The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself - a bookwrap

Unwrapping...

 Authored by Ali Redford and illustrated by Kara Simpson

Ages 4-9

Jessica Kingsley Publishers is a wholly independent company, committed to publishing books that make a difference.  They publish books of the highest quality for professional and general readers in a range of special needs subjects.  They are well known for their long-established books on the autism spectrum, on social work, and on the arts therapies.

Unwrapping some of the amazing illustrations...

About the book...

A little boy who has been hurt and abused builds a strong wall around himself to stop his pain and feel protected. The wall becomes his shield and fortress where he feels safe and helps him cope with a false sense of security from the outside world.  

Then one day Someone Kind comes along and bounces a ball against his wall, sings him songs through some of the cracks and paints a beautiful coloured mural on the opposite side which he can't see.  Her kind deeds lure him out and her gentle smile and willingness to play and interact with him with love enables him to trust her and even have fun with her in the outside world.  

This wonderful picture book uses this simple metaphor to help children discover that barriers can be taken down, bridges can be built and trust can be established once again after they have experienced trauma in their lives. Hope can be theirs for the taking.

The book will help children more fully understand their feelings and emotions and encourage them to talk about themselves in a safe, protected environment.  Highly recommended.

About the author...

Ali Redford is an adoptive parent of siblings who has worked in education, theatre and marketing. She has been through a lot of family therapy and, on a good day, seems to be coming out the other side, touch wood.

About the illustrator...

After studying Fine Art/Sculpture at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, I came to London and did a Masters in Design for Interactive Media at Middlesex University. Here I acquired a love of Photoshop and all its possibilites. I recently illustrated a children's book written by Ali Redford, The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself. Hopefully the first of many published works.

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It's a wrap.