The Piggle

Book excerpt: Between the age of two and five, a little girl nicknamed âe~the Piggleâe(tm) âe" seriously disturbed by the birth of a younger sister âe" visited Dr Winnicott on sixteen occasions. A verbatim account of her visits is accompanied by illuminating excerpts from letters written to the analyst by the childâe(tm)s parents and an invaluable commentary by Dr Winnicott. This allows the reader to experience in detail the growth of a relationship between child and therapist and the gradual unfolding of the childâe(tm)s inner world. This classic piece of writing gives the reader the rare opportunity of being admitted to the intimacy of the consulting room and of studying the child and therapist at work. Of special value to professionals working with children, it will also fascinate anyone interested in how psychoanalysis works in practice.