The most precious present in the world

This illustrated book for young children explores questions that might preoccupy an adopted child. Mia wants to know why she looks different to her adoptive parents; why her birth parents didn’t want to keep her and whether her curly hair, dark eyes and dimple really are goodbye presents from her birth parents.

Although young children might sometimes worry about looking physically different to their family members, this picture book helps adopted children to understand that physical difference is not a barrier to finding love and security within an adoptive family.

The simply written, yet engaging story touches upon the profound themes of loss, separation and belonging, and gives children the reassuring messages that not only are they very special to their adoptive parents but that it is alright for them to have mixed feelings about their adoption.

The book can be used by adoptive parents as well as child placement social workers. This reassuring and thoughtful story will appeal to young adopted children as they begin to explore what it means to be adopted and how this makes them feel.