Books to read to a child about foster care
A favorite book often becomes a favorite when children relate to characters who have the same experience as them. Although there are some beloved classic books like “Anne of Green Gables” or “The Great Gilly Hopkins” that have main characters who are in foster care, there are not many modern books for younger readers (ages 6-9). Here are the 7 books that feature a character in foster care that will allow the child in your life to feel seen.
Murphy’s Three Homes by Jan Levinson Gilman & Illustrated by Kathy O’Malley
Best for 5-7 year olds
4/5 stars
Murphy is a young and energetic Tibetan terrier who is separated from his mom and siblings. Murphy moves from home to home and his hope starts to diminish as he wonders why he can’t find a forever family. Soon Murphy gets into trouble as he starts to think he’s a bad dog anyway and won’t be there for long, but he’s eventually proven wrong.
Favorite line: “Even though I was naughty she left her party to look for me and she’s really happy to find me”
Maybe Days by Jennifer Wilgocki and Marcia Kahn Wright & Illustrated by Alissa Imre Geis
Best for 6 & 7 year olds
3/5 stars—
Maybe Days speaks directly to a kid and explains the reasons why they may not live with their parents, the foster care system, and all the adults in their lives who help them. Maybe Days is a reassuring book that goes through the emotions that kids may feel and acknowledges that all these conflicting feelings are okay. Most importantly, it reiterates a message that we should all be sharing with foster kids: that it’s hard having all these uncertainties, but they are still free to be a kid.
Something to note: Reads more like it is talking to a child, rather than a story.
Favorite line: “Sometimes kids want to hear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ instead of ‘maybe’. But kids do the best they can in the middle of all the maybes.
Just like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan & Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Best for ages 4-6 years old
4/5 stars
Just like a Mama opens up with a simple explanation that Carol Olivia Clementine doesn’t live with her parents now, but that her caretaker, Mama Rose is her family. She takes care of her, teaches her, and plays with her. Although she misses her parents, Mama Rose is just like a parent should be: loving, but stern. This is a great book for kids to acknowledge the complex feelings of missing their parents, but also loving their foster parent(s) just as much, without getting too into the whys.
Favorite line: “Mama Rose is a hug and a kiss. Mama Rose is my home.”
A family is a family is a family by Sarah O’Leary & Illustrated by QinLeng
Best for ages 6-7
3/5 stars
Although this book is not specific to children in foster care--featuring kids of many family constellations--it does highlight kids who have multiple adults in their life who love and care for them, whether it’s grandparents, foster parents, step-parents. This book really shows that a family is a family no matter what it looks like and that there is never always more room to add to the table.
Something to note: No storyline so it feels like it can be confusing for younger children
Favorite line: “Because I live with my grandmother, people sometimes think she’s my mother. She’s not. She’s my everything.”
Elliot by Julie Pearson & Illustrated by Manon Gauthier
Best for ages 4-6
4/5 stars
The book implies that Eliot is being raised by younger parents who do not know how to care for him. They don’t understand his cries, his frustrations, and fears, so one day a social worker comes and brings him to a new family. Eliot still gets to see his parents and he soon reunifies with his parents before the pattern continues. We see Eliot feel conflicted around his bio parents and wanting stability. Soon Eliot gets adopted, he continues to see his bio parents, but he finally gets permanency as that can often be a path that children need if reunification is not possible.
Favorite lines: “Even though Elliot was happy with his new family, he still wanted to go home with his mother and father. And it worried him so much that he wanted to misbehave.”
Home for awhile by Lauren H Kerstein & Illustrated by Natalia Moore
Best for ages 7 & 8
5/5 stars
Calvin is off to another foster home. Although he is closed off, he finds that even when his emotions are bigger than he can manage, his new foster mom, Maggie can handle it, and even points out his strengths, like no other family has done. Soon Calvin realizes that although his foster mom isn’t his mom and this may not be permanent--he can trust her and love her just the same.
Favorite lines: “He traced her hand-drawn heart, and remembered Maggie’s words: ‘You’re quite huggable.’ His body felt lighter. Weightless.”
No Matter What by Josh Shipp & Illustrated by Yuliya Pankratova
Best for ages 5-7
4/5 stars
Josh is a squirrel who moves in with different animal families. Some are not right for him, and some even taunt him. So Josh decides that he’s going to push each new family away. Until he meets Rodney and Christine, patient elephant parents who prove that they are in it for the long haul, no matter how much Josh pushes them away.
Favorite lines: “Every night, when they tucked Josh in, they would say, ‘Goodnight, Josh. We’re glad you’re here with us today. And we’re glad you’ll be here with us tomorrow.”