When the Bough Breaks: A Story for Children Suffering Natural Disasters
When hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or tornadoes happen, everyone in their path is affected, including the youngest of children.
is a fictional story that helps preschoolers and elementary school children process their trauma after they have been displaced from their homes by natural disasters.
In the story, baby birds are tossed from their nest and are unable to find their parents. This may happen to children during natural disasters. The baby birds are taken in by unknown creatures and are frightened. These strangers, representing neighbors, volunteers, first responders and child service workers, help the babies find their parents and help the family to rebuild their life.
Author Barbara Braun-McDonald, APRN, LMHC, is a child therapist working with children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With
When the Bough Breaks
, she uses bibliotherapy to introduce hard-to-talk-about topics with children.