Learning to Play Again: Rediscovering Our Early Selves to Become Better Adults

by Kathryn Smerling PhD LCSW

136 pages, Hardcover

Published December 3, 2024

Reviews

[Liz Wine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is more of a literature review full of quotes and references to other works. She often references them as “wisdom from another child development all stars.”

She names clients—or if she changed their names she does not mention that and often shares stories that include a secondary character who may not have given consent for a story to be shared. This includes a story about a minor. There were also times her tone came off as judgemental: “the youngest of the three is terribly entitled.” She was referencing a child here!

A positive I will share is the chapter on various family structures and LGBTQ acceptance.

[Ivy Digest · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book on play, this book is so unplayful. My Gen Z son said it's too boring and abandoned it early. It's a tough read so I suspect this was a PhD paper. There are other books on play that have more levity, humor, and fun that will inspire the reader to want to play or at the very least, leave with a lighter mood. This just brings you down.

[Bonita Thompson]

This is a wonderful read. So much richness in simplistic language. Ideal for a gift to someone who enjoys reading.

[Destiney Horner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information but difficult to read, I couldn’t finish

[Stephanie G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed it for about a hour. It was a mix between childhood lessons to remember as adults and a parenting book with a added 2 chapter on divorce at the end. it was not what I was looking for.