The Joy Thief - A Story of Trauma and Hope

Sean McCallum

Summary

The Joy Thief! is a story that helps children and adults to discover more about a subject that is often difficult to understand. Demonstrating the subjectivity of trauma, The Joy Thief! highlights how a seemingly ordinary occurrence can have a significant impact upon the wellbeing of a child, particularly if left unaddressed. Challenging the idea that trauma only occurs during more "serious" incidents, The Joy Thief! leads us to conclude that such occurrences, or rather our responses to them, may be more significant for children's mental health than we would perhaps like to admit. The story of The Joy Thief! encourages help-seeking, while challenging adults to consider the way they handle such situations. The story is written in a person-centred fashion, seeking to normalize a range of outcomes that children may experience following a traumatic experience--including the little-acknowledged phenomena of imaginary "friends." Whilst highlighting positive themes of intersectional diversity, The Joy Thief! also challenges us to consider issues of parental absence, inattention, and invalidation within the context of the needs of children. Above all, The Joy Thief! is a story of hope. "This book demonstrates beautifully a gentle reminder to parents about the way that children can perceive the world and then models to children how talking about difficult things helps. Supporting better mental health and wellbeing for children is invariably about how the adults around the child respond to what is so often in front of our noses, yet we fail to always see." -- Lisa Cherry, schools, services & systems consultant, and author on trauma-informed and relationship focused practice (Twitter: @_LisaCherry) "The Joy Thief! is a joy to read and is a beautifully illustrated book with inviting and fun colours. The language is simple, using the idea of rhymes to communicate the powerful and crucial message of children sharing their fears and worries with a trusted grown up, so they can get rid of their Joy Thief and be happy. Learning to share our innermost anxieties and not hold onto trauma is an essential lesson that we need to teach at an increasingly early age." -- Deborah Somerset, safeguarding trainer and trauma-informed consultant. (Twitter: @DLSSafeguarding) "Sean McCallum has written a lovely book with vivid colors, rhyming text and a message. He describes how the unexpected appearance of spider frightens a young girl and the subsequent distress that builds up with repeated suppression of the memory. With psychological underpinnings, this book explores the impact of keeping upsetting thoughts pent up as well as the benefit of being able to share them with someone you trust. Highly recommended." --Laurie Zelinger, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, Board Certified Psychologist, author of Please Explain Anxiety to Me and Please Explain Alzheimer's to Me Learn More at www.TheJoyThief.Net From Loving Healing Press

Available since: 04/01/2022.

Print length: 32 pages.

Young Readers

Other books that might interest you

Six Napoleons The (Easy Classics)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,...

An illustrated adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes mystery – at an easy-to-read level for readers of all ages!
Kensington Outrage. Murder by Madman. Both the experienced detective, Mr Lestrade, and consulting expert, Mr Sherlock Holmes, have come to the same answer. The horrible series of events is the work of a madman, not a common criminal. No other story can explain the facts.
Someone is smashing Napoleon statues and the police have no idea why. Luckily, Holmes and Watson are on hand to help. Little do they know that these few small crimes will turn into one big adventure!

Show book

30 Silly Songs

Kim Mitzo Thompson

Sing and learn the alphabet, letter sounds, the days of the week and months of the year, colors, numbers, animals, personal safety rules, and more!

Show book

Reporters

Kieran Downs

Extra, extra! Read all about it in this informative book about the important work of reporters. Leveled text explores the daily work of newspaper and television reporters, while vibrant photos show these community helpers at work. Readers will learn what reporters do, where they work, and what skills make a good reporter. A unique feature highlights reporter gear and a picture glossary illustrates important terms.

Show book

The Ice Cream Mystery

Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Aldens are helping out at the Greenfield Ice Cream Barn. They are learning to make ice cream and creating some new flavors. But they soon notice that the ice cream isn't the only thing getting mixed up at the Ice Cream Barn. It appears that someone wants to shut the shop down! Can the Boxcar Children sort out this sticky mess before the Ice Cream Barn gets licked?

Show book

The Ghost Trap

Blake Hoena

Most ghosts love to scare people. But Will is not most like ghosts. He is shy and quiet and hates attention. When he hears other ghosts talking about haunting an old house to scare kids, he knows he needs to stop them. See if Will is brave enough to stop the scary ghosts in the early chapter book.

Show book

What's New?

Nancy E. Walker-Guye

Harriet, Felix, and Max were visiting their neighbor, Mrs. Mole. Felix and Max shared their new toys. But Harriet didn't have anything new to share with her friends. Mrs. Mole comforted her and reminded her that she learned a new dance which she could share with her friends. Soon everyone was dancing!

Show book