Independent Early Years Consultant, UK University of Edinburgh, UK
Nichola Jones, Special educational needs advisor, Bridgend Wales Support Services (LEA) Schools, Universities, Health (OT's). This book would be taken up by the student Market, teachers/teaching assistants. Contents very accessible to all range of staff. Post graduate students but also ITT. GBP17 - GBP18 would be a reasonable price for the book. Kirby, Portward are the main writers in this subject area, but Christine's books are always very easy to read and her case studies are her hallmark. 8 -- 10 years would eb the approximate shelf-life of this book. The author is one of the leaders in this field. Transition has become very topical in England and Wales with government initiatives so it is good that Christine has included this important aspect. The author also covers the very important issue of self esteem and combines this aspect with reduction of stress which nicely go hand in hand. I'm very familiar with the current edition. I use it as background reading for training purposes and have also recommended it to schools. The format, contents and style of the existing text are very good but I agree with Christine that the pictures need updating. It would be good to include something on pupil participation -- how we find out from the children what they want 'done' for them not always what we 'do' to them. Christine has a remarkable quality at getting alongside practitioners and children and I wonder whether she could draw upon this to draw out the voice of children when illustrating her points. (Reading between the lines I think Christine probably already has plans to do this). A new edition will certainly enhance and bring the publication up-to-date and I recommend that you publish it.