Play for Sick Children

Catherine Hubbuck is a hospital play specialist based in Bristol, most recently working in the Play Department at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. She has worked in both acute inpatient settings and extensively with children as outpatients. Catherine lives with her husband and three children.

• Acknowledgements. Introduction. Chapter 1. Socio-Historical Perspectives on Children and the Experience of Being in Hospital. Chapter 2. What Play Specialists Do - and What they Don't. Chapter 3. The Effects of Being in Hospital on Children and Young People. Chapter 4. More Than Just Playing - The Importance of Normalizing Play. Chapter 5. Emotional Support and the 'Art' of Distraction. Chapter 6. Imparting Information. Chapter 7. In conclusion… References. Index.

This is a useful and informative book for those looking to deepen their understanding of the play specialist role, and to revise the important and powerful tool of play throughout childhood, particularly if the child has been ill or hospitalised. Therefore, I would recommend this as a book to borrow from the library or to have available within a department for students, newly qualified therapists or new starters to refer to.