There are many good children’s books about adoption, but still a dearth of books about foster care. It is a painful subject to write about, but it is also hard when a foster child thinks he or she is the only one going through it, and also when other children don’t understand. The following books can be used by foster parents, social workers and therapists to help children understand some of the reasons they might be in foster care, the roles of the adults including biological family, foster parents, social worker, therapist and judge; and who makes the decisions about foster care, family reunification or adoption.
One book, Family Day: Celebrating Ethan’s Adoption Anniversary might also be used to introduce the idea of foster care to the general population of children, many of whom will encounter a foster child in a school or activity. This book is about a five-year-old adopted a year ago. He and his parents plan to celebrate, reminisce, and look at his life book, which brings up Ethan’s mixed feelings about his birth family. The book is especially intended for the older foster child, child adopted from foster care, and children in transracial placements. As one reviewer put it, “It portrays adoption as a special but normal way to build a family”. The back of the book includes a section for prospective parents about the process of adopting a child from foster care.
The Star: A Story to Help Young Children Understand Foster Care
Dsigned for young children, this story is about a young girl named Kit who has many questions about why she is in her new foster home and what that will mean. A star outside her window tells her about other foster children he has seen.
The Star also has a companion handbook with bonding activities and guidelines for foster parents on discussing issues with their foster children.
Zachary’s New Home also seeks to reassure children. It features a kitten who is placed with a swan family. Several parent reviewers said they didn’t like one part where kitten runs away to try and find his birth family. (That part ends with police bringing him back to the swans, where he is comforted and they have a good talking and bonding time.) Readers said that it was fairly easy to skip this part in reading to a young child.
Families Change: A Book for Children Experiencing Termination of Parental Rights (a book from the Kids Are Important series)
has favorable reviews from foster parents, and mental health personnel. One reviewer points out that the book is not designed for birth parents—in her opinion, it may make them fear for the loss of their child.
Also from the Kids Are Important Series comes Kids Need to Be Safe: A Book for Children in Foster Care. It is also designed for ages 4-10. Many foster kids and parents found it good; some question the phrases “most parents are able to take care of their children, and “all parents love their children”. The main message of the book is repeated on each two-page spread: “Kids are Important, Kids Need to be Safe”.
Finding the Right Spot: When Kids Can’t Live With Their Parents
is aimed at a bit older audience, approximately ages 6-12. It helps kids to identify with the protagonist as she is deals with various feelings—disappointment when her birthmother doesn’t come for her visit, anger which the foster mother allows her to release by pounding dough.
For writings by teenagers in foster care, see my review of The Heart Knows Something Different.
Please see these related blogs:
There is a Foster Child on Your Doorstep