It’s no secret that I’m passionate about the representation of different types of families in children’s books. Indeed, a conversation with my son about the lack of positive representation of children with same-sex parents in upbeat books was my starting point for my debut series, The Accidental Diary of B.U.G., which has been praised for its accessible, age-appropriate inclusion – shortlisted for the national Polari Prize and winner of the Sparks Children’s Book Award. (You can read about that conversation in this blog post.)
In my latest series, I’ve represented a foster family. Specifically, a blended foster family headed up by two mums.
The series starts with The Day My Dog Got Famous which tells the story of Ferris (the mums’ birth child) and his mission (with the help of his newly-placed foster sister) to make his dozy dog more like the cartoon canine he draws for fun. Why? So he can beat his boastful next door neighbour and her uber-talented poodle in an online pet-popularity contest.
Teacher feedback: “The Day My Dog Got Famous doesn’t just show the wonder of dogs but presents a sensitive window into the life of a foster family, as well as the emotions of a young boy who has to deal with children coming in and out of his home for varying lengths of time.”
Real-Life Inspiration
I was inspired to write this series by my sister who, in addition to having four of her own children, has fostered for over 20 years. And by my nephews and niece who, like my protagonist, Ferris, have generously opened their lives and their hearts to welcome foster children into their home for various periods of time.
Through funny capers with dogs, cartoons and comic strips, The Day My Dog Got Famous explores some of the emotions experienced by birth children who are part of blended families: frustration, connection, love and loss.
Teacher feedback: “…not just a fabulous story but one that is highly inclusive and one that balances humour with heartache to absolute perfection.”
Representing Children in Foster Care
A mother through adoption myself, and a previous panel member for both fostering and adoption agencies, through the series I’ve also dipped into some of the reasons children can find themselves foster care, how they feel, and the repercussions that can ensue – all at a level that children will understand.
In book one, The Day My Dog Got Famous, the family provides respite care for a child whose regular carer is in hospital.
In book two, The Day My School Exploded, the family are fostering a child who has been removed from his mother and separated from his brother, and is soon going to be living with a relative.
Book three will focus on a child who is looked after under a Special Guardianship arrangement and comes to the Fosters (yes, the main family are called Foster as well as being foster carers!) for a respite placement.
All three books include a long-term foster child with additional needs to represent the sad fact that such children often remain in the care system for longer than their peers. (I’m an experienced parent to a wonderful child with special needs. Showing that children with additional needs are much more than just their difficulties was also important to me when writing this series.)
The message that family is often bigger than biology is seeded through the series.
Parent feedback: “Where the book tips the line to excellent is the touches of diversity and the truths of human life…Ferris having a ‘hard to place’ foster sister, and two mums, and what that impact that has. It looks at the how and who can be in care, for respite or permanent – and what that looks like for existing children.”
Why represent foster families in children’s books?
It’s always about mirrors and windows for me.
- REPRESENTATION – the mirror
Representation is the key to successful reading for pleasure – a well-known indicator of a child’s future life-chances and well-being.
In the UK alone, there are almost 54,000 foster families and approximately 70,000 foster children living with them.
These children deserve to see themselves in a funny book. As do the many birth children living in blended families.
2. EMPATHY – the window
Providing a sneak view into the life of someone else gives children with little (or no) experience of foster care the opportunity to learn about other children’s lives. This helps them to build empathy as they broaden their understanding of the world.
The Day My Dog Got Famous is out now and available via Amazon, Bookshop.org, independent bookshops, chain bookstores and libraries.
The Day My School Exploded will be released on 6th February 2025 and is available to pre-order now.
The third title will follow in February 2026.
Jen Carney 