Reading Emotional Sensations in A Child with Anxiety in Catching Thoughts by Bonnie Clark

Abstract

Anxiety is a mental health issue that can affect a child's emotional, cognitive, and social development. Children's picture books addressing mental health themes can help young readers understand and manage their emotions through visual and verbal elements. This study aims to analyze the process of signification in the picture book Catching Thoughts by Bonnie Clark and to identify the author's critical stance regarding the issue of anxiety. The research employs a qualitative approach utilizing Roland Barthes's semiotic theory, focusing on denotation, connotation, and myth. The primary data consists of verbal and visual elements selected from five illustrations in the book, supported by literature on anxiety and mental health. The findings indicate that the signification process in Catching Thoughts transforms visual and verbal signs into symbolic representations of a child's internal cognitive and emotional experiences. Furthermore, Bonnie Clark's critical position is both educational and empowering, encouraging children to recognize and manage negative thoughts while fostering early awareness of mental health and emotional literacy.