A safe place for Rufus

SPECIAL OFFER - Buy this book together with Morris and the bundle of worries and Elfa and the box of memories for just £25. Find out more.

Rufus the cat loved curling up in his favourite place and dreaming of pilchards. But it hadn’t always been like this…When Rufus was a kitten, he lived with a different family who weren’t always kind. Rufus still remembered those times and bad memories followed him everywhere. Would he ever find a safe place where he could be cosy and calm and dream his dreams?

This charming picture book for children explores the importance of feeling safe and banishing fears, and becoming settled in a new environment.

Listen to our author interview

In this delightful conversation CoramBAAF's Publishing Manager, Jo Francis, speaks with Jill Seeney about the success of her children's books over the years. They dig into what sparked the ideas for the stories and why they've struck a chord with social workers, carers, and kids over time.

Who is this book for?

Young children aged three and above, especially those who are adopted or placed in foster care.

What you will find in this book

Everyone was kind and gentle in his new home. But when Rufus first arrived…

He roared like a tiger, if ever he was cross.

He wouldn’t eat anything apart from pilchards.

And if anyone raised their voice, he shot to the top of the tree at the bottom of the garden before you could say ‘Rufus Robinson’!

This beautifully illustrated story book explores how children may be affected by a difficult start to life or traumatic memories of their past. It focuses on how children can be helped to heal and learn to feel at home and attached in new surroundings.

The book is accompanied by practical guidelines for adults reading the story with children that provide examples of questions and statements to encourage and initiate interaction.

Author

Jill Seeney has worked with children as a social worker, counsellor, and French teacher, and previously studied psychology and educational psychology.

Illustrator

Rachel Fuller specialises in children’s books, developing and illustrating novelty packages as well as young fiction and educational materials. She has illustrated several books for CoramBAAF including Elfa and the box of memories, Morris and the bundle of worries and Spark learns to fly.