Book Resources for Children Impacted by Foster Care
Processing and adjusting to life impacted by foster care can be quite challenging for little ones— whether it is a child who finds themselves in foster care, or children in homes that provide care to foster children. As a caregiver, the more you can communicate with little ones, and help them through their experience the better; however, sometimes knowing just what to say in a way they will understand can be difficult. That’s exactly why I have put together a resource of books that can help!
TOP RANKED BOOKS FOR CHLIDREN IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE
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Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care
Touches on the foster care system, roles of individuals who are often involved (such as social worker, parents, lawyers, the judge), and addresses many of the questions children in foster care ask.
Kids Need to Be Safe
Message of hope and support. Reinforces the idea that the troubles in a child’s life are not their fault.
A Mother for Choco
Main theme focusing on the idea that family is about love, no matter how different parents and children may be.
Porcupette Finds a Family
Story follows Porcupette’s character as he loses his mother and finds a new home. It addresses attachment, fears, acceptance, adoption, and love.
God Found Us You
Theme of adoption and viewing the immensity of God through a child’s eye.
When I Pray for You
Celebrates dreams, hopes, and longings parents pray over their children.
The Invisible String
The perfect tool for coping with separation, anxiety, loss, and grief.
Finding the Right Spot
One girl’s emotional perspective on the ups and downs of being in foster care.
Families Change
Words and full color illustrations that offer hope and support to children facing change. Includes resources for birth parents, foster parents, social workers, counselors, and teachers.
The Family Book
Addresses diversity and celebrates that families come in all different varieties. The message is about embracing and appreciating these differences.
Foster Care: One Dog’s Story of Change
Aims to help children navigate the fears and feelings associated with going into foster care.
Murphy’s Three Homes
Focuses on the experiences and feelings that can come with moving from home to home.
A Terrible Thing Happened
Intended for children who have witnessed violence or other traumatic events. Touches on the emotions and feelings that children can experience, and the importance of having adults in their life they can trust.
Love You From Right Here
Interactive keepsake book for children in foster care.
I Wished for You
A story about adoption.
The Shoebox Kid
Written by a child psychologist, this book focuses on communicating to all children, whether adopted or birthed, that they are special and loved just the same.
I’m NOT Just a Scribble
Interactive sticker book for children who are struggling with feelings of being left out or being different than everyone else. Addresses emotions, boundaries, and using a creative outlet to discuss hard topics.
A Little SPOT of Anxiety
Addresses how anxiety can affect all ages and how it can show up in different situations.
Healing Days
A workbook for children to understand their response to trauma and to learn strategies to heal from it.
Forever, or a Long, Long Time (ages 8-12)
A story about siblings who learn that love can never be divided, only multiplied. A story of adoption.
Restart (ages 8-12)
The story about a child who discovers that a messy past does not have to define your future. A journey of starting new, with a clean slate.
Locomotion (ages 10-12)
A story about a child in foster care who loses his parents and is split up from his sister. A journey of love, loss, and hope in the midst of tragedy.
One for the Murphys (ages 10-14)
A foster child’s experience of learning what it feels like to belong. Follows a related character and her decisions on whether or not to stay with a foster family or to return to her mother.
Fish in a Tree (ages 8-11)
Follows a character who struggles with the feeling of belonging. Navigates the feelings that children can experience with not fitting in, and the power of embracing your uniqueness.
Waiting to Forget (ages 11-15)
A novel that weaves past and present, and follows the main character as he navigates trauma and develops an understanding of how to move forward.
Far from the Tree ( ages 12+)
Follows the story of three very different teenagers and explores the meaning of family.
The Quiet You Carry and Quiet No More ( ages 12+)
A sequel that follows the story of a foster child as she navigates her senior year, learns to salvage her college dreams, and move forward—all while trying to keep her past hidden.
I hope you find this list to be helpful in starting or adding to your collection of books! Keep a look out for updates to this list in the future! And, if you have a recommendation you would love to add, please leave it in the comments for others to see.
♥ Mandi A.