Recommended Reading Material
Recommended Reading Material
The following four titles have been recommended and are available from CoramBAAF and other booksellers.
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A Foster Carers' Guide to Education Barry Dixon, published by National Teaching & Advisory Service ISBN: 978 0 954762 76 6 |
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Supporting Children's Learning Clare Pallett, John Simmonds & Andrea Warman, BAAF ISBN: 978 1 905664 15 3 |
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Learn the Child - Helping looked after children to learn Kate Cairns & Chris Stanway, BAAF ISBN: 978 1 907585 739 |
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Ten top tips for supporting education Eileen Fursland, Kate Cairns & Chris Stanway, BAAF ISBN: 978 1 907585 715 |
Books to support Mental Health Awareness for all ages (recommended by Book Trust)
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The Pond Nicola Davies 5-9 yrs (Picture book) A young boy and his father are planning a pond in their back garden – but they only get as far as digging a muddy hole when Dad passes away. A raw, emotional but ultimately hopeful take on grief, loss, nature and love. |
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Michael Rosen's Sad Book Michael Rosen 4-9 yrs (Picture book) The subject of bereavement is treated in an unusual way in Michael Rosen’s Sad Book, which deals with the death of the author’s own son
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Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot Horatio Clare 5-14 yrs (Funny) This fabulously illustrated book addresses the difficult subject of parental depression, at once describing the horror of Aubrey’s dad’s experience but also remaining upbeat and full of surreal humour. |
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The Tiger Who Sleeps Under My Chair Hannah Foley 9-13 yrs (Behavioural/emotional/social) In 1884, Emma Linden dreams of being a fossil hunter like her hero Mary Anning – but her world comes crashing down when her brother James becomes mysteriously ill. Meanwhile, in 2023, football-mad Jude finds a friend in Rosie Linden, who is plagued by visions of tigers and the need to protect the ones she loves. |
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The Goldfish Boy Lisa Thompson 9-14yrs (OCD) Matthew has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Can he help an investigation into the abduction of a child, perhaps without even leaving his house? A captivating read, combining a compelling whodunit with an engaging protagonist. |
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When I See Blue Lily Bailey 9-14 yrs (OCD/Disability) This is a touching and honest book about life in the grip of OCD but also the power of friendship. It’s also a reminder that good friendships are two-way as it turns out April needs Ben just as much as he needs her. |
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The Red Tree Shaun Tan 9-14yrs (Classic/Picture/Graphic novel) The perfect blend of words and pictures, this is a wonderful book to share with anyone suffering from depression or uncertainty. |
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War of the Wind Victoria Williamson 9-14yrs (Adventure/Deafness/Disability) Max is sure that the new wind turbines on his island are sinister, but will anyone listen to a frustrated deaf schoolboy? Gripping, eerie and thought-provoking, this has a brilliant cast of characters. |
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Frankie's World Aoife Dooley 9-14yrs (Graphic novel/Autism) This lovely, often funny, relatable and sensitive story about Frankie, a girl with autism, was inspired by the author Aoife Dooley’s own real life experiences. A great story about growing up and learning who you are. |
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Me and My Brian Helen Rutter 9-14yrs When Josh’s brain, whom he has named Brian, becomes too loud and overbearing, he goes to stay with Grandma in her tiny shack in the middle of nowhere. A touching tale which sensitively explores complex family dynamics and mental health issues. |
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Jayben and the Golden Torch Thomas Leeds 9-14yrs (Adventure/Coming of Age/Fantasy) A curious, immersive fantasy with complex world-building, engaging characters and quirky creatures. Ideal for readers who enjoy an exciting adventure with added depth and intensity |
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How to be More Hedgehog Ann-Marie Conway 9-14yrs (Chapter book/Disability/Dyslexia/Learning Disability) Lily has a stammer and when a video of her practising a school presentation is posted online, she feels humiliated. She wants to hide away but knows that she must face her fears if she is to find her own voice. This heart-warming novel incorporates themes of friendship, bullying and the environment. |
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Tiny Infinities JH Diehl 9-14yrs (Deafness/Disability) Thirteen-year-old Alice is trying to stop her family falling apart. A very beautiful and sensitively handled book that touches on themes of mental health, family relationships, friendships and love. |
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A Pocketful of Stars Aisha Bushby 9-14yrs (Around the world) Safiya must uncover the truth of her mother’s history to help her survive the present. A beautifully written and page-turning read, set in London and Kuwait, that deals with changing friendships, family dynamics and learning how to say goodbye. |
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My Life on Fire Cath Howe 9-14yrs (Chapter books) Since her house burned down, Ren has nothing. Surely everyone else deserves to lose stuff too? Friendship and ‘doing the right thing’ are the focus of this excellent novel. |
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The Mystery of the Colour Thief Ewa Jozefkowicz 9-14yrs (Mobility/Wheelchair/Disability) The book paints a convincing picture of a harrowing time in a young life, and the time, talking and friendship that helps her to process trauma. But this is by no means a gloomy read, offering ample humour, hope and optimism. |
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The Illustrated Mum Jacqueline Wilson 10-14 yrs (classics/Coming of Age) This is a moving yet unsentimental account of two children coming to terms with their mother’s depression, mental instability and alcohol problem. |
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Finding a Voice Kim Hood 11-14yrs (Adventure/Coming of age/Disability) This is an engaging story about the two-way nature of friendship and the risks of making assumptions. The overriding message is uplifting, whilst also leaving the reader with a powerful reminder that good intentions aren’t always enough. |
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Optimists Die First Susin Nielsen 11-14 yrs (coming of age/OCD) Petula’s life is ruled by anxiety, fear and pessimism after her little sister died two years before. Then she meets Jacob, and an unconventional love story unfolds. Another five star read from Susin Nielsen: one of the most talented teen writers working today. |
