May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness of the children in foster in the United States. In Iowa alone, there are 3,000+ kids in out-of-home placements in 2026. The child welfare system can feel destabilizing for these kids, but foster families are willing to step up to offer a safe support during difficult times.

The Learning & Literacy Collection offers books to read with kids about their experiences in the foster care system. Descriptions of the books are provided by the publishers.

My Life with a Foster Family by Mari C. Schuh. Shaylee likes gymnastics, art, and reading. She was also a foster child. Shaylee is real and so are her experiences. Learn about life with a foster family and subsequent adoption in this illustrated narrative nonfiction picture book for elementary students.

Fostercoaster: Up and Down and Around We Go! by Candice Brunk. Foster care involves many emotions. It can be confusing. There can be endless questions with complicated answers. It is okay to feel sad, excited, happy, angry, or confused. You will have many people alongside you during this ride.

Planted with Love: Growing into a Family by Natasha Tripplett. Lamar, a young foster boy, is fascinated by his new foster mom’s garden, but after anger and uncertainty lead him to destroy it, Lamar thinks she will want him to leave and is surprised by her love and empathy.

No Matter Where I Go by Jessica Mathisen. God’s love might look different at different times, but He is always there. When Elena is placed in foster care, she wonders if she will ever see her family again. When they notice Elena’s fear: several grown-ups in her life repeat these words over her: “No matter where you go, no matter where you are, God loves you big and cares for you. Just trust this in your heart.”

Check out the Learning & Literacy Collection libguide for links to resources about adoption and foster care, under the Parenting Help tab.