Best Book Publishers UK | Austin Macauley Publishers
Let the Souls of Our Children Sing-bookcover

By: Leonora Langley

Let the Souls of Our Children Sing

Pages: 152 Ratings: 5.0
Book Format: Choose an option

*Available directly from our distributors, click the Available On tab below

As the stigma and taboos around mental health issues soften, unparalleled numbers of people are seeking counselling, psychotherapy and life coaching. Millions of viewers are transfixed to the emotional traumas played out in reality TV shows, soaps and dramas such as Homecoming, The Bodyguard and Wanderlust. As part of this awakening to the importance of emotional well-being, many parents, educators and carers of the young are bravely attending to their own wounds and are now more determined than ever to mitigate the wounding of the children in their care.


Langley believes that the greatest impediment to young people's development as free-thinking, spiritually-enlightened and emotionally-responsive, integrated human beings is that mainstream education is still based on a nineteenth-century model emphasising cognition and logic, which can be counted and measured, over the enrichment of children's souls which is beyond measure. The existing anachronistic structure desperately needs a new paradigm. At a time when arts education is seen as an increasingly marginal activity in state schooling, she argues that it is only by putting children's innate creativity and curiosity at the heart of our educational mission that we can hope to re-engage the vast number of young people switched off from the current system and avoid the poverty of imagination and the absence of hope which are the root causes of so many contemporary ills.

Leonora Langley has divided her professional life between education and journalism, beginning as a teacher in the 1970s. In the 1980s she became increasingly active as a journalist and in 1984 she moved to the USA, where she created and for four years edited a lifestyle magazine for The Hollywood Reporter. From 1988, she was the first west-coast editor of the US edition of Elle magazine and became a regular contributor to Bon Appetit magazine. Returning to the UK in the 1990s, she resumed teaching, specialising in music, English and drama, in the process liaising with world-class organisations such as Glyndebourne Opera. More recently, she has qualified as a counsellor and, through the aegis of music in her role as a piano tutor, she has facilitated an outlet for her students’ emotions. Leonora Langley is a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, an Associate of the New Era Academy of Drama and Music and her M.A. explored aesthetics in relation to drama in education.

Customer Reviews
5.0
17 reviews
17 reviews
  • ARLINE

    An outstanding book, a very insightful read.. Thank you 5*.

    This book is outstanding and one I have struggled to put down. It really does give you an insight into our children's mental health and psychological development. Times are different for our children what once used to be climbing trees, playing board games.. has now turned into a mass of social media with less creative play.
    I have noticed how social media has taken over our children's lives.
    I'm glad someone has recognised this too. Thank you, I hope this book reaches parents/teachers/adults far and wide... highly recommend it.

  • Albertine Simonet

    The book parents and teachers have been waiting for...

    Hearing Leonora Langley on the radio prompted me to get a copy of her recently published book. Many of us already knew her from her earlier book ‘Let the Children Sing’, published in 2004, of which the present book is an extensively revised and updated edition. Many more of us know her as a charismatic teacher who, by putting into practice the principles she now writes about, has turned around the lives of many. There is nothing eccentric, new-fangled or even frighteningly radical in these principles, which are based on common sense, a child-centred perspective and the wisdom of enlightened thinkers and practitioners through the ages. Basically, she is highly critical of parenting styles which neglect the development of the child’s emotional well-being, and of how, in her words, ‘mainstream education undervalues the nurturing of children’s souls over academic achievement’. In response to this, she offers ‘an innovative model where the sciences and arts go hand in hand putting creativity and imagination at the heart of all learning’. There is nothing fancy or pretentious about this book: it is clear, to the point, and exceptionally well-written. It should be read by every parent and teacher.

  • Brian

    The book every parent, teacher, and educator should read.
    A most insightful book for all future and existing parents and educators. I have read many similar books, all have been excellent with invaluable advice on how to understand and embrace the marvellous dynamics of raising children. This book is in a totally different league and is a pure jewel. Leonora takes the 'tough love' concept to a deep, emotional level. A real eye and mind opener and a definite must-read.

  • Kym pavitt

    A relevant, inspirational-a must-read for every parent & teacher.
    Amazing book-every parent & teachers should read this book.
    With our children’s mental & emotional well being in overload during these strange times, this book is a useful tool for inspiration & guidance.
    So relevant at the present time.
    A truly great read.

  • Andrew T.

    This book is an absolute must-read; for both parents and anyone looking to better understand themselves and the emotional development of children, within an educational setting.
    Through its insightful philosophy and enlightening content, I gained a better understanding of my childhood experience, moreover, crucial developmental processes that were suppressed by the educational system in its current format. Totally thought-provoking!

  • Chris Jones

    This is a seminal book about nurturing the emotional well-being of our children. Leonora Langley writes with love and compassion, free of judgment and fear, to create an invaluable handbook for parents, educators, and carers of the young.

  • Mary Stupple

    Being a child of the 1950s, I wish someone had written this book for my teachers. My experience at school was traumatic. I needed nurturing on a level that was not provided for my creative nature. I did not fit into star charts and exams so was left feeling sub-standard.
    For all the children that are now going through that experience, I sincerely hope and pray that teachers, parents and anyone who influences young people's precious lives, will pick up this amazingly truthful book, which is full of wonderful insights, and put them into practice.

  • Eleanor Giles

    Absolute must read!

    This book is emotive, intense and relatable to many people. Probably people who wouldn't have thought they could relate to it. Coming from a 23 year old this book really captures a variety of audiences. It talks about many issues including education and how children are taught and how the education system needs reviewing and changing for the generations of children to come. It also is full of psychology and talks about how children engage with adults and other children. This book has made me understand myself in ways I never used to and I encourage parents. grandparents, educators and anyone interested in the welfare of young people to read it.

Write a Review
Your post will be reviewed and published soon. Multiple reviews on one book from the same IP address will be deleted.

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience and for marketing purposes.
By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies