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Name: Amazon.com: Dibs in Search of Self: The Renowned, Deeply Moving Story of an Emotionally Lost Child Who Found His Way Back: 9780345339256: Axline, Virginia M.: Video Games
Price: 7.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (2881 reviews)

Virginia M. Axline

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Dibs in Search of Self: The Renowned, Deeply Moving Story of an Emotionally Lost Child Who Found His Way Back Mass Market Paperback – June 12, 1986

by Virginia M. Axline (Author)

4.8 2,881 ratings

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The classic of child therapy. Dibs will not talk. He will not play. He has locked himself in a very special prison. And he is alone. This is the true story of how he learned to reach out for the sunshine, for life . . . how he came to the breathless discovery of himself that brought him back to the world of other children.

Print length

224 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Ballantine Books
Publication date

June 12, 1986
Dimensions

4.17 x 0.57 x 6.87 inches
ISBN-10

9780345339256
ISBN-13

978-0345339256
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

As a former teacher-turned-editor, who read DIBS many times before even coming to work here at Ballantine, I feel very connected to this book. The author is a leading authority on play therapy and the treatment of emotionally disturbed children. Dibs is one of these lost children. The story takes us through his long journey from being labeled as "mentally defective," to emerging as a gifted and lovable young man. Whether you're a teacher, a parent, a psychologist, or just someone who loves to actually feel what they're reading, DIBS is for you.

--Laura Paczosa, Editorial Assistant

From the Inside Flap

of child therapy. Dibs will not talk. He will not play. He has locked himself in a very special prison. And he is alone. This is the true story of how he learned to reach out for the sunshine, for life . . . how he came to the breathless discovery of himself that brought him back to the world of other children.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0345339258
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (June 12, 1986)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780345339256
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0345339256
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.17 x 0.57 x 6.87 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #14,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #17 in PC-compatible Games

Customer Reviews:
4.8 2,881 ratings

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4.8 out of 5

2,881 global ratings

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Anna Soman

astounding

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024

Verified Purchase

An astounding , life changing book. I wish I hard read it years ago. Decades ago maybe. Thank you Virginia for your work and putting this all in a book. What a beautiful story of human growth, healing, freedom.

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Eli & Paula

Incredible. Everyone should read!

Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023

Verified Purchase

I am so moved by this book. I couldnt put it down, I had to know more and see Dibs' progress unravel. I felt so many emotions throughout and was impressed by Ms. A's composure and professionalism. An all around wonderful read.

2 people found this helpful

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Jane M. Schuster

best book I ever read and reread and read again

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024

Verified Purchase

To read this book for the first or umpteenth time is to be in the presence of awe and love. I love Dibs and Miss A. Truth and beauty and depth. Not one false note b

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2022

Verified Purchase

I am not a student studying therapy or even children. But, I was intrigued by this book so I bought it. This a true life story. I read it all the way through and cried after I finished it,

A boy who is emotionally distant and pulling tantrums at every turn is evaluated by a therapist who engages him in play therapy. His parents are intelligent people who are exasperated by his behavior and hold no hope of change in this child who does not communicate and is withdrawn.

The therapist takes the child to the play therapy room where he engages with a variety of toys. He shares his emotions by playing with the toys and communicating with the therapist who becomes a friend to him.

We see the intelligence of the child who is quite gifted and a starvation for love and acceptance. After a few weeks we see much change in the child and his mother. The father remains distant and the child explores and shows his emotions toward the father in play.

The child grows-up in the story and starts using his abilities and communicating with the outside world.
The author uses the tapes of these sessions to beautifully create these events. She allows the reader to experience the highs and low of this true life story. The reader will feel like their are experiencing these events as they happened. A great true life story that id filled with emotion.

9 people found this helpful

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Katie J

Fascinating Book

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024

Verified Purchase

Excellent story that is easy and fast to read through the development of this child's play therapy. So many parents and kids struggle; this is a book of hope without fluffy idealistic advice. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2022

Verified Purchase

I first read this book 50 years ago when I was twelve. I was very impressed then. I read it again now. Reading it again I noticed that it was really too good to be true. With one hour a week, for exactly one year, a deeply distubed child (maybe he would be labled on the autistic spectrum today) is cured. And the parents are to blame. It's all their fault. As simple as that. Rrally a little hard do believe. But I loved the book. Maybe for old times sake.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

🌹

Good Book

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024

Verified Purchase

I love this book. Read it back in high school. 4 plus decades ago. Stayed in my memory.

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

Moving, inspirational, and heartbreaking all at once. This is one of the very best books I have read. It is a must-read for anyone in the mental health field, and for anyone who is introspective or curious about their own childhood.

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Sparky

A heartwarming book. Easy read.

Reviewed in Canada on July 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

I first read this in the ‘60s. It’s as good now as then. Touching story.

Sarah

Essencial para terapia infantil

Reviewed in Brazil on January 11, 2023

Verified Purchase

Eu já havia lido carl rogers e alguns textos de ludoterpia da Virgínia Axilaine, mas foi apenas em Dibs que eu entendi de fato como se dá a terapia infantil na abordagem humanista. É realmente o sentimento de que nada acontece até tudo acontecer, o crescimento de dibs é imenso e muito claro de se ver a partir de certo ponto.

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RCM888

Wonderful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2023

Verified Purchase

I soon begin my work.as an assistant psychologist and was advised to read this in preparation. What a truly remarkable book that demonstrates what unconditional positive regard, patience, respect and compassion can do for a human being. A must read for all parents, teachers, students and anyone interested in what it means to be human.

One person found this helpful

Wini

Interesting one

Reviewed in India on December 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

Interesting book for psychologists.

Amazon Customer

Very. Good. Story.

Reviewed in Germany on September 10, 2022

Verified Purchase

The story touched my heart. Once can say many times "if you want a kid to interact with you, you have to listen to a kid", but this book shows where it leads to. Kudos to the author!

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