Mia is little and feeling utterly powerless. She has promised to keep a secret, but now this secret feels wrong. And now that she has played the secret game, she is frightened — frightened that “he” will be angry if she tells, frightened that no one will understand. Only her stuffed bear, Tikki, has seen everything and knows how much this secret hurts.

He comes again and again. Mia tries to stop him, but now he’s angry with her. If only she hadn’t made the promise. Then, Mia has an idea. Tikki has promised nothing. Maybe Tikki can speak to her mother and stop the hurt at last.

For children caught in abuse, there often seems to be no way out. Mia’s Secret offers a way and helps children see that even “trusted” adults are wrong to involve them in anything they cannot share with others. Written in clear, concise language and endorsed by The Gatehouse, Mia’s Secret is a reassuring read for the one in four children who eventually experience sexual abuse. And it’s an ounce of prevention for any child who might not otherwise recognize the signs that signal danger.