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Is It My Fault Mummy?: And other true stories from the nation's favourite foster carer
Maggie Hartley is one of the UK's most prolific foster mothers. This inspiring collection includes three heartbreaking, true short stories about the children who have passed through Maggie's care.
IS IT MY FAULT MUMMY?
Seven-year-old Paris is trapped in a prison of guilt. Devastated after the death of her baby brother, Joel, Maggie faces one of her most heartbreaking cases yet as she tries to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl.
A DESPERATE CRY FOR HELP
Twelve-year-old Meg arrives at Maggie's after a fire destroys the children's home she's been living in. Traumatised by the fire and angry and vulnerable, having been put into care by her mother, Meg is lashing out at everyone around her. Can Maggie reach this damaged little girl before it's too late? And before Meg's destructive behaviour puts Maggies life - and the lives of the other children in her care - at risk?
These heartwarming and inspiring short stories show the power of a foster mother's love, and her determination to help the children who come into her care.
Two of these stories have previously been published as individual ebooks.
IS IT MY FAULT MUMMY?
Seven-year-old Paris is trapped in a prison of guilt. Devastated after the death of her baby brother, Joel, Maggie faces one of her most heartbreaking cases yet as she tries to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl.
A DESPERATE CRY FOR HELP
Twelve-year-old Meg arrives at Maggie's after a fire destroys the children's home she's been living in. Traumatised by the fire and angry and vulnerable, having been put into care by her mother, Meg is lashing out at everyone around her. Can Maggie reach this damaged little girl before it's too late? And before Meg's destructive behaviour puts Maggies life - and the lives of the other children in her care - at risk?
These heartwarming and inspiring short stories show the power of a foster mother's love, and her determination to help the children who come into her care.
Two of these stories have previously been published as individual ebooks.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 19, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 11, 2020
Foster carer Maggie Hartley is used to receiving placements at short notice, but the arrival of seven-year-old Paris sees her handling one of her most heart-breaking cases yet.
Paris arrives at Maggie's house with the police, after the traumatised little girl is found wandering the streets alone, sobbing that she can't wake up her baby brother. When the police eventually discover where Paris lives, they make a shocking discovery: her mum and stepdad are in a heroin-induced coma, and it's too late to save five-month-old baby Joel.
Paris is convinced it's all her fault but slowly, through love and care, she begins to open up to Maggie and reveals the horrendous neglect and abuse she and her brother endured. Maggie is stunned to discover that Paris knows exactly how to make a bottle and change a nappy, and it soon becomes clear that this little girl was forced to shoulder the responsibility of looking after her baby brother singlehandedly.
With both parents on remand in prison and charged with neglect, Maggie must slowly try to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl and help her heal from the trauma of her brother's death.
Paris arrives at Maggie's house with the police, after the traumatised little girl is found wandering the streets alone, sobbing that she can't wake up her baby brother. When the police eventually discover where Paris lives, they make a shocking discovery: her mum and stepdad are in a heroin-induced coma, and it's too late to save five-month-old baby Joel.
Paris is convinced it's all her fault but slowly, through love and care, she begins to open up to Maggie and reveals the horrendous neglect and abuse she and her brother endured. Maggie is stunned to discover that Paris knows exactly how to make a bottle and change a nappy, and it soon becomes clear that this little girl was forced to shoulder the responsibility of looking after her baby brother singlehandedly.
With both parents on remand in prison and charged with neglect, Maggie must slowly try to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl and help her heal from the trauma of her brother's death.
June 11, 2018
Paris
Another great read from Maggie she looks after a little girl who has had a really sad time but with Maggie's help gets through it 5 STARS .
Another great read from Maggie she looks after a little girl who has had a really sad time but with Maggie's help gets through it 5 STARS .
September 19, 2025
Another amazing short book by Maggie Hartley, absolutely heartbreaking but an amazing outcome for little Paris.
Paris arrives at Maggie's house when the police found the traumatised little girl wandering the streets alone trying to find her way to the shops to get her baby brother milk, sobbing because she is unable to wake up her baby brother. When the police found out where Paris lives, they made a shocking discovery that her mother and stepfather were in a heroin induced coma, and it was too late to save Paris’s baby brother Joel. Paris believes it was entirely her fault that her baby brother died, which is truly devastating! Paris soon discovers that she was the one who fed, dressed, and bathed her younger brother, treating him as if he were her own child!
Honestly this book had me in bits! I would recommend everyone to read Maggie Hartley’s books as it’s definitely an eye opening! It definitely shocks and disgusts me by how people treat their children like they are not human beings! Sickening.
My heart goes out to all these children❤️
5 stars per usual ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paris arrives at Maggie's house when the police found the traumatised little girl wandering the streets alone trying to find her way to the shops to get her baby brother milk, sobbing because she is unable to wake up her baby brother. When the police found out where Paris lives, they made a shocking discovery that her mother and stepfather were in a heroin induced coma, and it was too late to save Paris’s baby brother Joel. Paris believes it was entirely her fault that her baby brother died, which is truly devastating! Paris soon discovers that she was the one who fed, dressed, and bathed her younger brother, treating him as if he were her own child!
Honestly this book had me in bits! I would recommend everyone to read Maggie Hartley’s books as it’s definitely an eye opening! It definitely shocks and disgusts me by how people treat their children like they are not human beings! Sickening.
My heart goes out to all these children❤️
5 stars per usual ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 22, 2025
You can't do anything but feel sad for such a young girl. A well written book that gets you to see if not only from the adults perspective but also the little girls perspective.
