As an adoptive parent whose daughter had the potential to develop attachment problems I was very pleased to be given this book to review.

The book provides a framework for addressing issues with attachment, grief and loss or early trauma, or Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). The method that the book describes is well thought through and to lay a person with limited knowledge such as me, seems a very practical way of dealing with these problems.

The story of Caleb takes the reader through the acknowledgement of Hurting Beliefs and Behaviours and how to turn them into Healing Beliefs and Behaviours using a set of tools such as the Safe Tree House.

Hurting Beliefs can be illustrated by examples such as "this all happened because I am unlovable, bad, evil" which presents itself as a child who "doesn't show care and love to others".

Many examples are then provided of Healing Beliefs such as "I am a good kid" and Healing Behaviours such as "I do to others as I would have them do to me". These ideas are not new or revolutionary but by putting them together in a framework they become a straightforward way of making lives better.

The concept of the Safe Tree House allows someone suffering from an attachment disorder to build a safe place to go in their minds. "The Safe Tree House is found in a very special place surrounded by the most beautiful garden you could ever imagine". To get to this place a series of keys need to be gained by changing from Hurting Beliefs and Behaviours to Healing Ones.

Having praised the content of the book I do have some issues with the style and presentation. The book is being promoted as appealing to "kids, teens and adults". I would have to disagree - some of the content of the book is presented in an adult manner and would not be suitable for a "kid" to read. The language used is serious and would be difficult for a young child to read, however the illustrations and tone of the book would put teenagers off.

Perhaps it is something in the transatlantic gap, or it could my personal preference but the illustrations in particularly let the book down.

Had the book been segregated into the theory part for the carer's and then sections deliberately aimed at different age groups this would have lived up to its billing.

As it stands I would recommend it as a source of ideas for the carers, but to be of use to the kids and teens the information will need to be presented in a format that suits them.

Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, RRP £13.99

Reviewed by Angus Fosten, adoptive father of two.

Click to buy: A Safe Place for Caleb: An Interactive Book for Kids, Teens and Adults with Issues of Attachment, Grief, Loss or Early Trauma