Conversations with authors - Ann Dix - Domestic Abuse 

Little-Mouse Finds a Safe Place is a children's storybook designed to help professionals support children who have experienced and witnessed domestic violence and abuse, and also contains guidelines on the key issues and how to use the story with individuals and groups.

Little-Mouse is confused and anxious. He liked his new Dad and his Mum says everything is OK, but Little-Mouse is seeing things and hearing things that make him feel really worried. Little-Mouse doesn't know what to do, or who to talk to. When things get even worse, Little-Mouse suddenly finds himself needing to make a decision. What will Little-Mouse do? Will he and his Mum get away? Will Little-Mouse ever feel safe again?

When children have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse and violence, they are frequently left with many confusing and worrying emotions. They can feel responsible, guilty, ashamed, angry with themselves and their parents, frightened and insecure. They need to be enabled by empathic adults to safely express and understand their experience, and to work through and make sense of their feelings.

Little Mouse Finds a Safe Place is a children's storybook designed to help professionals support children through this process, written by therapist Ann Dix, who has more than 20 years experience of working with children and families who have experienced domestic abuse. Beautifully and subtly illustrated by Jacqueline Quinn (herself a therapist), the book is designed to be read with children; it also contains guidelines and resources for professional and parental use.  Both a genuinely thrilling and moving story for children, Little-Mouse also concisely conveys many important psychological messages which will be evident to professionals working in this field. It has been approved and 'road-tested' by both groups of children and individual children, who have helped develop the story. Little-Mouse genuinely conveys the tension and anguish of children in this situation, as well as providing a safe and contained ending that can open discussion with children and enable them to begin their own journey of healing with the adult alongside.    

The Author
Ann Dix is a dramatherapist, supervisor, trainer and author.  Originally trained as a drama teacher, Ann has worked as a therapist with children and families for over 20 years. Currently, Ann works for Northpoint Wellbeing as a school therapist, where she has developed a programme for children who have experienced domestic abuse, based around the character of Little-Mouse. Ann also has a private practice offering therapy, supervision and training.

The Illustrator
Over the last 40 years, Jacqueline Quinn has been a social worker, teacher, psychotherapist, mum and grannie. She has also completed an arts degree, and now draws, paints, makes and illustrates. Her illustrations are all hand-crafted, painted and drawn in her studio with her cat Lottie beside her, since Lottie is, understandably, very interested in mice

You can purchase Little Mouse Finds a Safe Place by clicking on BOOKS at the top of this page or on Amazon