| Paul Sambrooks
The Dennis Duckling series of picture books provides a range of opportunities to talk to looked after children about what is happening in their lives. In the first two books, Dennis and his little sister have to leave their parents and be looked after by a foster duck family. In this third book, the outcome for the ducklings is for them to go home to their parents.
| Catherine Jackson
This short booklet for children is part of a series designed to teach children about a range of health conditions common to many looked after children. This story about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome will be helpful for any child aged seven to 11 whose development and behaviour has been affected by parental substance misuse, or who knows someone else who is affected.
| Jill Seeney
Rufus the cat loved curling up in his favourite place and dreaming of pilchards. But it hadn’t always been like this… When Rufus was a kitten, he lived with a different family who weren’t always kind. Would he ever find a safe place where he could be cosy and calm and dream his dreams?
| Angela Lidster
In this colourful children's book, Chester and Daisy live happily with Mummy and Daddy. But then things start going wrong, and Chester and Daisy can’t live at home any longer. A social worker takes them to stay with a foster family. Now the social worker has something important to tell Chester and Daisy – they are going to be adopted. But there’s a lot to think about, and to explain, and to do, before the two bears can move on.
| Paul Sambrooks
In this second book in the Dennis series, Dennis and his sister are being looked after by a duck foster family after they had to leave their mum and dad. But they miss their parents and want to know if they would ever go home, and who would look after them as they were growing up. What was going to be best for Dennis and his little sister? Where would they live, and who would look after them? There were big decisions to be made…
| Ed Merchant
This charming and affirming picture book for young children encourages an understanding and appreciation of same-sex parents, as well as showing that families come in all shapes and sizes.
| Becky Edwards
This story touches on profound themes of loss, separation and belonging. It gives children reassurance that they are special to their adoptive parents, and that it's alright to have mixed feelings about their adoption.
| Rebecca Daniel
This lift-the-flap picture book introduces young children to the idea of different families and the meaning of belonging. It can also be used to address concepts of fostering, adoption and moving to a new home.
| David Pitcher
Change can cause confusion and uncertainty for children, but particularly for fostered and adopted children. This charming children's story uses Poppy and her lost panda to explore change, continuity, and anxieties about moves, changes and attachment in a way that feels safe and nonthreatening.
| Paul Sambrooks
Dennis and his sister need someone to look after them, someone to help wash their feathers and feed them. A grown-up duck called Annie comes to talk with them. ‘I’m scared!’ says Dennis. ‘Who will look after us?’ This colourful picture book explains what may be happening to young children and helps them to express some of the emotions they may be feeling about upsetting and confusing events.