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The Sad Ghost Club Lize Meddings 11-14yrs (Ghost/Graphic) A sad ghost wants to go to a party, but his social anxiety keeps holding him back. When he meets another anxious ghost, he realises he’s not alone. A charming graphic novel for older readers about depression, friendship, and finding a kindred spirit. |
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The Awesome Power of Sleep Nicola Morgan 11-14 yrs (Non-Fiction) This informative non-fiction book looks at the science of sleep and explores the crucial role it plays in the physical and mental health of teenagers |
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Paper Avalanche Lisa Williamson 11-14yrs Fourteen-year-old Ro Snow’s got a secret: her house is filled to the doors with her mother’s hoarded rubbish. A brilliant, thoughtful read that explores Bonnie’s mental health issues and their effect on Ro with compassion. |
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Be Resilient Be You Becky Goddard Hill 11-14yrs (Non-fiction) A helpful and practical guide to coping with tough times, by building resilience. Includes 40 topics and many suggested activities. |
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The Ghosts of Heaven Marcus Sedgwick 11-14yrs (Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Short Stories) The Ghosts of Heaven is an excellent book that will open up new avenues of thought and future reading and introduces teenage readers to a more inventive understanding of storytelling. |
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Am I Normal Yet? Holly Bourne 11-14yrs (Coming of Age) This is a powerful and engrossing read that successfully informs, shocks, reassures and entertains in equal measures. |
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Under Rose-Tainted Skies Louise Gornall 11-14yrs (coming of Age)/Love & Romance/OCD) Seventeen-year-old Norah is essentially trapped in her own home, caught in the vice-like grip of Agoraphobia and OCD. Then one day a new young neighbour on the street arouses her curiosity. Honest, brave and utterly compelling. |
Books for discussing emotions and families (recommended by BookTrust)
| Books which support the discussion of emotions with older children- click the image below | Books which support the discussion of emotions - click the image below | Books which support the discussion of families with young children - click the image below |
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Recommended reads to support discussions about adoption and being in care
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Free loaves on Friday - the care system as told by the people who get it Rebekah Pierre ISBN 978-1800183001
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Free Loaves on Fridays is an anthology of stories, poems, reflections and letters by nearly 100 care-experienced people, which aims to challenge the sliced-loaf mindset. This collection gives voice to diverse experiences including foster care, adoption, kinship care and semi-independent living, among others. Headlines written about care often entrench negative stereotypes and dominate the narrative, leaving care-experienced people with nothing but crumbs. This anthology is an opportunity to redirect the dialogue and present a window into a world that has been overlooked for too long. Free Loaves on Fridays presents a spectrum of joy and sadness, laughter and tears, love and loss, and reminds us that bread tastes so much better when it’s been chosen. |
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What type of family are we? A book of modern families told through the eyes of a child Lizzy Seaton ISBN 978-1730795497 |
Have you ever wondered if there are other families like yours? Come take a journey with Ella and Oliver to discover the many shapes and sizes families come in today! This book celebrates families with a Mum and Dad, single Mums, two Dads, adoption, single Dads, two Mums, grandparents, and co-parents. |
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Patina 2 (Run) Jason Reynolds ISBN 978-1999642556 |
It's not the taking part, it's the winning that counts for Patina! Patty, as she's known to her friends and family, has lost a lot in her life - her dad died when she was young, her mum has lost her legs and now she has to live with her uncle and his wife. On top of that Patty has to go to the poshest school that ever existed. Now her running team has become a relay team and independent "I can do everything by myself" Patty has to work with her team mates to win. |
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The Blanket Bears Samuel Langley-Swain ISBN 978-1999762858 |
A sensitive picture book endorsed by experts, that helps young children understand adoption by gently covering the complete adoption journey, from foster care to finding a forever family. Non-gendered characters and inclusive illustrations celebrate adoptive families of all kinds including single parents, same-sex parents and special guardians. |
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The Ape Star Frida Nilsson ISBN 978-1776574216 |
Jonna lives in an orphanage whose manager is strict and obsessed with cleanliness. Like all the other children, Jonna has only one dream: to be adopted by a well-dressed mother who smells of perfume. But one day, a beat-up old car pulls up. The door opens and out step two thick hairy legs with muddy boots, followed by a belly as round as a barrel, and finally, a head like an overgrown pear. It's a gorilla! Surely the orphanage won't let a gorilla adopt a child. But, to Jonna's horror, the gorilla chooses her... Jonna sleeps in a hammock, and in the evenings the gorilla reads Dickens in her worn armchair. It turns out Jonna and the gorilla have a lot in common. But just when they’ve started to get along, a man from the council threatens to send Jonna back to the orphanage. The Ape Star is a heartwarming and unconventional chapter book about love, adoption, friendship, and seeing from different perspectives. |
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Love makes a family Sophie Beer ISBN 978-1838910679 |
This brilliant board book celebrates the uniqueness of every family, and all the amazing things parents and caregivers do for their little ones. Vibrant artwork is paired with simple, motivational text to show children all the little ways love helps them every day. Featuring chunky pages and a diverse array of charming characters, this book perfectly captures the joy of family in all its forms |
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The most precious present in the world Becky Edwards ISBN 978-1905664733 |
This simply written, engaging story focuses on the universal idea of looking like (or not looking like) your family. This is used to give adopted children the reassuring messages that not only are they very special to their adoptive parents, but that it is alright for them to have mixed feelings about their adoption.
Mia's eyes are dark brown and her dad's are bright blue. She has masses of curly brown hair, but her mum's is straight and blonde. Why doesn't Mia look like her parents? It's because she is adopted. Her adoptive mum tells her that she looks different because her curly hair and dark eyes are presents from the birth parents who were unable to look after her. Taking the form of a dialogue between a little girl and her adoptive mother, the book explores questions that might preoccupy an adopted child. Mia wants to know why she looks different to her adoptive parents; why her birth parents didn't want to keep her and whether her curly hair, dark eyes and dimple really are goodbye presents from her birth parents. Although young children might sometimes worry about looking physically different to their family members, this charming, illustrated book will help adopted children to understand that physical difference is not a barrier to finding love and security within an adoptive family. |
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I don't have your eyes Carrie A Kitze ISBN 978-0972624428 |
I Don't Have Your Eyes... but I have your way of looking at things. This begins beautifully illustrated and uplifting book that help to create the intimate parent/caregiver and child bond that is so important within a family. While others may notice the physical differences, there are so many ways we can celebrate the commonality that makes us truly family. We don't look the same on the outside, but in our hearts, we are the same. |
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And Tango makes three Justin Richardson ISBN 978-1847381484 |
Roy and Silo are just like the other penguin couples at the zoo - they bow to each other, walk together and swim together. But Roy and Silo are a little bit different - they're both boys. Then, one day, when Mr Gramzay the zookeeper finds them trying to hatch a stone, he realises that it may be time for Roy and Silo to become parents for real. |
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Who's your real mum? Bernadette Green ISBN 9781913348137 |
'Elvi, which one is your mum?’ When Nicholas wants to know which of Elvi’s two mums is her real mum, she gives him lots of clues. Her real mum is a circus performer, and a pirate, and she even teaches spiders the art of web. But Nicholas still can’t work it out! Luckily, Elvi knows just how to explain it to her friend. |
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Who's in my family? All about our families Robie H Harris ISBN 978-1406345407 |
Join Nellie and Gus and their parents for a day at the zoo, where they see all kinds of children and families – both animal and human! To top off their day, Nellie and Gus invite friends and relatives for a big dinner at home. The warm, humorous, family-filled illustrations; friendly conversations between the two siblings and matter-of-fact text will help young children feel that whoever is in their family, it is perfectly normal and totally wonderful. |
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The day we met you Phoebe Koelher ISBN 978-0027509014 |
A warm, joyful narrative follows two parents as they prepare bottles, formula, diapers, clothing, and a cradle in anticipation of the arrival of their adopted child |
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Little Stork's new home- an adoption story Caroline Robertson ISBN 978-0993115349 |
Little Stork’s New Home is a beautifully illustrated book that sensitively explains the full process of modern day adoption. A young stork is unable to care for her hatchling and the hatchling is eventually moved from her nest, to a foster family and finally to an adopted family. This story is an allegory to the entire adoption process and provides a good starting point to help children understand their adoption journey. |
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The Teazles' baby bunny Susan Bagnall ISBN 978-1905664498 |
This children's book for adopters tells the story of the Teazle rabbits and their adoption of a baby bunny. The simple tale and clear, colourful pictures provide a gentle introduction to broaching the subject of adoption and will help any adopted child to recognise how special they are and how much they are wanted. |
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Tell me again about the night I was born Jamie Lee Curtis ISBN 978-0064435819 |
In asking her parents to tell her again about the night of her birth, a young girl relives a cherished tale she knows by heart. Focusing on the significance of family and love, this a unique and beautiful story about adoption and the importance of a loving family. A beautiful adoption story, Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born also speaks to the universal childhood desire to know more about the excitement, awe, love, and sleeplessness that a new baby brings to a family. |
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