Bibliotherapy is not a new medium for therapeutic care but can sometimes still be met with a sideways glance. School of Life’s most recent publication, Big Ideas from Literature, is the resource I have been pining for since beginning to use bibliotherapy in practice. This book lays out the important role literature plays in our development of emotional vocabulary, communication, and affect regulation. While the word “bibliotherapy” never appears in the book, each chapter helps illustrate the powerful role of the written word. I’m a BIG BIG fan of this publishing house and Big Ideas from Literature only solidifies my feelings on the matter!

This is my first experience of The School of Life, what a wonderful concept.

I only scan read this one before handing over to my 9 year old who devoured it. She is an avid bookworm and so many facets of this book appealed to her. She loved reading about the invention of literature and tracing its history and the book gave her tools to understand, on a deeper level, some of her favourite novels whilst also providing her with a new reading list of books she hopes to read and helping the Christmas list in the process.

Definitely one I will purchase upon publication as I know it will be returned to again and again and I am going to look for the previous books from The School of Life.

A huge thumbs up and recommendation from my daughter for anybody who loves reading.

This was a fascinating read about the role that literature has played and will continue to play in our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed the first section about the history of books and the written word linked to different historical time periods. I love the idea of book being like friends.

As someone obsessed with literature, this book feels very enjoyable to read. The picture was also pleasant to see and a great companion to the book content.
This book is great for middle-grade children and adults who accompany them to read together. There are some book recommendation as well for future references.
Thank you Net Galley and The School of Life for e-copy for Big Ideas from Literature. I'm looking forward for the next book in the series.

I didn’t realise this was a children’s book but once I started reading it I didn’t care. It’s fascinating! Starts with the history of books, how they were made, how they’ve developed and the ways they’ve changed. Loads of good stuff in there. Then they talk about specific books and how they have ‘lessons’ for the reader. The choices are wide and varied - The Little Prince, Anne Frank, Confucius. There’s information about how fairy tales pre-Disneyfication had a moral and allowed parents to guide their kids through difficult times.

This is a clever, well put together deeply moving look at the way books can influence us and change lives.

Recommended if you have intelligent children who love books. Or kids who are not sure about reading and need encouraging. Something for everyone in here.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.