Books for children and young people being raised by family and friends carers

Hedi Argent (2007) Kinship Care: What it is and what it means – A guide for children (BAAF)  

Review by David Roth: This short book, for children who are about primary school age, tells the story of a girl called Jade who is living with her grandmother, called Nana Gwen. The book provides plenty of opportunities for the child who is reading it, or having it read to them, to ask questions about kinship care and tell their own story, in words and drawings. Although it is only 22 pages long, the book is packed with topics that will be relevant to children in this situation, such as the reasons children live in kinship care, and explaining to other people. It is very child-friendly in its language, its presentation and its invitation to children to relate their story to Jade’s. I would expect family and friends carers to find this a useful tool for talking to a younger child about what it means to be living in family and friends care.

Mary Lane and Shaila Shah (2007) Special Guardianship: What is and what it means - A guide for children and young people (BAAF)

Review by David Roth: I would describe this short book as particularly suitable for children who are of secondary school age. The book explains the difference, from a child’s perspective, between special guardianship, foster care and adoption, and it outlines the court process of a special guardianship application. The book describes how children can come to have a special guardian, and tells the story of some children who are living with special guardians. Although younger children might struggle with some of the material in the book, it presents its information in plain and accessible language, and provides answers to many of the questions that children who are being raised by a special guardian might have.

Message to a Grandchild by Peter Vance

Synopsis: An inspring collection of advice and the perfect gift for a grandchild - or grandmother. When Peter Vance's grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease he was devastated. Although he was only 14 years old he wanted to do something to help victims of this terrible illness. He decided to compile a book and, with the backing of the Alzheimer's Society, he wrote off to famous people around the world asking them what would be one message they would pass on to their grandchild. A suprising number of people replied, from film stars and sporting heroes to writers and political leaders. The resulting collection is by turns wise, funny, moving and insightful.

A Long way from Chicago (Dial 1998) by Richard Peck

What a fun read! Peck presents 8 short tales which span several summers in rural Illinois during the Depression, when two kids make annual visits to their eccentric Grandmother. Narrated by the boy (two years older than his sister), these outrageous yarns create a wonderful atmosphere of wacky individualism and family bonding.

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck

The follow on from A Long way from Chicago. It would be hard to find a literary granny as feisty, resourceful and fearless of authority as Grandma. Things are never dull when she stirs her stumps to create a mild uproar in that pompous little town. Her nefarious schemes range from a one-woman crime wave to appointing herself Champion of the helpless and downtrodden. Don't get on the wrong side of Mrs. Dowdel--if you value your reputation or your hide! Grandma remains undaunted and unflappable through bizarre but comical events. Peck's tongue-in cheek humor will bring many a chuckle as you are drawn into her slightly-shady activities. This book will delight kids of all ages--a winner, perfect for summer reading.

Clare Street by Nora Dugon

Review: In this gripping sequel to the highly successful 'Mrs Kneebone and Me', Kelly Ryan and her friends, the assorted residents of Clare Street, come to terms with further changes in their lives. Kelly's seventeenth year brings her first experience of love, with the debonair Nicholas Watson, and her first taste of a settled existence, after a life spent dragged around communes and festivales by her hippie mother. And the delightfully eccentric Mrs Kneebone has taken off in a battered old car to discover herself... This delightful old lady, a single mother, a runaway teenager and a lost doll play their part in this warm-hearted and entertaining story.

Thursday's Child by Jeanne Whitmee

Review: Young dual heritage girl (Fleur - Jamaican/White English) is raised by grandparents (mixed race couple) in Hackney after her father died of drug overdose and mother abandons her. After a happy childhood her grandparents die while she is in her mid teens and following a racist attack she sets off to find her mother who lives in rural middle-class England.  Her mother is now apparently happily married to a successful businessman who does not know about Fleur's existence. After a series of complications, mother and daughter are reunited and form a new family unit with the mother's second daughter from her marriage, the philandering, bullying husband is left to his own devices (and bankrupted into the bargain) and our heroine has become a successful businesswoman and is on the verge of marrying a young journalist. Meanwhile Fleur's mother has changed from a political doormat into a local politician actively involved in working with lone parents and domestic violence victims.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, Anita Jeram (Illustrator)

Review: Sometimes when you love someone very, very much, you want to tell them how great your feelings are. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure. This is a mini-sized gift edition of Sam McBratney's tale.

That's What Grandparents Are For by Arlene S. Uslander, Freddie Levin

Review: What a delightful book! The author and illustrator have combined their talents to create a truly enjoyable story. I read this book a few times and found it to be heartwarming and creatively written to capture the love that exists between grandparents and their grandchildren. The verses were both humorous nad touching; the illustrations were beautiful.
 

Other books carers may be interested in: Understanding your special needs grandchild by Clare Jones All the Time in the World: An Anthology of Verse and Prose Celebrating Grandparenthood by Elizabeth Cairns How to Be a Way Cool Grandfather by Verne Steen