The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself
Alison Redford author Kara Simpson illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published:21st Nov '15
Should be back in stock very soon
A therapeutic colour picture book about a boy who builds a protective wall around himself
Boy hides behind his wall because he doesn't trust people and he knows how it feels to be hurt and let down. That is until Someone Kind arrives on the other side of his wall. This colour picture book will help children aged 4-9 who have experienced trauma, loss or neglect to come to terms with their experiences and to build healthy relationships.
Boy built a wall to keep himself safe. Behind it he felt strong and more protected. Then Someone Kind came along. She bounced a ball, sang and painted on the other side of the wall, and Boy began to wonder if life on the other side might be better after all.
Written for children aged 4 to 9, this gentle full-colour picture book uses a simple metaphor to explain how children who have had painful or traumatic experiences can build barriers between themselves and other people. It will help children explore their feelings and encourage communication.
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.
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