A Secure Base
John Bowlby · first published 1988 · ISBN 9780415006408
Bowlby, a psychiatrist who spent decades observing how children form bonds with their parents and caregivers, presents a framework for understanding attachment. The book collects lectures he gave near the end of his career, laying out how early relationships shape a child's ability to trust, explore, and connect throughout their life. His work shows why caregivers matter and what happens when those bonds are threatened or broken.
On our lists
The Best Books About Child Development
This is where attachment theory begins. For parents, teachers, and school psychologists, Bowlby's work is the foundation for understanding why connection matters so much. It explains behavior in ways that change how you respond to children.