Oli and the pink bicycle

It’s Oli’s seventh birthday – the first one since her new mamma and papa adopted her – and she’s really excited about the present she has been promised. A pink bicycle! But Oli’s special day doesn’t go to plan and she is so angry that she just screams and screams.

Nothing ever seems to go right for Oli. Her first mamma drank too much alcohol and took bad medicine when Oli was just a tiny bump in her tummy. Now Oli finds numbers and spelling difficult, can’t always make her arms and legs do what she wants them to and often loses her temper. Oli is sad and doesn’t know what to do, until the mysterious Aggie Witchhazel sets her a series of challenges to help her discover all the good things about herself.

This story about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome will be helpful for any child aged seven to 11 whose development and behaviour has been affected by parental substance misuse, or who knows someone else who is affected.

This short booklet for children is part of a series designed to teach children about a range of health conditions common to many looked after children.

Who is this book for?

Any child aged seven to 11 whose development and behaviour has been affected by parental substance misuse, or who knows someone else who is affected. The booklet is designed for a child to read with a parent, carer or worker available to talk through it with them and answer possible questions.

What you will find in this book

This short story introduces Oli and her adoptive family, and follows her through her difficulties with behaviour and schoolwork, and learning about her condition, how this affects her, and all the good things about herself.

The book includes a question and answer section which covers a wide range of queries and concerns about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, and provides practical information and advice in a straightforward and child-friendly style.

Author

Catherine Jackson is a writer, journalist and cartoonist. She is the author of Parenting a child with mental health issues.

Illustrator

Rachel Fuller specialises in children’s books, developing and illustrating novelty packages as well as young fiction and educational materials. She has also illustrated A safe place for Rufus, Why can't I be good?, Elfa and the box of memories and Spark learns to fly.