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Room in the Nest
Room in the Nest by Holly Marlow is a beautifully written story about foster care for preschoolers and young elementary-age children. First, Mr. and Mrs. Swan build a giant, comfortable nest with enough room for themselves and anyone needing a safe place to stay. Then, one day, Caring Goose comes by and asks them if they have room to take in Baby Pigeon for a few days while her mom makes her house safe. They, of course, agree to help out. This is the start of the Swan’s ongoing mission to help other little birds that, for one reason or another, need a safe and loving place to stay, no matter if it was a few days or a few years.
Holly Marlow has written a children’s book that explains in child-friendly terms what foster care is and some of the many reasons why children may end up in foster care. This magnificent story shows sensitivity to the topic and complicated feelings surrounding foster care. She explains how the Caring Goose always tries to help the parents out first and give them guidance and that she is not trying to rip families apart but instead shows compassion and works to try and keep families together. Still, sometimes that is not always best for the children.
Room in the Nest is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children about foster care, foster placements, long-term fostering, kinship care, reunification, adoption, and a broad look at family court. This is a beautiful story to share with children that have to go through this process to help ease their fears and for other children to understand what happens if someone they know goes into foster care. This honest and beautiful look at the system is a much-needed resource for families, teachers, social workers, and anyone working with troubled families.
Pages: 25 | ASIN : B0BBBRWLMS
Fostering: A Memoir of Courage and Hope
Fostering is an emotionally-charged memoir written by Carmen Maria Navarro. Readers follow Carmen Maria and her family as she recounts her struggles, obstacles, and newfound love as a foster parent. We get a candid and unfiltered look into how the foster system works and what children in the system experience. There are a variety of sensitive topics discussed in this memoir, but they are all handled with respect.
The author elegantly conveys her experiences as a foster parent. I felt like this memoir really shows the breadth and depth of motherhood and the variety of shades that it comes in. Carmen Maria goes through many of them and shares all of those emotional experiences with readers in a way that feels raw but authentic. I have never been where the author is, but I was able to feel her emotional weight and understand her fear, anxiety, and hopes because of her sharp writing and the balance between feelings and facts throughout the book.
I was captivated by the author’s experiences. Not only by what she went through, but also by the experiences of her biological children, and her foster children as well. This is an illuminating memoir that shows how passion, empathy and love can be a driving force for good in dark times. This impassioned memoir provides an in depth look into Carmen Maria’s thoughts as well as her children’s thoughts, but I would have enjoyed hearing a bit more about her husband because I learned later in the author’s acknowledgement that her husband did so much for the family, like taking the children to doctor’s appointments, to school, making lunches and dinner.
I was shocked at some of the experiences the children revealed to Carmen Maria. It can be triggering to some readers, but I felt it was always handled with honesty and care so that we get to understand the impact these thing have on people and I admire the author for not shying away from the truth. It’s harsh but true and the author does a fantastic job of presenting those two facts in a way that readers can comprehend even if they’ve never experienced it themselves.
Fostering is a potent and awe-inspiring memoir that reveals the truth of what foster kids, and foster families, experience. I highly recommend this stirring memoir to those who are interested in childcare, child psychology and the foster care system as it differs from adoption.
Pages: 266 | ASIN: B0B4KFSNKD
LITERARY TITAN 