"'The book is practical and positive....[It] is thoughtfully produced and is evidently grounded in practical experience. It will be useful for professionals working to develop children's self-esteem and confidence.' --Bulletin 'This practical guide has a fund of ideas describing how teachers can harness powerful young imaginations and help build self-esteem.' --The Teacher '...a rich resource in its own right, or to "pick and mix", incorporating activities into other ways of working, according to the needs of the children and one's own personal and professional preferences.' --YoungMinds

Deborah Plummer is a registered speech and language therapist and imagework practitioner with over 20 years' experience of facilitating groups and working individually with both children and adults. Formerly a clinical lead therapist working within the NHS, she is now a clinical supervisor and lecturer and runs workshops and short courses on the uses of imagery and issues of self-esteem in the UK and abroad. She is the author of Helping Adolescents and Adults to Build Self-Esteem, The Adventures of the Little Tin Tortoise: A Self-esteem Story, Self-Esteem Games for Children and Using Interactive Imagework with Children, all published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part One: Theoretical Background. 1. Imagery, Imagework and the Process of Change. 2. Understanding Self-Esteem. 3. Working within the School Curriculum. 4. The Child with Speech and Language Difficulties. 5. Guidelines for Facilitators. Part Two: Instructions for Self-Esteem Activities. I. Getting Started (STARS and EMERALDS). II. Who Am I? (RUBIES). III. Friends and Feelings (SILVER). IV. Feeling OK About Being Me (GOLD). V. Taking Care of Myself (PEARLS). VI. More Than Just Talking (SAPPHIRES). VII. Solving Problems (RAINBOWS). VIII. Setting Goals (MOONBEAMS). Part Three: Activity Worksheets. I. STARS and EMERALDS (Getting Started). II. RUBIES (Who Am I?). III. SILVER (Friends and Feelings). IV. GOLD (Feeling OK About Being Me). V. PEARLS (Taking Care of Myself). VI. SAPPHIRES (More Than Just Talking). VII. RAINBOWS (Solving Problems). VIII. MOONBEAMS (Setting Goals). Part Four: Working with Parents. Introduction. Session 1. Getting Started. Session 2. Foundation Element: Self-Knowledge. Session 3. Foundation Elements: Self and Others and Self-Awareness. Session 4. Foundation Element: Self-Acceptance. Session 5. Foundation Element: Self-Reliance. Session 6. Foundation Elements: Self-Expression and Self-Confidence. Session 7. Make-believe, Playing Games and Telling Stories. Session 8. Course Review and Goals for the Future. Appendix A: The Iceberg of Low Self-Esteem. Appendix B: Relaxation Script. Appendix C: Instructions for Calm Breathing. Appendix D: Children's Books. Subject Index. Author index. Activities index.