Barbara Braun McDonald Talks About Unhealed Traumas Among Children in “When the Bough Breaks: A Story For Children Suffering Natural Disasters”

Barbara Braun McDonald’s picture book “When the Bough Breaks: A Story For Children Suffering Natural Disasters” was featured at the New York Library Association (NYLA) 2022 Annual Conference & Trade Show, held last November 3-4, 2022, at the Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY.

“When the Bough Breaks” provides emotional support for children struggling with trauma after a natural disaster. The book is like a child-friendly guidebook that shares helpful ways to help a child from trauma and deal with separation anxiety, sleeplessness, and flashbacks; since these are the primary factors that can trigger them.

The weather is one thing that is beyond the control of human beings. It is inevitable, nd people can’t do something how to stop it. The lack of control in natural disasters can be terrifying for both adults and children. Pretending that everything is fine after a natural disaster can only drive the trauma deeper for the young ones and can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

The author and her family were victims of Hurricane Bob, which happened way back in 1994. Seeing their seven-year-old daughter struggling with overwhelming emotions caused by it, is a heartbreaking scenario for her. With the help of her artist daughter-in-law, Celine, they are able to come up with a fictional story about the bird family going through the same situation as theirs and there Barbara incorporates effective methods in making children fully grasp their emotions. Validating their emotions is one way that can help lessen their trauma and triggers.

Read the full story of Barbara Braun McDonald’s “When the Bough Breaks: A Story For Children Suffering Natural Disasters.” Grab a copy on Amazon.

“When the Bough Breaks: A Story For Children Suffering Natural Disasters”
Author | Barbara Braun McDonald
Published date | October 31, 2015
Publisher | Outskirts Press
Genre | Children, Bibliotherapy

Author Bio

Barbara Braun-McDonald APRN, LMHC has worked with children and families for over twenty years in clinics, residential programs, and outpatient settings. She has focused on adoption, attachment disorders, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety disorders. Barbara is a clinical nurse specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, a mental health counselor, a registered attachment and play therapist and a former board member of ATTACh. She has presented internationally on attachment disorders, child psychology, and play therapy. Barbara is a mom, foster mom, and grand mom on Cape Cod where she lives with her husband and maintains balance with gardening, swimming, and reading.

Contact Information

Ralph Gaso

Author Relations Officer

ReadersMagnet LLC

authorrelations@readersmagnet.com