By Tim Gill (Calouste Gulbenkien, £8.50 plus p&p, ISBN 978 1 903080 08 5, www.centralbooks.co.uk)
Reviewed by Jennie Lindon, psychologist and early years consultant
This book is a welcome blast of fresh air on a topic that is burdened by adult anxiety and confusion. Tim Gill takes a balanced approach to weighing up the genuine risks for children in our current society. He highlights the crucial goal - that childhood experiences have to lead into a competent adulthood.
The book takes a responsible look at the fears of adults and at reliable information on practical topics like playground design, online and personal safety. There is some proper grown-up thinking about the need to consider all the consequences of steps taken in the name of protecting children. A key theme is that attempts to reduce risk to zero can increase dangers to children, as they cannot learn how to assess risk themselves. Tim Gill also makes thoughtful points about labelling any troubles between children as bullying, when adults could help them problem solve the more minor conflicts themselves.
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