A love of Mathematics and Science evolved into a Bachelor of Education, followed by Graduate Diplomas in Computer Science and Information Management.
As a teacher librarian, I became aware of the special relationships many students build with their school librarian, and how students often view their library as a safe place – a learning environment where they are able to explore ideas and be themselves.
After completing studies in Literature for Mental Health and Youth Mental Health First Aid, I began to investigate what research said about how
- Young Adult Fiction could mitigate the disruption of mental health issues in young people and
- Young Adult Cli-Fi might offer a pathway to addressing eco-anxiety.
My findings were presented at the Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment (ASLE) 2020 online symposium (hosted by University California at Santa Barbara) and in “Literature as a Lens for Climate Change” published in 2022.
In 2023 and Intuitive Inquiry into Narratives in Neuroscience became an Integrative Literature Review at Charles Sturt University; exploring the many ways that neuroscience provides scientific evidence of relationship between stories and human development.
The use of Narratives in Neuroscience has provided an abundance of scientific evidence in support of Developmental Bibliotherapy programs.
Developmental Bibliotherapy provides a framework for designing library programs aimed at assisting young people find their way through adolescence.
Judith Wakeman 2025
Narratives in Neuroscience ASLA Presentation on Vimeo
Developmental Bibliotherapy in the Classroom (Youtube)
Using Clifi to reframe Young People’s responses to Climate Change (Youtube)
Read4Life podcasts
Developmental Bibliotherapy on Prezi
Visit the other sections of the website for further information, references and activities.
Who is this web site for?
This web site is for
- School Librarians who are advocating for meaningful change in the lives of their students but are struggling with disappearing classes and shrinking budgets.
- Student Welfare Officers who have yet to discover why the School Librarian should be part of their Student Welfare Team and could be a valuable Student Welfare Resource.
- Curriculum Designers who want to provide meaningful and lifelong educational outcomes for their students but with a modest budget.
Developmental Bibliotherapy is a cost effective strategy which can help young people navigate adolescence. This web site contains evidence, arguments, activities and resources for School Librarians wanting to implement or advocate for Developmental Bibliotherapy in their school libraries.
Reading For Wellbeing Download
This booklet was designed to be used by teachers, librarians, student welfare officers and parents. It was not intended that this booklet be available to all students, but that it augment programs and insights of teaching and welfare staff, and provide guidance and understanding of reading matter for the Young Adults in their care. The booklet was compiled in 2019 so it should be supplemented by more recent publications from your own library collections.
Words to live by…
We’re fools if we dance, and we’re fools if we don’t.
Japanese Proverb
So we might as well dance.
Mastering others is strength.
Lao Tzu
Mastering yourself is true power.
Treat yourself like you would someone you are responsible for helping.
Jordan Peterson
Read For Life 