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Using Story Telling as a
Therapeutic Tool with
Children
Editor: Margot Sunderland
Publishers: Winslow
(Speechmark)
Price: £9.95; 96pps
ISBN: 0 86388 274 9
Founded on the basic premise that
the natural feeling language of
children is image, metaphor or
story, this book offers an
approach to using storytelling as
a therapeutic tool that can be
used to foster a greater
understanding of their feelings.
The author has credibility in
therapeutic counselling.
Generally, scenarios draw on
experiences of children affected
by changes in family dynamics
and life events. However, this
method could be used by health
vol 14 no 4 May 2002
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I enjoyed reading this handbook
a child’s experience of illness,
trauma or treatment, or eliciting
their views about the service or
when undertaking research.
Although information is offered
about particular techniques
intended to draw out feelings,
initially I was circumspect about
the implicit claim that the book
equipped the reader to deal with
these. At times the expertise of
professional counsellors will be
required and thus perhaps more
guidance on ways of assessing
and referring on should also be
acknowledged.
This is a stimulating, albeit cursory,
introduction to the theoretical
basis of this intervention. It will
add to the tool kit of professionals
working with children and will
be interesting to parents wishing
to experiment with different
styles of communication with
their children.
Reviewer: AK Dearmun PhD,
BSc(Hons) RSCN, RGN, DN, DNE, RNT
Infant Massage: A
Handbook for Loving
Parents (1st edition)
Author: Vimala McClure
Publishers: Souvenir Press Ltd
Price: £9.99; 241pps
ISBN: 285 63617 0
Paediatric Nursing
Copyright © 2016 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
inclusion of clear illustrations for
which, although written for
parents, has been prefaced by a
paediatrician and will certainly be
of relevance to nurses.
The author, an experienced
practitioner and teacher,
developed some of her own
experience observing traditional
massage given by Indian
mothers to their babies. Readers
are reminded that, while
fashionable today, infant massage
is not a new fad, but an ancient
art which is simple to perform,
promotes bonding and
attachment, as well as having
many other benefits for both
mother and baby.
The key strengths of this book are
the chapters giving practical
advice on how to prepare for and
perform massage and the
each of the numerous techniques
described.
Also included are chapters on
performing massage on babies
with minor illness and colic,
premature babies and babies
with special needs.
The author refers throughout to
research studies, which support
her work, and, although most of
the recommended reading is
American, there is a useful
resource list adapted for British
readers.
In conclusion I can recommend
this book which should be of
specific interest to nurses caring
for the new-born as well as to
parents and others with a more
general interest in the subject.
C A MacDonald RGN, RSCN, Dip(Lond)
Paediatric Nursing Consultant
11