Child Treatment and the Therapy of Play is largely a description of what takes place at a Child Guidance Clinic and why. Incidentally it dispels some of the commoner misconceptions about the attitude of the psychotherapist towards problems of discipline.

The first four chapters of the book seem to be written for a wide public—the average parent or teacher—as a plea for greater understanding of the child, his needs and his play.

Much of what follows would make suitable reading for those who already have some knowledge of the subject (as the use of the word 'catharsis' and reference, in passing, to Kretchmer's schizoid and pyknic types suggest) or for those wishing to train as child therapists. This apparent diversity of aim leaves a somewhat bewildering impression; nevertheless this book makes a useful bridge between the ordinary life of the home and what may sometimes be thought of as the 'mysteries' of the treatment room.