Harry the Hypno-potamus Imagination Cards: Imagination Cards

Based on the bestselling 2 volume set, Harry the Hypno-potamus: Metaphorical Tales for Children, this deck of playing cards features animals found in a zoo. But it is more than just animal pictures. Each card has a unique self-regulation skill for children that include breathing techniques, muscle relaxation techniques, mental imagery or ego-strengthening all of which are designed to be non-threatening to a child. They can be effectively used by clinicians, teachers, parents or by the children themselves. By following the instructions on each card, children can learn to self-regulate themselves. Make up your own games with this full 52-card deck or use any of the following specially designed card games: Hide the Hippo. The person left holding the Hippo is the winner. Remember to Remember. This is a memory card game to find and match animals. Hippo Pass. Cards are passed around the table and the winner is the person who is the first to have all animal pairs in his hand. Go Fish in the Zoo. The winner is the one to match the most pairs of animals.

About the Author :
Linda Thomson is a pediatric nurse practitioner. Certified as an approved consultant in clinical hypnosis by the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis she incorporates hypnosis into her practice to help children help themselves with a variety of physical and emotional problems.

Review :
A while ago now I thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to the two volumes of Harry the Hypno-potamus: Metaphorical Tales and having the privilege of reviewing them. It is great to see that they have become best-sellers. A very well deserved accolade, I feel. I know that I have used the books with children and they have been both greatly helped by them but also highly delighted at their uniqueness and highly innovative delivery. A most definite hit. New from the Linda Thomson stable is a Harry the Hypno-potamus: Imagination Cardsa which feature the various animals that were to be found in the zoo that formed the core of the books.Animal pictures ? Fine. They are fun to see and every bit as engaging as the pictures we came to enjoy in the books BUT it does not stop there. The cards and their animals are being used with a clear aim in mind - to guide the children who use them to a better mastery of self-regulation skills which will help them in life.Self-regulation skills ? These include mental imagery, breathing techniques, muscular relaxation techniques and ego-strengthening. All of them are child specific and fun to use and implement. In no instance will the child feel cornered or threatened but will be led to feel that s/he can have a real input into improving the way they feel and behave in life through learning the varied skills of self-regulation. As an experienced primary school teacher, eleven years of which I served as a Head teacher, I feel that these cards can be an invaluable and exceedingly easy tool to use by teachers and children alike throughout the basic Junior age range of UK schools, 2nd - 5th grades of US schools. They need not be restricted to this age group as, with the correct supervision, I can see these being of use both above and below that stated age range. I can see them being used easily in small groups within the classroom but feel that their effectiveness will be seen not only by educationalists but also by clinicians and therapists, parents and children themselves. Each card introduces an element of self-regulatory technique and imaginative exploration, and the instructions are clear to follow. To start with I would certainly expect the use of the cards to be led by an adult but I feel in no time at all children will become sufficiently au fait with the cards and their instructions, that they can use them themselves with the adult there on the sidelines, as it were. The card set comprises 52 traditional cards of the four suits and contain an animal picture and an instruction. As I have already stated these are easy to follow. There are also four specifically designed games that one can use, full instructions included, with small groups of children. I feel there is also scope for children here to design their own games, and I am sure that some will readily do this as, of course, may the teachers. The working scope of the cards is as limited or expansive as the mind of the person introducing them. So, I like the cards and I like the work that they have been designed to do. I see them being of great use in helping children self-regulate which is, after all, a vital skill in human development. I do have one regret, however, and that is the size and packing of the product. I know only too well how frustrated children can get with packing and with small sized items. Items can soon be torn and rendered useless in a very short time. Small print, too, can be a major problem . The size made is 6.5cm x 9.00cm and is on relatively thin card and in a flimsy box. Although attractive I would say that this could and should be improved upon. I would venture to suggest a size 9.00cm x 13cm on a far more substantial, laminated card and in a more sturdy box. It may be more expensive in outlay but I am confident it would be cost effective for the purchaser and far more easy and clear to use for children. All in all I feel this is an excellent extension of the Harry the Hypno-potamus duo of books and is a potentially very valuable aid in fostering the children's development. David C Slater, hypnotherapist