Poppy's Miracle - by Michelle Foulia (Paperback)

About the Book

Written in dyslexia-friendly font, the story includes journal pages to help the reader process, understand and celebrate their ADHD

Book Synopsis

Ten-year-old Alex doesn't want to go on holiday to Greece with his family.

The only advantage is being far away from Jason, who bullies him for having ADHD. What Alex doesn't realise is that this holiday will change his life forever when he meets a stray, abandoned puppy. When the puppy is injured, Alex is determined to care for her and take her back home to England.

Can Alex and his family overcome the mountain of challenges to reach his dream? And can he prove to his family that ADHD is a gift, not a disorder?

Will determination be enough to make this miracle come true?

This book, written in dyslexia-friendly font, also includes journal pages with activities to help the reader process, understand and celebrate themselves, and their gifts.

Based on a true story

The book begins with a letter from the author to the reader, sharing her experience growing up with ADHD and how writing has been a therapeutic process for her.

It leads into the story, then follows up with a variety of tools to help a child manage their challenges, as well as prompts that can be used for journalling, discussion, or drawing. The prompts help the child process the story, understand their neurodiversity, and identify their gifts, celebrating themselves instead of focusing on the label 'disorder'

It ends with the author describing the true story of Poppy's rescue in 2015 while living in Greece with her husband and children, while also fostering two siblings from Greece. There are photos of the day of Poppy's adoption into the family and an invitation for the reader to write to the author should they wish to (with the supervision of a responsible adult) to share their own story or experience and how the book helped them.

This book has been used as a reader book in a school for children with special needs and was loved by the entire class. The teacher fed back that it was the first time the children were so eager to read and discuss the story because they saw themselves in the story. They used the book to analyse vocabulary, to learn comprehension and to develop key reading skills. At the end I provided a virtual author visit where they got to meet Poppy and ask any questions they had

Poppy's Miracle can be used by child therapists, teachers, parents, foster carers, grandparents, extended family members, coaches and anybody who is working with children and wants to see them embrace their neurodiversity and celebrate who they are

Review Quotes

"Beautifully written and illustrated book. It shows the importance of rescue pets, and the value these pets can have in the lives of neurodiverse children. A warm, life-affirming and important book, full of essential information and exercises to help young readers"

Bob Stone

Write Blend Bookshop, Liverpool, UK

"I am sitting with tears streaming down my face after just having finished this beautiful book.

The whole story is so moving and the work sheets at the back are really incredible"

Marie Crawford

Retired Occupational Therapist

"An uplifting true story, filled with compassion, care and understanding.

The dilemmas faced by the family in the book provide springboards for discussion, where children can be encouraged to think freely and deeply as they explore their own understanding of the world.

The family's actions also signpost how children can be supported to notice the vulnerable, get involved in their communities and make a positive difference in the world in which they live".

Julia Warren

Remedial reading teacher

"The writer paints a picture of the ups and downs of difference from the perspective of the whole family. Wonderful clear tips on what can help and encouragement to accept yourself and to have the best life possible by embracing your uniqueness and finding the best way forward".

Stella Neophytou

Grief counsellor

What a beautiful, humorous, compelling story filled with hope for us all. It's a story every child will want to read.

You showed us that amazing things can happen when you trust and follow your dreams. It is also very informative regarding the subject of ADHD; I know many parents will be grateful for your insight and advice.

Your ideas for coping mechanisms will be of great value, I know. The opportunity for the reader to reflect on the story in written form and relate it to their own experiences are valuable activities.

Asking children to focus on their own personal qualities will enrich their self-esteem. The comprehension elements of the integrated activities will improve comprehension skills, including inference and deduction skills.

Moreover, you've given children the opportunity to write their own version of the story which will enable them to practise a variety of creative writing skills: the effective use of descriptive vocabulary, sequencing, paragraphs, structure, punctuation and grammar, etc. The book would make an excellent teaching aid!

Athena Yardley

Retired middle school teacher