Book review: Being, becoming and thriving as an early years practitioner: A guide for education and early years students and tutors

Being, Becoming and Thriving as an Early Years Practitioner  by Annie Pendrey is an engaging, upbeat introduction to early childhood practice for readers prepared to forgive its flaws. The value of the book lies in the evident joy that Pendrey takes in working with young children, and the energy she brings to sharing this with emerging early years practitioners. The book is focused firmly on the practitioner, and the knowledge and critical reflection that will enable them to “be, become, and thrive”—thereby supporting children to do the same. While some terms will be more familiar to UK readers (such as “Nursery Nurse”), there is clear resonance for the Australian early childhood sector and its focus on  Belonging, Being and Becoming  (the title of the national Early Years Learning Framework). The recognition that practitioners must be, become, and thrive themselves in order to support children is itself a worthy contribution.