Too Scared to Cry

Brothers Ben and Damien are shockingly quiet when they arrive on Maggie’s doorstep. They don’t shout or play like normal three and four year olds. They hardly dare make a sound, so much have they been conditioned to be ‘seen and not heard’ by their mother and controlling stepfather.

More disturbingly, their little baby half-brother Noah is completely unresponsive. He doesn’t play, he doesn’t smile, he doesn’t crawl – he doesn’t even cry. In a state of blankness brought about by emotional neglect, poor baby Noah is disconnected from the world. Maggie has never seen such a young life so affected before. Yet with time, love and care, Maggie gradually unpicks what has caused this terrible void. With love and affection, they are no longer scared to be themselves.

A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.

‘Such a beautiful book’ 5* Amazon reader review