Here’s the thing, life can be hard. And sometimes it can be even harder for kids who have to go into foster care. And maybe there are some kids who have friends who are in foster care. Sometimes kids in foster care may feel like they are all alone. These are some books that may help. The books don’t make everything all sunshine and rainbows…but they do show that even though things are hard, there is still some hope that life will be okay and they can get through this hard time. And hope is a gift that can make a difference.
By Lauren Kerstein
Illustrated by Natalia Moore
Magination Press, an imprint of the American Psychological Association, 2021. Picture Book.
Calvin is a foster child and has lived in many places. Right now, he lives with Maggie, who offers hugs and emotional support when Calvin has a hard time and doesn’t always do what he should. This book shows children that even if children have a hard time, their foster parents will still love and support them.
By Mary and Kevin Qamaniq-Mason
Illustrated by Hwei Lim
Iqaluit, Nunavut; Inhabit Media Inc., 2020. Picture Book.
In this sweet story Pakak is in a foster home; however, he has a special secret that his grandmother, his anaanattiaq, has told him—that he is loved no matter how far away his family is. This book goes through all the emotions that a young child might feel when being away from their family.
By Alice Faye Duncan
Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2020. Picture Book.
This book tells the story of a young girl named Carol Olivia Clementine who lives with Mama Rose while she waits to potentially live with her Mommy and Daddy again. This story shows how Mama Rose cares for the Carol, helps the child learn lessons (from telling time to doing her chores), and also encourages the girl to become the best that she can be. This is a sweet story all about how a child can live with someone who isn’t their biological mom and how both the child and the adult who is “Just Like a Mama” can both love each other.
By Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrated by Maribel Lechuga
Charlesbridge, 2021. Picture Book.
Lily is a young girl who is moving to her grandmother’s farm. While they drive to Lily’s new home they count all the things that they can see that are beautiful on their drive—and while they do, Lily realizes that there is still good things in the world. Although this book doesn’t necessarily say that Lily is going into foster care, it does show that a child’s world is changing and that a child can still look for good in their new situations.
By Shirin Shamsi
Illustrated by Manal Mirza
Barefoot Books, 2022. Picture Book.
This is a story about a girl named Zahra who is wishing for something very special for Ramadan—a sister. Her family work to help serve those at a shelter during the midst of their Ramadan celebrations. Eventually Zahra family fosters one of the girls at the shelter that Zahra became friends with—and Zahra gets her wish for a sister showing that strong bonds can form in foster families.
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