This simple, touching picture book shows readers a women’s shelter through the eyes of a young girl, who, with her mother’s help, uses her imagination to overcome her anxiety and adjust. Includes factual endnotes detailing various reasons people experience homelessness and the resources available to help.
More Details
Product Dimensions:8.5 x 10.75 inches
Page Count:32 pages
Age Range:Ages 5-9 years
Awards & Accolades
“A comforting, accessible introduction to a not often discussed subject” – Kirkus Reviews
“A must read... may our incredible and powerful gift to imagine take us through hard times” – Cristina Arias, Stop the Violence
“An expertly written, child-centred text which can be used to explore the many different traumas that force families into homelessness and to seek places of sanctuary” – Amnesty International UK
About the Contributors
Written by - Erin Gunti
Erin Gunti grew up in the small town of Lula, Georgia, USA. After working as a child abuse and neglect investigator, she became an award-winning poet and children's, young adult and middle grade literature. She lives in Georgia with her husband and two sons.
Illustrated by - Estelí Meza
Estelí Meza holds a Master’s Degree in Visual Arts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and has exhibited her work internationally. She has published books in Mexico, the United States, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. Currently she works for different publishers and magazines.
Her technique combines collage, pencil colors, acrylics and gouache with digital. She loves to create textures.
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews
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Homeless are people like you and me
Rating
100%
This story, narrated by a young girl, chronicles her fears about being in a shelter for the first time. Her mother’s creativity eases her anxieties. The shelter becomes a palace. The library is a treasure cave. Her new bed transforms into a rocket ship. With patience, understanding, and vivid imagination, this mother reassures her daughter at an incredibly challenging time. Instead of being realistic, the illustrations are cartoon-like, softening the tone of the message. This book offers a kid-friendly introduction to a complicated subject, helping children to understand that the homeless are often people just like them. The endnotes provide various reasons why people become homeless and what resources shelters provide.
ByEve The Barefoot Librarian,
Posted on
"I wish every grown up would read this"
Rating
100%
I assumed this book would open conversations about shelters (and our likely stereotypical thoughts about shelters and those who may utilize them.) My 9 year old son disappeared with this book shortly after it arrived. He returned and gave this unsolicited review... "I wish every grown up would read this book. It shows adults can make hard things easier for their kids if they just try and use their imagination." Wow. I couldn't agree more. A great story about what life is like in a shelter without speaking down to children. Highly recommend for the classroom library and beyond.
