Abstract:

The topic of bibliotherapy is very relevant during the global pandemic facing modern society. The desocialization caused by the measures taken in a number of countries in the world has led to changes in everyday life. Attempts to transfer communication entirely to an electronic environment have raised many questions. Based on this type of monotonous communication, learning, work, a number of problems appear, people begin to feel lonely, apathetic, confused, etc. Among the most vulnerable groups are children, because it is important for them to communicate with their peers, to play and learn together, to meet challenges and gain experience and to get to know the world first hand. It is important to explain to them what is happening, what has caused the changes in their daily lives, how to protect themselves and their loved ones, how to express their emotions, how to talk about what worries them when they face a new and fast changing reality.

The book using as a tool to support these processes reveals the therapeutic and educational possibilities of the combination of text and illustration. The power of speech combined with visualization creates a relaxed environment for the perception of information in children. The power of the artistic text enhanced by the means of visual art, through the colors, shapes and compositions in the illustrations and the overall layout of the book have the potential to be used for therapeutic and educational purposes in symbiosis.

The report presents and analyzes illustrated books that have been created to support the processes related to the perception of the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are publications that are especially designed to support the mental and emotional state of children. This is done in a way that is understandable and accessible to children. By offering facts and reliable information adapted to different age groups in a more attractive and fun way, children are able to perceive what is happening. Because in all the previous emergencies that the world has gone through, the need to work to deal with the fears and anxieties of children caused by abrupt changes has become stronger.

Keywords:

COVID-19, desocialization, children, illustrated books, bibliotherapy.