MY BOOKS

If you'd like to buy any of my books, please click on the cover image to purchase. Thankyou!

Motherland - The Lived Experiences of New Mothers Attending Community Groups In Developing a Sense of Self and Belonging

In what ways can attending community groups help to develop a sense of self and belonging for new mothers as they navigate parenthood?

Using examples of lived experiences from mothers past and present, Motherland invites readers to explore how community groups have shaped and supported the social identity of their members.

It considers maternal care beyond the home and the importance of listening to new mothers as they share their lived experiences. Through exploring women's community groups - from historical and contemporary perspectives - it illustrates the power of a collective group and social identity in shaping mothers' relationships with their infants and each other.

The Baby Room - A Person Centred Approach to Communities of Practice and Belonging in Formal Daycare

The Baby Room explores the implementation of a Person-Centred Care (PCC) approach, and discusses how this can be used to create a sense of belonging and community, ultimately shaping the social identity of professionals.

Through case studies, and personal lived experience as an education practitioner in caring for infants from 6 weeks to 2 years, I detail the emotional labour, celebrations, and challenges of working with our youngest community members.

This book is ideal reading for students of Education and Early Childhood Studies, Psychology, Sociology, and practitioners of Infant Education.

Using A Person-Centred Approach in Early Years Practice

Reflecting on the principles of person-centred counselling, developed by Carl Rogers, this book guides students and practitioners to use this approach within the sphere of early childhood education, providing radical new ways of promoting emotions, emotional regulation and well-being.

This accessible resource reveals how a therapeutic approach with a humanistic perspective can be understood and woven into early years professional practice by practitioners themselves.

With informed practice examples, case studies and thought-provoking questions regarding a PCA, this book is essential and informative reading for students and practitioners looking to improve and enhance their practice.

Transitional Objects in Early Childhood - The Value of Transitional Objects In The Early Years

With this book, I look at D. W. Winnicott’s theory of Transitional Objects in early years practice, the ‘good-enough’ parent, and the relationship between the young child and primary carer in relation to the value of Transitional Objects. It's a timely connection between the understanding and application of therapeutic approaches within early educational contexts, and includes engaging exercises at the end of each chapter.

This book is vital reading for those with an interest in the psychology of the infant/young child and their relationship and realities with the external world. It will be of particular interest to those specialising in infant and child care who wish to develop their knowledge of emotional development through play, as well as those working in a variety of social, education, and health contexts.

Bouncy Bearhaviour

This is the tale of three bouncy bears and their adventures beginning Rockpool school and what they got up to during their first term! The story uses a therapeutic play approach and is about overcoming challenges the bears face adapting to new rules, fitting in and learning about friendships. It’s an ideal book for children who have worries about the unknown and beginning something new. Aimed at children approximately five-years-old.

Historical Perspectives on Infant Care and Development

This book is an essential guide to understanding the historical influences that have shaped our ideas about infancy and infant care today. Introducing key theories, themes, and concepts that have shaped the history of infant care, it invites readers to explore how events, approaches, traditions, studies and stories have shaped modern day practice.

From foundlings to wetnurses, community care and edu-carers, the book introduces topics about family life, professional roles, and educational settings. Featuring short vignettes, imagery, case studies and extended reflective questions, topics include pregnancy, parental relationships, developmental studies, the role of the professional and community services available to infants.

From Conception to Two Years - Development, Policy and Practice

Recognising the importance of ‘the first one thousand days’, from the beginning of a woman’s pregnancy until her child’s second birthday, this comprehensive guide takes a fresh look at the role of the practitioner in supporting the family, mother and child from conception through to early infancy.

Bringing together key research, theory and experiences, this book informs professional approaches to providing care. Offering an explanation of key issues affecting the care of very young children during this critical time, it features reflective questions to promote discussion and further thinking. It offers Early Years practitioners and students the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to effectively support and care for children and their families from the very start.

My Book Chapters

Norman, A (2026) Play and Wellbeing

In Wellbeing and Education (Forthcoming)

Norman, A (2026) Maternal Boundaries of Other Mothers and Community Mothers
In Woven Threads - Building Bonds in Other Mothering and Community Mothering
Edited by Jane Alberdeston, Dorsía Smith Silva, and Dannabang Kuwabong
US, Demeter Press

Norman, A and James, C (2025) Matrescence: Public and private spiritual perspectives of new mother’s rites and rituals within 21st century Britain

In Women and Rituals
London, Vernon Press

Norman, A (2025) Muddling Thought Matrescence with Multiples

London, Routledge

Norman, A (2025) Transitional Objects in Quinones, and Delaune, The Interdependence of Wellbeing: Possibilities for infant and toddler pedagogies and policies
Click HERE to access

Norman, A (2023) Working with Infants
In Hayes, C. (2022) Practitioner SEFDEY Handbook
London, Routledge

Norman, A (2022) Spiritual Humanism and Motherhood (an auto-ethnographical approach)

In Bennett, Y. (2021) Women and Religion in Britain Today

London, Palgrave McMillan

Norman, A (2022) Baby Signing: Infant Care
In Wall, K., Arnott, L. & Hall, E. (2022) Theory and Practice of Voice in Early Childhood: A Guide for the Early Years
London, Palgrave McMillan

Norman, A (2019) The Value of Obituaries in Understanding Lives
In Parnell, J. (2019) New and Alternative Ways of Writing Lives: Biographical research approaches
London, Palgrave McMillan