The story has two parts: 'Tia's wishes and her new family' and 'Tia's new family'. Each text page is accompanied by a page which includes questions to encourage the child to think about what they want in their new family, feelings about the past and the future, and space to illustrate their hopes and fears.

The story starts with material wishes and dreams - usually less threatening for children - then moves on, as Tia does, to help the child explore more difficult areas.

Tia's Wishes should be regarded as an integral part of life story work for children, according to BAAF, who need permanent alternative families. The book can be used to work with children well before a new family is identified to explore fears about separation from birth and foster families and anxieties about the unknown.

Sensitively written guidelines will help the adoption worker, or foster carer, to get the most out of each section of the story.

While the central character, a young girl of seven and a half, will appeal to girls of various ages and to young boys, older boys may prefer to wait for a companion book featuring a boy as the central character, to be published by BAAF next year.

The following materials come with the book:

'Here is an excellent book which helps social workers listen to the views of children being prepared for adoption. It helps children understand what it is they want, and it helps adopters understand more about the children they are being prepared to look after. All this an a free packet to glitter too!'

The book costs RRP £15.95 + £2.79 VAT + £3.50 p&p (total £22.24 each) and is available from BAAF.

Click to buy: Tia's Wishes