Research Article

TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE

Volume: 9 Number: 1 September 27, 2026
TR EN

TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE

Abstract

This study aims to analyze two picture books that address traumatic experiences through the lens of a linear psychological narrative, focusing on how the characters' emotional journeys affect child readers. The analysis is structured around the emotional phases of “Trauma- Acceptance- Hope” and examines how the verbal and visual language constructs a healing framework. The research adopts a qualitative methodology, employing semiotic and content analyses. Findings indicate that both books present a gradual, coherent, and restorative emotional progression, thus having the potential to support children in developing empathy, emotional recognition, and healing. Elements such as color, composition, perspective, and concise emotionally oriented text were found to be designed in alignment with the emotional transitions, facilitating both cognitive access to the narrative and a safe observational distance from traumatic experiences. In highlighting the therapeutic potential of trauma representation in children’s literature, the study demonstrates that picture books employing linear psychological structures can effectively foster emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience in young readers. In conclusion, the use of linear psychological narrative in picture books is shown to be a valuable tool both in classroom-based emotional education and in bibliotherapy-oriented counseling practices. Selecting trauma-themed picture books with pedagogical and therapeutic awareness may directly support children's emotional recovery processes.

Keywords

References

  1. Aiex, N. K. (1993). Bibliotherapy (Report NO. EDO-CS-93-05). Bloomington: Indiana University, Office of Educational Research and Improvement. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED357333)
  2. Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic Books. Crvenkovska, B., S. & Kosturanov, V. (2022). Benim görünmez evim. İstanbul: Albaraka Kültür Sanat ve Yayıncılık. [My Invisible House].
  3. Crum, S. (2008). Story skeletons: Teaching plot structure with picture books. Reading Rockets.
  4. Doll, B., & Doll, C. (1997). Bibliotherapy with young people: Librarians and mental health professionals working together. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
  5. Forgan, J, W. (2002). Using Bibliotherapy to Teach Problem Solving. Intervention in School and Clinic. Vol.38 number 2 pp.75-82.
  6. Gerstem, R. (1998). Recent advances in instructional research for students with learning disabilities: An overview. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 13(3), 162-170.
  7. Gresham, F. M., Sugai, G., & Horner, R. (2001). Interpreting outcomes of social skills training for students with high-incidence disabilities. Exceptional Children, 67(3), 331-344.
  8. Heath, M. A., Smith, K., & Young, E. L. (2017). Using Children’s Literature to Strengthen Social and Emotional Learning. School Psychology International, 38(5), 541-561. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034317710070 (Original work published 2017)

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Children's Literature, Literary Studies (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 27, 2026

Submission Date

April 27, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Arifoğlu, G. (2026). TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı Ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR), 9(1). https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL
AMA
1.Arifoğlu G. TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR). 2026;9(1). https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL
Chicago
Arifoğlu, Gökçe. 2026. “TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE”. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı Ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR) 9 (1). https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL.
EndNote
Arifoğlu G (September 1, 2026) TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR) 9 1
IEEE
[1]G. Arifoğlu, “TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE”, Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR), vol. 9, no. 1, Sept. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL
ISNAD
Arifoğlu, Gökçe. “TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE”. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR) 9/1 (September 1, 2026). https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL.
JAMA
1.Arifoğlu G. TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR). 2026;9. Available at https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL.
MLA
Arifoğlu, Gökçe. “TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE”. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı Ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR), vol. 9, no. 1, Sept. 2026, https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL.
Vancouver
1.Gökçe Arifoğlu. TRAUMA, EMOTIONAL FLOW, AND HEALING IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS: ANALYSIS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF LINEAR PSYCHOLOGICAL NARRATIVE. Uluslararası Çocuk Edebiyatı ve Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi (ÇEDAR) [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 1;9(1). Available from: https://izlik.org/JA54WX22HL

While uploading the article files prepared by the authors according to the International Journal of Children's Literature and Educational Research Journal Template (article files that are not arranged according to the magazine template will not be evaluated) to the system, you must use Turnitin, Plagium, iThenticate etc. for the article work to be uploaded to the system. The report obtained as a result of scanning by similarity scanning programs and showing that it has a maximum similarity of 20%, including the bibliography, must upload the Ethics Declaration Form and Copyright Transfer Form to the system.

Important Announcement: Please note that those who submit articles do not have to pay any processing fees, application fees or any fees for their articles to be published in the International Journal of Children's Literature and Educational Research (CHEDAR).

Additionally, there is no fast-track publication process, as each submission is subject to double-blind peer review.