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The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself

A gentle story about trust, connection, and healing.

Alison Redford author Kara Simpson illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Published:21st Nov '15

Should be back in stock very soon

The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself cover

A boy creates a protective wall to shield himself from hurt, until Someone Kind shows him the value of connection in The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself.

In The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself, a young boy constructs a wall to shield himself from the pain of trust and betrayal. This wall becomes his sanctuary, a place where he feels safe from the hurtful experiences that have shaped his view of the world. However, as he hides behind this barrier, he realizes that it also isolates him from the joys of connection and friendship. The story takes a turn when Someone Kind appears on the other side of the wall, bringing with her a sense of curiosity and warmth that challenges his perspective.

As Someone Kind engages with the boy through playful activities like bouncing a ball and painting, he begins to question whether life beyond his wall could be different. This gentle narrative invites young readers to explore the complexities of their emotions, especially those who have faced trauma, loss, or neglect. The vibrant illustrations complement the text, making it an engaging read for children aged 4 to 9, while also serving as a therapeutic tool for discussing feelings.

Ultimately, The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself encourages children to recognize their feelings and fosters a sense of hope. It emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding in overcoming personal barriers, making it a valuable resource for both parents and educators aiming to support emotional growth in young children.

I really enjoyed this book, as did my children. The gentle but insightful storytelling matched the fantastic illustrations. This is a book that can easily be returned to again and again by families as children grow. It will provide a platform for many parents and children to have conversations about life stories and challenging experiences and offer hope for restoration and love. -- Al Coates, adoptive dad, social worker and blogger

The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself brings crucial awareness for children and the adults who care for them, that behind all difficult behaviours there is deep emotional pain.

The strategy of defence only makes the pain bigger, but this compassionate, succinct and perceptive book shows the utter transformation possible when an 'enlightened witness' sees through the wall to the core distress within.

This story offers hope to any child struggling to manage painful and overwhelming emotions; and it is a compelling message for parents, carers and teachers that the results of tending to underlying feelings can be astonishing.

-- Virginia Mallin, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
The book would be useful to parents to help their child understand their thoughts and feelings - it prompts questions and opens up conversation - and also good for a primary school library or PSHE lesson. -- Julie Griffin * BACP Children and Young People *
This remarkable picture book should be winning prizes for both its textual simplicity and the innovative and quite beautiful art work. For a child who has suffered emotional or physical abuse, it will be the kind of life-line that can provide true healing and a sense that the world can be a good place after all. An invaluable resource for those dealing with damaged children. -- HealthyBooks

ISBN: 9781849056830

Dimensions: 248mm x 178mm x 10mm

Weight: 260g

32 pages