245. Why you should use picture books in school counseling with Laura Filtness

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Throughout April, we’re featuring guest sessions with experts in the field, and today’s episode is especially exciting. I’m joined by Laura Filtness, M.Ed., a seasoned school counselor with over 15 years of experience and a passion for using picture books to support young minds in elementary settings. Laura’s belief in the power of storytelling shines through her work, and she’s also the author of the upcoming book My Brain Is Like a Puppy, inspired by her beloved therapy dog, Boss. In addition to counseling, Laura teaches yoga and Pilates, assists clients in home organization through Help You Dwell, and enjoys tackling renovation projects at home. She currently lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her two dogs, Brooklyn and Bindu.

In this episode, Laura shares why picture books are such an effective tool in school counseling, both for proactive lesson planning and reactive student support. She talks about how a sticky note with a book title and a few theme ideas often serves as her simple yet flexible lesson plan. Having two or three potential discussion directions in mind allows her to pivot based on how students respond. This approach gives students space to take ownership of the conversation while making lessons feel natural and engaging.

Laura also opens up about the organization system in her counseling office. For years, she used topic-based book bins and included printed companion resources stored in large Ziploc bags. After relocating to a smaller portable office, she adapted by placing hardcover books on a bookshelf and keeping thinner paperbacks in bins. Her adaptable system ensures that everything is accessible and categorized by topic for ease of use during lessons.

We also dive into the logistics and philosophy behind running book clubs. While Laura prefers not to hold small groups during lunch, she makes exceptions depending on the group’s purpose. For example, a community-building group might work well during a “lunch bunch,” but more skills-based work is best saved for a designated small group time. Laura uses both chapter books and picture books and recommends series like those by Jory John, Todd Parr, Brenda Miles, Michael Ian Black, and the Way Past series. She shares that Scholastic is a great source for ordering multiple copies of books and encourages creativity, like using different titles in a picture book series.

Laura also supports teachers through book clubs at the grade level. She often gifts teachers with books, especially ones she finds at thrift stores, and partners with the school librarian to display themed books during staff meetings. Her collaborative approach promotes a school-wide culture of literacy and social-emotional learning.

When it comes to building your book collection, Laura suggests tapping into your librarian’s expertise by submitting a wishlist at the beginning of the year. She encourages the use of public libraries, which often allow you to request specific books. Other great sources include thrift stores, your counselor network, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which offers families one free book per month for a year. While YouTube read-alouds are a decent backup, she stresses that nothing beats reading a book aloud in person.

To keep track of her extensive book collection, Laura uses a cataloging system in Airtable. Inspired by Laura Driscoll, she created a searchable database of over 700 books organized by grade, topic, and type. This makes lesson planning more efficient and ensures she’s covering a wide range of student needs. You can find links to her Airtable in the show notes!

For new counselors who are just beginning to integrate books into their lessons, Laura offers encouraging advice: don’t overthink it—just bring a book into your lesson and start asking questions. Prompt students with things like, “Have you ever felt this way?” or “What do you think the character learned?” Let students guide the discussion and make personal connections. If you’ve inherited a library, take inventory so you can assess which topics are covered and where you may need to grow your collection.

Toward the end of the episode, Laura shares her journey of becoming a published author. She discusses the publishing process and the inspiration behind her new book My Brain Is Like a Puppy, a heartfelt project born from her experiences with her late therapy dog. She offers insight into what it’s like to submit to literary agencies and the steps it takes to bring a story to life. Picture books, she notes, are typically around 600 words and should be thoughtful, concise, and meaningful.

This episode is full of practical takeaways and encouragement for counselors looking to bring more creativity and connection into their lessons through books. Laura’s insights make it clear that picture books aren’t just for young children—they’re powerful tools for every age.

Connect with Rachel:

• TpT Store
  
  

• Blog
  
  

• Instagram
  
  

• Facebook Page
  
  

• Facebook Group
  
  

• Pinterest
  
  

• Youtube
  
  

Connect with Laura:

• pawsitiveschoolcounselor.com 

• Big Book Database - Airtable

• Instagram 

More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!