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Lifetrack Resources Publishes a Children's Book!
Lifetrack Resources is proud to announce the publication of our first children's book. Kids Are Important: A book for young children in foster care. Written by Families Together Senior Teacher, Julie Nelson and illustrated by Occupational Therapist, Mary Gallagher, Kids are Important: a book for young children in foster care provides simple, concrete language to help adults talk with small children about a large issue.
Foster placement provides increased safety for children in out of home placement, but it also brings worry, loss, and fear. Children often blame themselves and believe they have been taken from their families because they are bad.
Kids are Important lets children know:
- Kids are important and need to be safe
- Sometimes parents need help taking care of their children
- Foster parents can help take care of children when parents need help
- Even when parents need help, they still love their children
This book will allow us to make a difference, not only in the lives of the young children in St. Paul attending our Families Together Preschool, but also for young children across the state of Minnesota. Thanks to a grant from Sheltering Arms Foundation, Lifetrack Resources gave away 1000 copies to organizations across the state! Books are available online at http://www.freespirit.com
Book Reviews
Kids Need to Be Safe was
inspired by Anna, and is dedicated to all
the little ones who blame themselves
for the troubles in their lives.
Anna's Story
Anna was overwhelmed by her mother's chemical dependency. She and her sister were homeless, often alone and hungry in a tiny motel room. Anna's infant sister was losing weight, her formula traded for drugs. With the support of a caring grandmother, social worker, and teacher, Anna and her sister went to live in foster care. One the way to school from her new foster home, Anna turned to her teacher, held back tears and said,
I wish I wasn't so bad.
Then I wouldn't have to be in foster care.
Surprised and concerned, her teacher explained,
Anna, you are in foster care because you need food
And a safe place to live. Your mommy can't give you
That right now. Your mommy needs help taking care
Of you, and help taking care of herself too.
Fro the next several days Anna's teacher asked Anna why she was in foster care. Each day Anna sadly said,
Because I'm bad.
Each day her teacher gently explained why Anna was in foster care. Once again her teacher asked,
Anna, why are you in foster care?
Anna's body straightened up and she beamed as she struggled to remember her teacher's words,
Because…because…because I'm good!
Kids Need to Be Safe
Review by Midwest Book Review
Kids Need To Be Safe by Julie Nelson is nicely illustrated with pictures by Mary Gallagher and offers children insightful, informative and quite helpful guidance through the hardships and difficulties of childhood when in the care of other different parents, guardians, and foster parents. Providing young readers ages 4 to 10 with an age appropriate understanding of what happens with parents who cannot maintain a health relationship together, or do not have place to live for their children, or for other reasons lose custody of the child, Kids Need To Be Safe favorably explains the basics of foster care. An important addition to school, community library, and family counseling center library collections, Kids Need To Be Safe is very highly recommended for all parents, foster parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and social workers offering children informed and informative guidance through the process of foster care.
Families Change
Review by Free Spirit Publishing
All families change over time. Sometimes a baby is born, or a grown-up gets married. And sometimes a child gets a new foster parent or a new adopted mom or dad. Children need to know that when this happens, it’s not their fault. They need to understand that they can remember and value their birth family and love their new family, too. Straightforward words and full-color illustrations offer hope and support for children facing or experiencing change. Includes resources and information for birth parents, foster parents, social workers, counselors, and teachers.