cori DoerrfeldGoodbye, Mog by Judith Kerr Rabbitiness by Jo EmpsonMist Monster by Beautyman, KirstiOh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. SeussMum’s Jumper by Jade Perkin A Storm in a Jar by Samuel Langley-Swain and Katie Cottle The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason ReynoldsThe Astonishing Colour of After by Emily PanThe Grieving Teen by Helen FitzgeraldMy Year of Magical Thinking by Joan DidionLost and Found by Kathryn SchulzGrief Works by Julia SamuelFinding Joy By Gary AndrewsPlay Prompt: Recall Luke’s story to highlight compassion, the value of sharing narratives, and the importance of accepting emotions.Encourage children to express feelings and be open to your child’s imaginative journeys like Luke’s one of Misty.Recommend resources such as Winston’s Wish website for creative activities and conversation starters.Bibliotherapy Prompt: The key is not just which book you choose, but how you engage with itUse bibliotherapy techniques: reading/writing poetry, writing letters to lost loved ones, narrative therapyRead slowly, pause, ask questions, or sit quietly with the story together Themes: The healing power of play and storytelling.The transformative role of literature in therapy and self-discovery.Methodologies for recommending books to support mental health and emotional growth.Encouragement for parents to observe and nurtu Support the show ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk

    35 min

  3. APR 17

    Episode 4: Supporting Anxious Children Through Play and Books

    Hi everyone, we are half way through the series already! I hope you have enjoyed the first three episodes to date, and we are delighted to bring this fourth episode of “Pages and Play” where Freya and I explore how bibliotherapy and play therapy can support a child by enabling them to externalize their fears through story and symbolic play, and support their nervous-system regulation and emotional literacy.  We discuss research from Jonathan Haidt on the decline of play-based childhood and the rise of phone-based childhood, urging adults to be curious about children’s online lives.  We also share practical guidance including validating feelings, being transparent about what to expect, and building adult and child emotional regulation tools, including sensory strategies and narrative reflection prompts.  Our bibliotherapy client story illustrates the use of the picture book “Wemberly Worried” by Kevin Henkes to help a child label worry as a transitory visitor and practice reflective questions to navigate this worry/anxiety.  We end this episode, like all the others, with book recommendations for children, teens, and adults on anxiety, emotional literacy, and regulation. We hope you enjoy this episode and Pages and Play Series! And as always we’d love to hear your reflections and thoughts.  Chapters: 00:00 Anxiety Hidden Signs 00:47 Anxious Feelings Explained 03:18 Books And Play Heal 05:21 Play Therapy Benefits 07:17 Why Anxiety Rising 11:04 Support At Home 14:39 Wemberly Worried Story 20:48 Transparency Builds Safety 24:09 Adult Nervous System Check 28:25 Rewrite Your Inner Story 33:32 Book Picks For Anxiety 41:54 Closing Thoughts Book Recommendations: The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne BrysonRaising An Emotionally Intelligent Child by John GottmanAnxious Kids, Anxious Parents by Reid Wilson & Lynn LyonsNurturing Natures by Graham MusicRuby’s Worries by Tom PercivalThe Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia IronsideThe Invisible String by Patrica KarstThe Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen RutterThe Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm, and Tame Your Anxiety! By Rachel Brian The Final Year and The First Year by Matt GoodfellowFirst, We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah WilsonThe Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtWemberley Worried by Kevin HenkesThe Girl Who Thought in Pictures (Young Aspiring) By Julia Finley MoscaThe Lion Inside by Rachel Bright and Jim FieldThe Art Cure by Daisy FancourtWhat to do when you worry too much by Dawn HuebnerThe Anxiety Workbook for Kids by Robin Alter & Crystal ClarkeBreathe like a Bear by Kira WilleyFeelings by Aliki Support the show ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk

    43 min

  4. APR 10

    Episode 3: Building Belonging Through Identification, Representation, Diversity, and Inclusion in Books and Play

    Hi everyone! It's Friday again and we are excited to publish the third episode of “Pages and Play”. This episode  explores how bibliotherapy and play therapy support young minds through identification, representation, diversity, and inclusion. The discussion outlines bibliotherapy stages: identification (“shock of recognition”), representation across identities, diversity of perspectives, and inclusion as true belonging, with research noting fiction builds empathy, reduces prejudice, and strengthens theory of mind. Practical techniques include letter-writing to protagonists and narrative therapy (externalising problems, deconstructing dominant narratives, re-authoring hopeful stories).  A fictionalised case of Kya Clark from "Where the Crawdads Sing" in play therapy illustrates the process of navigating feelings of abandonment, conditional love beliefs, and finding belonging through nature narratives. We recommend a variety of book and resources including “My Grandmother’s Hands,” Robbie Harris’s “Let’s Talk About…” series, Elliot Page’s “Pageboy,” as well as reading lists on booktherapy.io and other diversity-focused sites. You can listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598949/episodes/18909353 Or wherever you listen to podcasts. Simply search for "Pages and Play" and subscribe so you don't miss an episode! I hope you enjoy this episode and Pages and Play Series! And as always we’d love to hear your reflections and thoughts.  x Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Pages and Play 03:26 Identification and the Shock of Recognition 05:41 Representation, Diversity and Inclusion 08:27 Inclusive Language in Play 10:30 How Fiction Builds Empathy Skills 16:28 Representation and Role Models 19:17 Letter Writing in Bibliotherapy 21:40 Narrative Therapy  25:12 Libraries for Reading Diversity 27:13 Case Study - Kaya in Play Therapy 37:17 Play Prompt  38:14 Book Recommendations and Resources 41:38 Closing Thoughts  Support the show ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk

    44 min

  5. APR 3

    Episode 2: Developing Emotional Literacy in Children Through Books and Play

    The episode of “Pages and Play” focuses on emotional literacy as central to bibliotherapy and play therapy, emphasising that children need language and safety to understand and express feelings, and that adults’ own emotional awareness is vital. We discuss how books and play provide safe ways to explore big emotions (anger, grief, anxiety, jealousy) and reduce shame, supporting co-regulation and later self-regulation.  We reference theories and research from Claude Steiner, Daniel Goleman, and Mia Kellmer Pringle on emotional security and learning. We discuss how hide-and-seek and the Hansel and Gretel fairytale illustrate how a child can process separation anxiety, attachment needs, and autonomy, alongside the importance of validating feelings. Practical prompts include body-based questions and open-ended reading discussions, plus book recommendations for children, teens, parents and caregivers. Learn how books from renowned authors like Brené Brown, Tom Percival, and Mark Wolynn can guide both adults and children through the complex landscape of emotional development. Whether you’re seeking guidance for yourself or your child, you’ll find resources to nurture self-awareness, compassion, and connection within your family. 00:00 Emotional Literacy Basics 01:21 Why Words Matter 02:28 Emotional Literacy Research and Foundations 04:01 Play Therapy Goals 04:50 Lessons from Hide and Seek 06:57 The Use of Fairytales in Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy 07:58 Hansel and Gretel Case Study 10:08 Characters as Containers 13:58 Multiplicity of Feelings 19:38 Body Signals and Questions 22:15 Building Secure Attachment through Hide and Seek 27:06 Back to the Hansel and Gretel Case Story 35:21 Imagination & Executive Skills 37:51 Bibliotherapy Reading Tools 42:47 Book Recommendations 51:59 Closing Takeaways Support the show ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk

    55 min

  6. MAR 27

    Episode 1: The Transformative Power of Story and Play on Childhood Development

    In this first podcast episode, we introduce bibliotherapy and child-centred play therapy, explaining how stories and play support children’s emotional, psychological, and social development.  We discuss the neuroscience and research behind how play and storytelling build neural pathways, executive function, language, emotional literacy, and agency. We also share our personal career journeys into the fields, suggest relevant book recommendations, and preview our next episode on emotional literacy. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and Overview 00:51 What Is Bibliotherapy 01:26 4 Bibliotherapy Pillars 02:39 Developmental vs Clinical Use 03:44 How Stories Help Children 05:05 Play Therapy Basics 06:18 Child-Centred Approach 08:58 Play Therapy Benefits 10:59 Trauma and Neurodiversity 11:36 Combining Story and Play Therapy 14:46 Why It Matters Today 15:27 The Science of Play and Story on Childhood Development 19:17 The Importance of Language  23:08 Safety and Environment 23:42 Making Time to Play 25:17 Our Personal Journeys 25:44 Freya's Path to Play Therapy 30:27 Bijal's Path to Bibliotherapy 35:15 At Home Play Prompts 38:45 At Home Reading Prompts 39:47 Relevant Book Recommendations 44:55 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview Support the show ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk

    47 min

  7. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Coming Soon! A Six-Part Series on Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy

    Hi! It's Bijal from Book Therapy and Freya from Play Refuge, and we are SO excited to introduce our new six-part podcast series, Pages and Play: The Power of Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy on Nurturing Young Minds which brings together bibliotherapy and play therapy to explore how books and play can shape young minds. Each episode blends science, stories, book recommendations, and practical play tips to support adults and children. The series tackles key topics including building emotional literacy, embracing diversity, reducing anxiety, navigating grief, and raising teens, offering real-world strategies for parents, educators, and anyone curious. The series launches on Friday 27th March and we will be publishing an episode every Friday over the course of six weeks. So please do subscribe to it wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode! Look forward to having you on board :) Freya and Bijal x Support the show ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk

    1 min

Trailer

About

Hi! It's Bijal from Book Therapy and Freya from Play Refuge, and we are SO excited to introduce our new six-part podcast series, Pages and Play: The Power of Bibliotherapy and Play Therapy on Nurturing Young Minds which brings together bibliotherapy and play therapy to explore how books and play can shape young minds. Each episode blends science, stories, book recommendations, and practical play tips to support adults and children. The series tackles key topics including building emotional literacy, embracing diversity, reducing anxiety, navigating grief, and raising teens, offering real-world strategies for parents, educators, and anyone curious. Please do subscribe to it wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode! Look forward to having you on board :) Freya and Bijal x #bibliotherapy #playtherapy #podcast #parentingpodcast

Information