The Resolving Books series uses stories as a means of addressing topics that parents can sometimes find difficult
A FRIENDLY caterpillar who listens to both sides of the story and imparts helpful tips is the central character of a range of cartoon books aimed at equipping children with the necessary skills to deal with difficult situations such as bullying.
Aimed at children aged six to 12, the Resolving Books series uses stories as a means of addressing topics that parents can sometimes find difficult to broach with their children including anger and sibling rivalry.
“Children love stories. When we read a story of someone’s experience we connect with it. We experience it as if it’s real. That’s what we’re harnessing,” says Fiona McAuslan, mediator and conflict coach who co-wrote the series with Peter Nicholson.
“The use of cartoons immediately draws the children in. They experience different emotions through the characters in the books and as the story unwinds they see how you can handle the emotions in a better way and come to a better conclusion,” she says.
“They can engage with Dan who is being bullied. They go on a journey with him and learn skills that Dan uses to improve the situation.”
It’s Curley, a wise and worldly caterpillar who plays the role of mediator and teaches characters a wide range of conflict resolution and negotiation skills, which enable them to deal with difficult emotions and to cope with the challenging behaviour of others.
Curley the Caterpillar is the protagonist who brings about change, according to McAuslan. “Kids learn how to sit down and to brainstorm for ideas that will help the two of them sort out the problem,” she says.
“When we get angry the adrenaline stops us from being able to think. If we teach our child to take three breaths and to count to 10, it allows the adrenaline to subside and the brain to start working again. It’s all about calming down or cooling down.”
Other skills, all of which are used by McAuslan in her day-to-day work as mediator and conflict coach and which are located in a handy “toolbox” at the back of each book, include asking open questions which help children connect with the person with whom they are having a row.
McAuslan says the idea for the three-book series – Resolving Anger, Resolving Bullyingand Resolving Sibling Rivalry– came from her work where she was frequently asked for advice by concerned parents about how best to tackle issues of bullying, anger and quarrelsome siblings.
“People kept asking me about these subjects in particular, which affect a lot of children at some point in their lives, and I realised the need for these books.”
High on her agenda were stories which could be read by parents together with their children or by teachers with their classes.
“Usually when parents want to address a subject with their children they read a book themselves, then put it down and talk to their children. These are books you pick up and read together.
“It’s a safe way of exploring difficult subjects with your children . . . a means of introducing a subject in a way that opens conversation. It’s trying to bring a lot of these subjects out of the shadows and into everyday life.”
A corresponding website, which forms an integral part of the series and includes a section for children, gives parents and teachers an opportunity to find out more about the topics raised.
“Musicians in an orchestra or rugby players are trained to deliver their best in highly pressurised situations with high levels of adrenaline . . . here we’re equipping children with the know-how to deal with conflict in the best way possible,” says McAuslan, a former violist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.
Future subjects being considered as part of a follow-on series include bereavement, separation and exclusion, as well as a book which addresses the issue of bullying from the point of view of the bully.
“We’re not preaching to kids. We’re not saying you shouldn’t get angry . . . instead they learn what it’s like to be angry or to be bullied in a safe way and come up with ideas of how they can improve their own lives.”
The Resolving Books series is being launched by Fergus Finlay of Barnardos at Drumcondra Education Centre, Dublin, at 4.30pm today. They are available at Veritas and bookshops nationwide. See veritas.ie and resolvingbooks.com