Definitely a book to read.
Definitely a book to read.
July 12, 2021
You may want to have a box of tissues handy.
June 19, 2023
heartbreaking
This story is absolutely heartbreaking for poor Paris and little Joel. I’m happy that in the end Paris found a home with loving parents and a chance of a new start and time to heal, although I know that trauma will always be with her. Hearing how she’d cared for Joel singlehandedly at such a young age, how she knew how to make and heat a bottle and had been the only one who was changing his nappies and clothes and bathing him was so sad, and the awful events of his little life being cut short were horrific. I hope she knows she did everything she could and more for that little baby and that he’ll always be with her. I’ve sobbed so much during this one
This story is absolutely heartbreaking for poor Paris and little Joel. I’m happy that in the end Paris found a home with loving parents and a chance of a new start and time to heal, although I know that trauma will always be with her. Hearing how she’d cared for Joel singlehandedly at such a young age, how she knew how to make and heat a bottle and had been the only one who was changing his nappies and clothes and bathing him was so sad, and the awful events of his little life being cut short were horrific. I hope she knows she did everything she could and more for that little baby and that he’ll always be with her. I’ve sobbed so much during this one
July 20, 2018
Paris
This is a very traumatic time for Paris , with love and much dedication and work this ,foster carer has done. miracles..I'm so glad you wrote about it as people can read this story and maybe, you will encourage other people to become foster carers to. I myself did it for 11years loved every minute of it
This is a very traumatic time for Paris , with love and much dedication and work this ,foster carer has done. miracles..I'm so glad you wrote about it as people can read this story and maybe, you will encourage other people to become foster carers to. I myself did it for 11years loved every minute of it
June 8, 2018
Great story..
June 27, 2021
NON FICTION
This is a couple of hours read. Just 80 odd pages.
It is so good but heart wrenching and so sad too.
To nip pick the baby started of bold but then had a good head of hair further on in the story and little mistakes like that grind on me. Especially with a book that is only a few pages long.
#nonfictionbooks #isitmyfault #maggiehartley #goodreads📚 #shortreads
This is a couple of hours read. Just 80 odd pages.
It is so good but heart wrenching and so sad too.
To nip pick the baby started of bold but then had a good head of hair further on in the story and little mistakes like that grind on me. Especially with a book that is only a few pages long.
#nonfictionbooks #isitmyfault #maggiehartley #goodreads📚 #shortreads
January 23, 2025
The sadness and the horror that this little girl not only witnessed but experienced left me heart broken. There was so much emotion, good and bad, in this short book that at one point it would have me crying and at another laughing my butt off. Maggie's dedication to every child no matter how short a stay or how complicated a situation is inspirational in more ways than one.
July 25, 2018
5*
Another fantastic read, i could not put it down. My heart broke for that poor child, and all she had to go through. I'm happy she got a family & home she deserved.
Again another child saved by Maggie 👼
Another fantastic read, i could not put it down. My heart broke for that poor child, and all she had to go through. I'm happy she got a family & home she deserved.
Again another child saved by Maggie 👼
February 23, 2022
Quite well written and engaging for such a short story. Looking forward to reading more from Maggie Hartley in the future.
July 6, 2025
I loved hearing about these children's stories. maggie Hartley is a very good author and is very underrated in my opinion. I would love to read more of her books. very emotional and upsetting at this happens all the time.
June 7, 2018
Sad read
June 14, 2018
Inspiring Paris
This as all of Maggie’s book was very good. Paris was an amazing little girl. Loved this very inspiring story
This as all of Maggie’s book was very good. Paris was an amazing little girl. Loved this very inspiring story
June 20, 2018
One of her best books
I loved this book.
Very moving
Easy to get engrossed in it
Very sad but very well written
Very sad that a child has to be responsible
I loved this book.
Very moving
Easy to get engrossed in it
Very sad but very well written
Very sad that a child has to be responsible
July 7, 2018
Awesome
This book was very good. I would recommend this to everyone. This has a great ending. Sad start, very sad , Ending was very good.
This book was very good. I would recommend this to everyone. This has a great ending. Sad start, very sad , Ending was very good.
November 29, 2018
Short but sweet
As Paris not with Maggie long story was a little predictable but enjoyable non the less,
Another one to tick off my list
As Paris not with Maggie long story was a little predictable but enjoyable non the less,
Another one to tick off my list
Read
April 27, 2019Sad but gripping
Another fantastic book by Maggie. Such a sad read though a harsh reminder of the terrible way some children are treated.
Another fantastic book by Maggie. Such a sad read though a harsh reminder of the terrible way some children are treated.
June 15, 2019
Brilliant read
September 13, 2019
Heart-breaking, but a good book.
December 9, 2019
Heartbreaking
Adults have a lot to answer for. I wonder how Paris is now and how she can ever recover from such an awful event in her life. So sad
Adults have a lot to answer for. I wonder how Paris is now and how she can ever recover from such an awful event in her life. So sad
December 26, 2019
Brilliant book
December 30, 2019
This story touched my heart as I have a baby sister that is the age of the little girl in this and I cant imagine having to explain a situation like this to her
January 24, 2020
Very sad read very hard to read.
April 17, 2020
Really easy read . Maggie writes beautifully about such a hard subject.
October 17, 2020
Really good I would recommend this book to anyone. Really opens your eyes. Xxx
April 25, 2021
Good book
July 2, 2021
Such a sad, heart wrenching narrative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews