With medical advice from PD Dr. Anna-Maria Dittrich, pediatrician in the Clinic for Pediatric Pneumology, Neonatology and Angiology at the MHH and scientist at DZL, two books in a series of „psychological children’s books“ have recently been published by the Hogrefe Publishing Group on the subject of bronchial asthma and neurodermitis.

The books have been developed by students from the Department of Psychology and the Department of Germanistics and Art at the University of Marburg. The new series is mainly aimed directly at children between 6 and 12 years, but also at their parents, relatives and therapists.

At the heart of the children’s books in this series there is always a hero or heroine who, because of his or her illness, experiences fears and worries but finds ways to deal with them – and finally also to overcome them. The books encourage young readers to take action using colourful participatory pages to get to know themselves better. In addition, the books offer information on the burdens experienced by the parents and supply further addresses and contacts. The child-friendly disease information, solution strategies for conflict situations and motivation strategies in the sense of a psychoeducation presented in the books provide proven supportive strategies to deal with all chronic diseases.

Asthma and neurodermitis are among the most frequent diseases occurring in childhood. „With these two books, subjects will be addressed, which have up to now been too seldom the focus of care for children with asthma and allergies. The psychosocial burden caused by these diseases often affects the whole family and can lead to coping strategies which make dealing with the diseases difficult”, Dr. Dittrich explains the motivation for her involvement in the development of the books. „The books can contribute towards recognizing this challenge and generating possible family-friendly solutions. They are therefore ideally suited for display in pediatric practices and hospital surgeries, to give the children and their parents waiting there food for thought.“

Text: BREATH/ AMD, AZ

Foto: © 2021 Hogrefe Verlag, Bern

Link: https://www.hogrefe.com/de/psychologische-kinderbuecher