To The Moon and Back Interview Lisa Cherry on her new book

A short interview about the book Conversations That Make a Difference for Children and Young People by contributing organisation, To The Moon and Back.

You can buy the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conversations-Difference-Children-Young-People/dp/0367644010/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Here is a review found on Amazon from Dr Christopher Moore:

What an achievement by Lisa Cherry. This book is a must-read for anyone who has a vested interest in the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

Lisa provides a brief introduction to the areas of attachment, adversity and trauma. These set the scene for the subsequent conversations in each of the three parts of the book. She also provides frequent reflections and points for discussions. I found that there was a real momentum to each chapter. They often left me with food for thought and I was eager to begin reading the next conversation.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is how it dips into various contexts and disciplines and yet the discussions remain accessible and relevant to a range of educators and professionals within health and social care. I have little experience of the criminal justice system, but I found Andi Brierley’s chapter very applicable to common issues such as preventative and multi-agency working. Similarly, the chapter with Pauline Scott and Laura Devennie will speak to those grappling with whole-school and whole-service thinking around staff wellbeing.

The conversational nature of this book is really unique, and this allows it to provide a really rich space for exploring and challenging a range of issues. It goes further than many books about similar topics, as it pulls back the curtain on the complex journey that these headteachers, social workers, therapists and managing directors (to name just some of the professional backgrounds) have experienced.

I appreciated the fact that the conversations did not shy away from the difficulties and setbacks which occurred on these journeys. Change is hard. Systems can be rigid. People can be hesitant to view the world and their own background with a different lens. It is truly refreshing to see these issues discussed openly and honestly. Lisa and her contributors really help to make these experiences tangible. There are also universal themes revealed across this spectrum of conversation which provide hope for the future. Compassion. Understanding. Empathy. Relationships. This book will undoubtedly help you to feel that you can make a difference.