Bibliotherapy: Wellness in Picture Books

Most marshmallows live in ordinary homes with ordinary families. Most marshmallows go to marshmallow school where they learn to be squishy. Most marshmallows read a little before bed and dream normal marshmallow dreams. But not all marshmallows. Some marshmallows are different. They stand out from the crown. They dare to dream bigger.

Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures, but she quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary, and they didn't think women should be scientists. Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname "Shark Lady." Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared -- and that women can do anything they set their minds to.

One young woman, Miss Lily Todd, is inspired and she'll do whatever it takes to fly. But oh, no, no, no. At a time when becoming sky-born is already a challenge, Lily has more than gravity holding her down. Will she fly?

Michael Jordan. The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best, but as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams all because he feared he'd never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That's when his mother and father stepped in and shared the valuable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion -- patience, determination, and hard work.

Jane loves to be outside with the animals. Sitting in the branches of her favorite tree, reading Tarzan of the Apes, she imagines a life helping all the amazing creatures in the jungles of Africa. Come with Jane as she explores our magical world and makes her dreams come true!

Once, there was a pig who admired birds. But he could never join them. Could he? Thus begins the journey of a pig with big dreams -- and the perseverance to make them come true. He develops flight plans, builds experimental contraptions, and has far-flung adventures, but at the end of the day, his favorite thing to do is still to sit and watch for those he loves best: the birds.

Katherine, Dorothy, Mary, and Christine were all good at math. Really good. And it was their understanding of numbers that helped them do what seemed impossible. They were women, and they were African-American, and they lived during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But Katherine, Dorothy, Mary, and Christine were hardworking and persistent and, most important, smart. And that's why NASA hired them to do the math that would one day send the United States into space for the very first time.

From average student to record-setting astronaut...Scott Kelly wasn't sure what he wanted to be when he grew up. He struggled in school and often got in trouble with his twin brother. Then one day he discovered a book about test pilots and astronauts that set him on a different path to a record-breaking year among the stars.

"Press Box: Women and Children Not Admitted" -- So read the press pass that Mary Garber had to wear as a reporter at sporting events. It was embarrassing, even insulting, but in the 1940s, sports -- and sports reporting -- was a man's world. Mary didn't let that stop her. She never let anything stop her, really. For close to fifty years, Mary shined the spotlight on local heroes whose efforts might otherwise have gone unnoticed. "That's Miss Mary Garber, and she doesn't care who you are, or where you're from, or what you are. If you do something, she's going to write about you." This is the story of a woman who pursued her dream and changed the world.

In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Career options were few. There were certainly no female doctors, but Elizabeth refused to accept these common beliefs and would not take no for an answer. This is the story of how one strong-willed woman opened the doors for all the female doctors who followed.

Zoe is sure that she can be anything she wants to be despite a little voice of doubt that points out problems with her ideas -- but first she needs to learn how to read and write.

Will I ever grow up? I have big ideas...and lots of things I want to do. I am in a hurry to be big! Do you think I will ever be big like you? When a young boy imagines what he might be and do one day, his mother assures him that he can be anything, and she will always be there for him.

When I grow up, what shall I be? This exuberant book offers up everything from a paper plane folder to a puppy dog holder, from a silly joke teller to a snowball smoother. This book is an imaginative joyride about hopes and dreams, and a reminder of all the possibilities life has to offer. So, what do you want to be? Remember -- you can be anything!

Since he was a baby, all the members of Maurice's family think he will take up their careers, until one day they discover he has a special gift of his own.

A wonderful tour of a variety of jobs and the tools they use to fix, build, and create.

Late at night, when the owls are out, some people are awake -- and doing all sorts of interesting things! They are on the night shift. Open this book, and you will discover the nighttime world of people who go to work when you are sleeping.

Sara Mee turns one today, and family and friends are gathering for her tol, or first-birthday celebration. Food and presents abound, but most exciting of all is the traditional Korean prophecy game, called the toljabee, which predicts what Sara Mee will be when she grows up. Will she be a scholar? A writer? A soldier? An artist? A cook? Her big brother Chong can't wait to find out.

Pig Pig thinks of all the jobs he could get, from cook to auto mechanic, and is enthusiastic about performing similar tasks for his family at home.

When Francisco, a young Mexican-American boy, tries to help his grandfather find work, he discovers that even though the old man cannot speak English, he has something even more valuable to teach Francisco.

A lemonade stand in a snowstorm? No one will be on the street! No one will want cold drinks! But Pauline and her little brother, John-John, are already jumping with the idea. Now they just have to find some customers...Learn to count coins with Pauline and John-John as they collect their quarters, buy ingredients from the corner store, and -- yes! -- actually sell lots of lemonade.

Momma comes home from work, tired and sore from a long day at her job. She's a stonecutter now, helping to build "Big John" -- the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. She works for many weeks on just one stone, and her son John wonders how she does it. When at last Momma's stone is finished, John can't wait to see it. But when he arrives at the cathedral, he can't believe it is just one plain stone -- where is Momma's name? How will all the people know this is Momma's art?