Tales from the Magic Tree: How Children Used the Power of Their Imagination to Discover More about Themselves

by Stephen Simpson (Editor), Lucy Simpson

Overview

Tales from the Magic Tree are stories aimed at young children to help with their personal development and growth. They all have positive multi-layered messages. On the surface they are imaginative narratives, but at a deeper level encourage greater appreciation of the needs of others, and less painful inward reflection.The stories are easy to listen to or to read. They introduce simple methods to promote and increase self awareness, self belief and personal growth. The topics are all based around key issues which affect young people, and highlight to the listener that they can take control of their feelings and emotions. They are not a helpless passenger in their own body.The magic tree stands in a quiet corner of the playground of Cherry Tree Primary School and offers a peaceful place for students and teachers to sit and think. Consequently the magic tree has heard many stories over the years and wants to share what he has learnt in order to help the listener discover these secrets too. The magic tree reassures the young people that they are not alone, and that even if things feel tough at the moment there are always different approaches and sources of support from others.This book consists of 6 stories:- The Girl Who Surprised Everyone- The Boy Who Never Cried- The Girl Who Tried to Please Everyone- The Girl that Travelled to Africa- The Boy that Did Not Want to Forget- The Girl with the Crystal BallLucy Simpson has worked with disadvantaged young people for over ten years, including those in Angola. Her experiences inspired her to write these stories. She discovered at first hand both the strengths but also the doubts that many young people have about themselves, and their place in our complex society.Lucy has studied Psychology, trained as a Counsellor, and is now completing her Masters in Social Work so that she can continue to work with vulnerable children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467977043
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	11/30/2011
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.10(d)

About the Author

Lucy spent her teens in Africa and during this time enjoyed participating in youth work in orphanages, visiting children in local hospitals and teaching English to street kids. Lucy then went to university in Bristol, England, studying International Relations and Psychology. She continued working with children as a mentor, teaching assistant, sports coach and was also a volunteer at the Terrence Higgins Trust.
After completing her degree Lucy worked therapeutically in a secondary school. Her clients were young people with emotional difficulties and challenging behaviour. She combined this work whilst undertaking further training as a person-centred counsellor. During this busy period Lucy also found time to work in a residential pupil referral unit for boys between the ages of 8 and 12.
After completing her counselling diploma Lucy started her MA in Social Work and moved to London. Lucy has worked in a statutory placement, and also a school placement with Kids Company. In this role she worked with children to increase their self-esteem, and to provide a positive therapeutic relationship.
Concurrently Lucy worked as a volunteer counsellor for adults with substance misuse problems. This involved developing therapeutic strategies with the client, including harm minimisation and reduction plans, with the ultimate goal of abstinence.
These varied experiences and memories prompted her interest in using imaginative stories to promote self-esteem and effective personal development in children. The result is the six stories that comprise Tales from the Magic Tree. Lucy hopes you like her book, and perhaps you have ideas about further stories she could write based on your experiences?