Reviews: For your shelf

By Helen Tovey (OUP, £16.99, 9780335216413)

Reviewed by Michael Pettavel, head of centre, Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre

This book is well-timed, given the current debate on children's access to outside spaces, safety legislation and obesity. It is a clear and well-reasoned discussion of the questions that surround outdoor play.

We are taken on a meticulously researched journey, supported by both new and accepted thought from a range of sources, including architects and educationalists. The book covers areas such as the issues and challenges affecting children's lives in Britain today, why outside play is important to young children (not simply in relation to physical development), and the spaces and places that are available to children.

All of these areas have implications for early years practitioners, including design and the use of sometimes limited space; managing risk and challenge; and evaluating the different types of play that adults and children engage in outside. There are examples from different early years settings that will help readers to explore how theoretical ideas translate into their everyday practice.

The book allowed me to reassess and question my own beliefs and attitudes around the value of outdoor play. It extended my understanding with practical and accessible references to current research and theory, which allowed me to clarify my thinking and principles.

CHILDMINDER'S GUIDE TO PLAY AND ACTIVITIES

By Allison Lee (Continuum, £14.99, ISBN 9780826494641)

This book will be useful for those studying the Diploma in Home-based Childcare and for registered childminders looking for further advice and inspiration. The book includes:

- Practical ideas for play and activities

- Stages of child development

- How to support the learning of groups of children at various ages and with different learning needs.

MATHS IN STORIES

By Judith Stevens (BEAM, £29.50, 9781874099659)

Early years advisor and Nursery World contributor Judith Stevens shows how to create a mathematically-stimulating learning environment. The ideas are linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage and the book provides numerous fun mathematics activities based on storybooks, props, puppets and other easily accessible resources, along with questions to support mathematical thinking and problem solving.