The past few years have brought a wealth of evidence for the impact of childhood trauma on lifelong health. The AAP has recognized the importance of childhood trauma with conferences (2015 Violence, Abuse and Toxic Stress: An Update on Trauma-informed Care in Children and
Youth) and resources (AAP Trauma Toolbox for Primary Care https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/healthy-foster-care-america/Pages/Trauma-Guide.aspx#trauma). Like many pediatricians, I have been grateful for the attention to and evidence base for an area of pediatrics I see on a daily basis but for which I have felt inadequately trained.
For those of us practicing in community primary care clinics, the challenge has been what to do once we have screened for and heard about our patients’ exposure to trauma. As a pediatrician with San Mateo County Clinics, I feel fortunate that my patients have more access to trauma informed mental health services than in many “safety net” systems. In practice, however, it is still sometimes difficult to connect patients with appropriate therapy. At the same time, I have found that referral is not necessary in as many cases as I might have thought. Many families have found basic education on current medical understanding of trauma and resilience to be very useful.
What has been missing, until now, has been a highly accessible way for families and others to talk with young children about trauma and resilience. Once I Was Very Very Scared by Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Ph.D. and Erich Ippen, Jr. fills that need. A picture story book, Once I Was Very Very Scared tells the story of several young animals who were scared by acute or chronic trauma and show reactions ranging from aggressive barking (dog) to hiding (turtle) or feeling ashamed (elephant). Guided by a wise porcupine, the animals learn how to talk about what they have been through, how to understand their feelings and how to find ways to feel better. Families in my clinic who have read Once I Was Very Very Scared with their children have found
the book to be enjoyable and useful. The book is available in English, Spanish, Arabic and Turkish. Free pdf versions in English and Spanish are available at www.piploproductions.com. Also available on the website are worksheets in English and Spanish for helping children understand their own feelings and choose healing activities. The worksheets ask, for example, “How are you like turtle?” and “What can help turtle?”
Why I like this book:
Chandra Ghosh Ippen has written a timely book for children who have experienced stressful and traumatic events, natural disasters, violence, and abuse. It is the perfect book to share with children who have family members involved in the aftermath of recent hurricanes. With the help of a cast of furry animal friends, the book encourages children to talk about what happens to them when they are scared.
Once I Was Very Very Scared goes into details about the physical symptoms the animals experience when something scary happens — tummy aches, sadness, uncontrollable thoughts, hiding, running, and not wanting to talk about it. With the help of a wise Porcupine, the furry friends begin to talk about how they feel inside when they are scared — angry, sad, ashamed, frustrated and embarrassed. The friends begin to learn new things to help them during scary times — talking to a parent, snuggling with Mom, listening to music, and playing with friends.
This books speaks to a common emotion of kids that they don’t always get to talk about. Adults assume kids go on an forget an event like a fire, an accident, a tornado or a parental argument. They don’t.
Erich Ippen’s lively and expressive illustrations give life to the conversations between the animals. They are richly textured, humorous at times and will appeal to children.
Resource: This is book is a perfect resource for parents, teachers, school counselors and therapists to use with children individually or as a group, depending upon the circumstances. For more information about the impact of stressful and traumatic events on children and how grown-ups can help, please visit the National Children’s Traumatic Stress Network.
