Books for Early Years PractitionersIt has been a fantastic year for our list of books for early years practitioners already, with new varied and truly insightful titles growing our list of high quality books in this area.  Pleasingly, this has been recognised by the wider early years community by way of three separate commendations for different JKP books in various book prizes specific to the field of early years.

In-case you missed any of these titles during the year, here is a run down of the books that have been singled out by judges for special attention so far, and a few words on each.


Helping Children Develop and Positive Relationship with Food – Jo Cormack

Finalist in the 2018 Early Years Excellence Awards organised by Teach Early Years – ‘Happy and Healthy’ category

Books for Early Years Practitioners

Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) is delighted to announce that ‘Helping Children Develop a Positive Relationship with Food’ written by Jo Cormack, one of our PhD students, is a finalist in the Early Years Excellence Awards 2018, in the ‘Happy and Healthy’ Category.

On reaching the finals Jo Cormack was delighted to see her hard work being recognised:

“I’m really thrilled to have my book shortlisted for this national award, it’s a real honour.

“Although there is much talk about health and nutrition in early childhood, I have long felt that early years practitioners need to be better supported when it comes to understanding the psychological aspects of feeding children.

Books for Early Years Practitioners“My book is an attempt to address this gap: I have tried to draw on my academic interest and my clinical experience to share evidence-based best practice with those working with young children every day. Early years practitioners are uniquely placed to make a real difference to how the children in their care relate to food.”

Everyone at BGU would like to congratulate Jo on her success.

Developing Empathy in the Early Years – Helen Garnett

Shortlisted in the Nursery World Awards 2018 – ‘Professional Books’ category

Books for Early Years Practitioners

We are over-the-moon to have two titles in contention for this year’s Nursery World Awards ‘Professional Books’ winner, putting our titles in a dead heat with Bloomsbury Publishing who complete the shortlisting with two books of their own.

Of the shortlisting Helen said:

‘How wonderful it is to be nominated for such an award! I am absolutely delighted, along with Jackie, Helen and Valerie, the three contributors to the book.’

‘The presence of empathy transforms individuals and communities. It makes total sense to plant it deep into schools for every age, but particularly in the early years, when positive brain connections are being fired up every minute of the day.’

Books for Early Years Practitioners

‘I have seen first hand the influence of intentional and purposeful ‘empathy building’ in my own preschool, and the effect this has had on young lives throughout school and beyond.’

‘I very much hope that practitioners around the country will engage with the simplicity of intentional empathy building clarified in the book, and will both see and sense the difference in young children’s outlook and perspective that comes about as a result.’

Child Protection in the Early Years – Eunice Lumsden

Shortlisted in the Nursery World Awards 2018 – ‘Professional Books’ category

Books for Early Years Practitioners

Congratulations to Dr Eunice Lumsden, whose book, Child Protection in the Early Years, is a finalist in the Nursery World Awards 2018.

Dr Eunice Lumsden said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to be nominated for this award, not just for me but for all the children and families whose stories permeate every page of this book.  Their experiences provide clear messages about the need for a highly trained early childhood workforce.  One of the biggest challenges facing our sector is how best to protect the children we work with from all types of harm and provide the right environments that promote their holistic development.

Books for Early Years Practitioners“I hope that my book enables those engaging with it to understand the nuances of supporting children at risk of harm, supporting them as they act as powerful advocates for infants and young children, and developing their understanding of the cause of harm and how best to respond in each individual case – we can and must do better.”


Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to keep up to date with the fortunes of the books listed above, here’s hoping they can go one further! The results of both awards will become public in September.

If you would like to take a look at our other fantastic books for early years practitioners, click here.


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