Parents, child life specialists, and teachers are always looking for a book to help kids cope with a challenging situations. Maybe it’s a new medical diagnosis, understanding the loss of a loved one, or relocating after a natural disaster. Books can provide a safe space for children, through validation and learning new coping skills.
I’m thrilled to introduce our guest blogger, Laura Camerona. She is a child life specialist, parent, and founder of Words Worth Repeating
Guest Blogger, Laura Camerona, Founder of Words Worth Repeating
Words Worth Repeating (WWR) is a child life specialist-owned business that creates books for families and organizations. WWR was founded on the idea that kids benefit from getting the information they can understand from the people who love and care for them. WWR creates customized books for specific children and families. WWR also partners with organizations to create more global books that can support children going through similar situations such as: having a sibling in the NICU, losing a loved one to suicide, or losing a baby to stillbirth. The books are written by a Child Life Specialist and use many phrases or descriptions that have proven helpful in real-life situations.
It’s not just a product, it’s a service.
The goal is to provide a comfortable process where WWR and a family collaborate to create a product that gives children the words they need to express their feelings and understand their situation. These books can be used as a way to educate their peers and classmates, support kids, who are grieving and give parents words to have hard conversations. Many families find that the process of creating these books with Words Worth Repeating is therapeutic. Words Worth Repeating gathers information from families through email or video chat. Families receive support and advice regarding what words and support might be helpful for their children. The words for the books are written by a child life specialist, but families always have the last say and the ability to change every aspect. Photos from the family are used as illustrations from the book but are supplemented with watercolor illustrations and color to pull kids in.
Journey Books
A customized children’s book about any condition a child or their loved one is experiencing. It is impossible to find a book about a condition that has all the details just right. WWR offers the ability to create a book about an individual’s journey. A child life specialist, who has experience with children in stressful healthcare situations, will work with you to create a book specifically about your child or your child’s loved one and their diagnosis, illness, or disability. Some examples of subjects that WWR has created Journey Books about are: diabetes, cancer, hand anomaly, rare syndrome, loved one’s dementia, and a loved one’s intellectual disability
Legacy Books
A customized children’s book about a loved one who has died (could be a recent death of someone the child never met). Help keep the legacy of their loved one alive, by having a storybook about them created. Books are written in words that children can understand and focus on the connection between the child and the deceased person. General concepts about death, death rituals, and/or your family’s beliefs can be included. WWR will collaborate with you to create the right book for your child and your situation. These books can be appropriate for a recent death or a relative they never met. Your child can tell you about the characters in their books and TV shows, but do they remember everything about their loved one who has died?
Universal Books
WWR has self-published a few books based on needs experienced while working in a children’s hospital. These books were created in a way that represents no specific race, culture, religion, or family demographics. The books are written in a way that helps caregivers start conversations, explain complex topics, and support feelings. These hard words are put right into the caregiver’s mouths
In addition, WWR now partners with organizations to create additional books that focus on each organization’s mission to educate and support unique groups and families. Most recently, WWR is publishing a book created in partnership with the Iowa SIDS Foundation to support siblings after a SIDS death and a book in partnership with Mindspring Mental Health Alliance to support feelings and educate after a child’s loved one dies of suicide. Click here to learn more.
How to connect
Words Worth Repeating is excited to collaborate and create something unique and special. For more information, check out our website: www.wordsworthrepeating.com and follow Words Worth Repeating on Facebook: @WordsWorthRepeatingBooks or on Instagram: @words.worth.repeating Several of WWR’s Universal Books are also available on Amazon and other online outlets.
Our winner of the giveaway will get to choose between a Universal Book or a 15% discount to a Customized Book Creation.
Choose one or more ways to enter:
1. Sign up for email notifications at ChildLifeMommy.com and leave a comment below.
2. Facebook: Follow Child Life Mommy and tag two friends.
3. Facebook: Follow Words Worth Repeating and leave a comment about the giveaway.
4. Instagram: Follow @ChildLifeMommy and @Words.Worth.Repeating and tag two friends in the post.
Good Luck, the winner will be chosen on 6/24/22.
