How to choose books for children with experience of the care system

Published on: 11 October 2024

Reading together with a child promotes bonding and attachment  – and can be fun too! Every child is different, and you will know the child and their background best. However, these tips might be useful when looking for books to share together.

Elements that might be sensitive

Depending on a child’s experiences, some subjects might be difficult for them or might lead to them having challenging questions. If appropriate, books can be a way to help discuss those things in a safe environment. If the child isn’t ready for those discussions, you might prefer to choose books that don’t contain those elements.

• A character that is, or has been, in the care system
• A storyline that focuses on relationships between parent and child, or a child and their sibling
• A plot that is focused on resolving or overcoming issues within a family (e.g. a child trying to find their missing family; overcoming the death of a parent; the character becoming separated from their family)
• Books that are very focused on themes of blame/guilt, loss and/or loneliness
• Books that have a strong focus on rejection or getting into trouble
• Books that show food poverty

Elements to look out for

• Interactive books can be really fun to share together, and they develop fine motor skills. Look for books with tabs to pull, flaps to lift, things to touch and feel, or trails to trace with your fingers
• Books with everyday routines or activities, such as going to the park or getting ready in the morning
• Rhyming texts are great to read together and can support language development
• First skills, such as counting or the alphabet
• Satisfying stories that you’ll enjoy reading together

Other things to remember

• Ask the child to choose what they’d like to read. They’ll feel more interested in the story if they’ve picked it out themselves. (And don’t worry if they keep returning to the same story, either!)
• Don’t worry if the child gets distracted or wanders off. This is normal! Try again another time, or pick up a different book.
• Take a look at the pictures. You don’t just have to read the words on the page.  
• Try a variety of books – some children prefer facts to stories, for instance.
• Books with a character who is, or has been, in the care system may offer a valuable ‘mirror’ for children, but consider reading the story in full before sharing it with your child as sometimes the version of the experience presented may be challenging
• You might ask questions about the characters, such as ‘Are they happy or sad?'
• Make it interactive by asking them to point to pictures on the page, or count items.

·       Ask a bookseller or librarian for some recommendations or look at our booklists here: Themed booklists for children.

·       There’s no right or wrong way to share a book together. Have fun!