Once Upon a Touch...: Story Massage for Children

A fun and creative way to increase general well-being, improve concentration and self-awareness, and encourage relaxation in children aged 3-11, this book offers a hands-on guide to story massage.

Central to the book are step-by-step, illustrated instructions for ten easy-to-learn basic strokes which are given through clothes on the back, head, shoulders and arms. These basic strokes have then been used to create over 25 story massages which vary in length and complexity. The stories range from traditional tales such as 'Humpty Dumpty' to hands-on learning stories such as 'Deep in the Rainforest.' The massages can be carried out by adults in one-to-one or group sessions, or taught to children to practice on each other.

An enjoyable and interactive way of sharing the benefits and safe and appropriate use of positive touch with all children, this book will be of interest to parents and carers, bodyworkers, teachers and other school staff, care workers and arts therapists.

Mary Atkinson, MA, PGCE, is an award-winning complementary therapist and tutor, and author of four books on massage, including Healing Touch for Children. Alongside Sandra Hooper, she runs training courses for individuals and organisations to help develop skills and confidence in the use of story massage. Mary lives in Chichester, UK.

Sandra Hooper, BEd (Hons), is an experienced primary school teacher, massage therapist and a respected international trainer on the Massage in Schools Programme (MISP). She runs training courses on story massage alongside Mary Atkinson. Sandra lives in Brighton, UK.