Tyler's wishes

Tyler, aged seven, thinks a lot about getting a forever family. Sometimes, his social worker helps him sort out what he feels and wants. There are all sorts of things on Tyler’s wish list, but most of all, he wishes for a new family who will love him and be kind.

Tyler’s wishes is intended to help children who are waiting to be placed for adoption to understand and cope with their mixed feelings of uncertainty, apprehension and hope. The book can be used creatively to work with children to explore fears about separation from birth and foster families, and anxieties about the unknown. The book includes pages for children to draw and write their thoughts and feelings, to encourage them to voice their fantasies about adoption and also to come to terms with reality.

A booklet of guidelines for adults reading the book with children – whether social workers or foster carers – is included.

Who is this book for?

Anyone working with children who are about to be, or who are waiting to be, adopted. The book can be used by either social workers or foster carers. The book is ideal for children aged six and over.

What you will find in this book

This colourfully illustrated book provides children with a chance to work through their wishes and feelings about moving to a new adoptive family, and to come to terms with the reality. Pages are included with questions to prompt children to write and draw their thoughts and wishes.

I think a lot about being adopted. Sometimes Elizabeth, my foster carer, and Louis, my social worker, help me sort out what I feel. We talk about all sorts of families that could be right for me. Louis brings a wizard wand and I make lots of magic wishes.

A booklet of guidelines for adults reading the book with children – whether social workers or foster carers – is included.

Author

Helen Kahn is a social workers who works in the adoption team in Waltham Forest children’s services. She is also a foster carer and has written articles and reviews for magazines. Helen delivers life story work training to adopters, foster carers and social workers.

Illustrator

Sarah Rawlings is an illustrator of children’s books. She also illustrated CoramBAAF’s Nutmeg series of books for children.