Naming The Dragon: Where Trauma & Children’s Literature Meet

Ashley Artavia Novalis will take a closer look at the relationship between childhood adversity and storytelling.

What do children’s literature and storytelling have to do with trauma?

Those of us who are children’s literature enthusiasts tend to be somewhat idealistic, believing that some book, some story, some poem can speak to each individual child, and that if we have the time and resources, we can find that book and help to change that child’s life, if only for a brief time, and only for a tiny bit. On the other hand, we are realistic to know that literature, no matter how powerful, has its limits.”

– Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop

Expanding on her essay in Wild Things and Castles in the Sky published by Square Halo Books, Ashley Artavia Novalis will take a closer look at the relationship between childhood adversity and storytelling.

• What happens in a child’s brain when trauma is experienced & how does reading relate to that?
• How do stories help develop a language for suffering?
• What are literature’s limits & what do we do about it?
• And what do dragons have to do with any of this?

Using the research and works of Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, G.K. Chesterton, Fred Rogers, and others (and with a slew of children’s books in tow), we’ll explore how children’s literature can be a social emotional learning tool in responding to trauma and processing pain in safe, honest, and creative ways.

We excited to hear what Ms. Novalis has to say about all of this and more!

Ashley Artavia Novalis has spent a decade working in early childhood settings through non-profits and partnerships with public schools and community programs. Most recently, she has worked in childhood behavioral health through a local counseling agency.

She is passionate about mental health advocacy, transformative justice, and good empanadas. She lives with her husband, Joshua, in the East Side of Lancaster City, PA, where they love reading books, watching Netflix, and attempting to garden.

Post-Forum Pub Walk & Talk

Join Tom Becker, Ashley, and her husband Josh at about 8:45 for a nice stroll to an establishment where we can talk further about her presentation or anything else that comes up.

No reservation or ticket needed.

It’s our way of “engaging current culture with ancient faith” by extending the conversation.

We desire your input and wanna hang out, so get on down!