Book Recommendations for Foster Families
Books can change lives as they have the power to help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a reading list for kids in foster care and foster parents.
While these books are not specific to foster care, we have found them especially relevant to the foster care community.
Books for Kids in Foster Care
Let's Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect
Sensitively explains and engages with the topic of consent using easy-to-understand language.
Recommended for ages 3+.
This progressive book is a rhyming, boldly illustrated vision of a better world.
Recommended for ages 4-8.
The human body is fascinating right? This book has clear anatomical illustrations and explanations that the whole family will learn something from.
Recommended for ages 5+.
The Gender Identity Workbook for Kids: A Guide to Exploring Who You Are
Well-written and paced, with engaging activities. Useful for youth who are in the process of understanding the gender identity of themselves and those close to them.
Recommended for ages 7+.
A post-apocalyptic novel for older readers and one particularly relevant for the time we are all currently living in. Butler’s writing and worldbuilding are transcendent. This work is also available as a graphic novel!
Recommended for ages 14+.
Books for Foster Parents
A classic and important book on understanding how trauma manifests in others and in ourselves.
Dear Science and Other Stories
An engaging academic work on Black and anti-colonial methodologies. An important read, whether you’re engaged in academic work or not.
Few writers so succinctly explain what seems unexplainable. Solnit’s writing on the concept of “being lost” is both comforting and inspirational.
The Whole-Brain Child & The Yes Brain
Recommend by longtime foster parent and foster parent trainer, Kaleo George, in a recent Just As Special podcast episode, these books are written by the same New York Times bestselling author and offer revolutionary approaches to child rearing that pair well with trauma-informed parenting.
Looking for book suggestions specific to foster care?
Here are several lists aggregated by others:
We’d love to hear from you!
Which books have helped you understand your foster care journey? Please share them in the comments below or email them to hello@justasspecial.com.
More Foster Care Resources
Colorado foster parents: check out our statewide database of foster care resources, created in partnership with Cobbled Streets.