The purpose of the stories is to build a resourceful space within the child to enable him/her to heal childhood traumas.

These twelve stories are written and recorded for children between four and fourteen years. Storytelling is not only an oral method of handing down cultural experiences it can also have a healing purpose. The goal of these stories is to use metaphors, words, images and sounds that will bring about a calm, secure, safe and comfortable inner world for the child.

Children experience stress in the same ways as adults. In the main, most parents try to shield their children from danger while at the same time supporting them to overcome their limitations, express themselves freely and tap into their potential strengths. No matter what culture we live in there are expectations, norms of behaviour, social conduct and laws to protect the interests of everyone. We would like to believe that each child is unique and that every child matters.

As children progress through the normal developmental stages in life they do not always understand or comply with the expectations of the adults around them.

They experience a wide range of emotions, which can be very confusing, and they may not always have a close friend, sibling or parent with whom to confide in.

Life experiences that some children may find stressful such as, puberty, recovering from accidents, rejection, performing in public, receiving criticism, sitting exams, dealing with failure and disappointments, or watching violent or frightening television programmes, films or games, can cause them difficulties. However, other more serious and long term stresses can lead to long term psychological damage for children: domestic violence, neglect or abuse, poverty, bullying, intimidation, separation or divorce of parents, bereavement, living in a conflicted society or a dysfunctional family or with a hidden or obvious disability.

This CD is for these children because it is important to recognise their distress and help them to nurture a tranquil space within themselves where they can re-resource themselves periodically. In discovering this internal space they can have an experience of peace and contentment that will contrast greatly with the world around them. With practice they will learn to return to this place so that they can take 'time out' and be re-resourced. In this way they will become more self-reliant, less fearful, more confident and have a better chance to self-actualise.

The stories and use of imagination will create a refuge which will be a source of strength and comfort for the child and nurture a true sense of identity and self. The characters in the stories demonstrate all kinds of difficulties, talents and gifts. By listening to the stories children will be able to identify and connect with different emotions, reach the healing part of themselves, learn the importance of dialogue and how difficult situations are handled and challenges overcome.

It is important not to interpret these stories for the child. Children heal more quickly when they give their own meaning to it and make their own connections. These stories can be played whether the child is paying attention or not as their unconscious mind is always listening and alert.