Foster children dealing with change are being helped to adjust by a new children’s book called A Place For Me.
Its author, Brisbane writer Jo Crowley, said A Place For Me was written for children aged between two and 10 going into care or moving to live with a new carer for the first time.
“The carer and child can read, colour-in together and cut and paste while they learn about each other and life in their house,” Jo says.
“The idea for this book came about when a foster carer contacted me after seeing another title I had written.
“She saw a magazine advertisement for my other Colour My Story books that help explain change through simple words and colouring-in images.
“She thought it would be a good idea to do an interactive Colour My Story book for foster children to help them cope with change.”
A Place For Me was written by Jo in collaboration with eight foster carers and representatives from The Pyjama Foundation, Foster Care Queensland and CREATE Foundation.
The Department of Communities provided $35 000 in funding to help the Pyjama Foundation distribute the book to foster carers.
“So far, more than 1000 books have been distributed and the funding will allow for another 5000 copies to be produced,” Jo says.
“I’ve received wonderful feedback from carers who have told me how effective the book is.
“One carer told me how the book had an enormous visual impact in letting the foster child know how much she was loved.”
For more information on A Place for Me contact the Pyjama Foundation on 3262 5569 or visit www.thepyjamafoundation.com
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