This beautifully illustrated and sensitively written storybook and professional guide set has been created to help preschool children understand about domestic abuse and coercive control.

Luna Little Legs: Luna loves playing with her friends at kitten club, but at home things are different. One terrible night, Luna overhears a domestic abuse incident and, when her own name is mentioned, she wonders if it might be her fault. With a comforting rhyming structure and age-appropriate tone, three alternative endings allow the story to be personalised to the experiences of the individual child.

Helping Young Children Understand About Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control: This supporting guidebook presents professionals with comprehensive information regarding domestic abuse and coercive control and its impact on young children. With page-by-page notes to support the reading of the story and practical activities to help broach the topic in a non-threatening way, it puts the adult in a position to have important and informed interactions with young children.

Broaching a challenging topic in a sensitive way, this is an essential tool for early years practitioners, as well as professionals working with children and families who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic abuse and coercive control.

About the Author

Catherine Lawler is a qualified specialist children's counsellor, trauma practitioner and a childhood survivor of domestic abuse. She has extensive experience of working with children, young people and families as well as developing and facilitating training on the issue of domestic abuse and coercive control. Catherine is co-author of Domestic Violence and Children: A Handbook for Schools and Early Years (Routledge, 2010) and Floss and the Boss: Helping Children Learn About Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control (Routledge 2021)

Norma Howes has trained in social work, child forensic psychology and psychotherapy. She is also trainer and consultant for workers from agencies about the impact of all forms of trauma, abuse and neglect. She has a special interest in domestic abuse and sexual trauma. She has written Guides for Community Care Inform: A Trauma model for working with i) domestic abuse, ii) sexual exploitation, iii) contact between children and their families and a Guide on the Neurobiological Impact of Contact.

Nicky Armstrong, B.A.(Hons) Theatre Design, M.A. Slade School of Fine Arts, has illustrated 30 books which have been translated and published in seven countries. She has achieved major commissions in both mural and fine art painting.

Reviews

Luna Little Legs is a beautifully-illustrated, skilfully-designed book for young children who have experienced domestic violence, abuse and coercive control. An important feature of the text is that it has three different endings, so the book can be tailored to the life-experience of children who are engaging with it. You do not need to be an expert on domestic abuse to find the book valuable: The Professional Guide provides a wealth of information so that anyone can feel confident in using this wonderful resource.

Dr Emma Katz, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Childhood and Youth, Liverpool Hope University, UK

Book Information
ISBN 9781032072555
Author Catherine Lawler
Page Count 80
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 800g