Abstract

William Wobbly is having a very bad day. He didn't want to go to school and when he got there things just got worse. The wobbly feeling got bigger and bigger and BIGGER until...

Something happened to William Wobbly when he was very little which makes it hard for him to understand or control his feelings. Luckily, his new mum is here to help with his wibbly wobbly feelings.

Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who used to have a lot of wobbly feelings), this is a story for children functioning at age 3-10 who struggle with sensory overload.

This set of books all deal with common emotional and behavioural difficulties of adopted and fostered children. Difficulties are introduced through characters who behave in ways that children can identify with. The text is simple, humorous and with illustrations that grab the reader's attention. The books could be used in many ways but I would see them as a springboard for adults (adoptive parents, social workers or carers) to begin to talk to children about feelings and behaviours. Read aloud, the stories may enable children to recognise that they are not alone and that other children also struggle. It is often difficult for parents or carers to know where to start in talking about these issues. This set of books provides a way of doing this without blaming the child. These books should be available in every adoption agency for use by social workers or to be lent to parents.
Professor Julie Selwyn CBE, Director of the Hadley Centre for Adoption and Foster Care Studies, University of Bristol
After reading the William Wobbly book I used the information and terminology given to connect to my foster daughter. She was amazed that I could not only put into words, but that I could describe and understand how she was feeling.
Marita Beardow, Foster Carer, Early Years Lecturer/Assessor, Derbyshire
[These therapeutic parenting books] are the most valuable books on my book shelf. In my 11 years of fostering I have read many books, but these are different. They are people friendly but real - they are written by someone that has been through looking after traumatised children and who better to offer help, theories and guidance. Sarah has written her books simply which means the traumatised children respond to the characters and can express themselves through the books. I will be offering my copies to everyone that comes into my home to read...well done Sarah Naish and all involved...
Foster Carer
Inspired brilliance, I hope there's a string of sequels.The perfect aid to reach out.
Amazon Reviewer, 5 stars
Sarah Naish is Director of Inspire Training Group www.inspiretraininggroup.com which delivers training to fostering agencies and local authorities on attachment and trauma-related issues. Sarah qualified as a social worker in 1991 and went on to found her own therapeutic fostering agency. She is parent to five adopted children. Her daughter, Rosie Jefferies is also a trainer at Inspire Training Group. Sarah and Rosie both live in Gloucestershire, UK.
Excellent books! I have recommended them to every foster carer/adopter/professional I know! Our kids love them, and enjoy the fact that Sarah and Rosie 'get it'. 5 out of 5 stars.
JS Bradley, Adopter
When mine arrived I read it to my guardian daughter and she liked it and read it again just now. She connected the wobbly feeling with being frightened and how she feels at pre-school. She's only 3 but emotionally younger. Brilliant book and I'm so pleased she was able to make the connection. Well done Sarah and Rosie, you're helping so many little ones and parents/carers.
C Steed, Special Guardian
Thanks to the William Wobbly book our little one has started to verbalise what those feelings in her tummy and head are, telling us her head feels very busy and she also recognised when her brother, who also has attachment disorder, was feeling wobbly. Huge breakthrough in our house! All thanks to your books. Can never thank you enough.
Nicola Meikle-Green, Step Parent, West Yorkshire
Brilliantly applicable for children with attachment difficulties or FASD. It not only helped my child to 'name his feelings' but gave me the right words to say to him - inspired and inspiring. I cannot wait to see the others in this series. Adoption and foster teams should keep them in stock for their carers!
Amazon Reviewer, 5 stars
I have just read William to my daughter, who has responded by saying "I get that wooshy feeling too." I wanted to shout "breakthrough" from the rooftops. In fact I think I will in a minute. Thank you so much. There is so much power finding the right words in a book for children. One happy mummy.
Parent, Australia
William Wobbly arrived today. We read it before bed. Our normally bouncy daughter listened very carefully and would cuddle closer with each page. At the end she asked, "Is that real?" I told her it was a story written by a girl who had the same wobbly feelings that she sometimes has. She lunged forward, gave me a kiss, and said "I love you!" I assured her that she has a Mom who is going to help her with those feelings.
M Swofford, Adopter, America