Children are keenly aware of the impact of unstable housing on their lives. Whatever home may be for young children, they and their caregivers often can’t find the words to talk about the resulting hardships and changes they experience every day. As caregivers know, books are a valuable resource not only for children in developing language skills but also for learning about their world. This is especially true for preschoolers and for children as they enter school.
Children’s books can help.
- Invite discussion: “What makes a home?” “What helped the character feel safe?”
- Normalize experiences: “Many families move or stay with others. You’re not alone.”
- Build Protective Factors: Focus on strengths, coping, connection, hope, and access to simple resources they can control.
- Pair with activities: Play, build, or draw ‘my safe place,’ make kindness kits, identify trusted helpers.
Stories to consider: Printable lists of children’s books and are available. Families and teachers can review and share with young children in their care.
- Still a Family: A Story About Homelessness by Brenda Reeves Sturgis (grades: Preschool – 3)
- Saturday at the Food Pantry by Dianna O’Neill (grades: Preschool – 3)
- A Place to Stay- A shelter story by Erin Gunti (grades Kindergarten – 2)
- You Are Home by Bex Tobin Fine (grades Kindergarten – 3)
- Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting (grades: Preschool – 3)
- December by Eve Bunting (grades: Preschool – 3)
- Shoebox Sam by Mary Brigid Barrett (reading ages: 4 – 8 years)
- Toby Finds a Home by Marie Showers, Julie Showers et al. (reading ages 3 – 7 years)
- Zion Learns to See by Terence Lester, Zion Lester, and Subi Bosa (reading ages 4 – 8 years)
- My Friend Andy by Emma Chinnery (grades: Preschool – 3)
- Who Are Homeless People? by Daniel Keeran (grade levels: 3 – 6)
- Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (grade levels: 3 – 7)
Click here to print this list. Visit your local library to find these books and others about families without homes.
- Yard Sale by Eve Bunting (grade levels: Preschool – 2)
- A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning (grade levels Kindergarten – 2)
- Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate (grade levels Kindergarten and above)
- I See You by Michael Genhart (grade levels Kindergarten – 3)
- Home by Tonya Lippert (grade levels Kindergarten – 3)
- Goodbye, School by Tonya Lippert (grade levels Kindergarten – 3)
- The Can Man by Laura E. Williams (grade levels Kindergarten – 5)
- Voyage to Shelter Cove by Ralph Da Costa Nunez (ages/grades not provided)
- Snorkkel Whalengton “Kindness” by Arlene Wray (ages/grades not provided)
- I May Not Have a Home by Catherine Andrea Landriault (ages/grades not provided)
- Spaces by Omari Baye (available here)
- We Got This by Sesame Street Workshop (available digital format only)
Click here to print this list. Visit your local library to find these books and others about families without homes.
Additional resources are available at the Sesame Street Workshop website. Free books on a wide range of topics are available for Early Head Start and Head Start programs from Sesame Street in Communities. Up to three different titles can be ordered at a time, in quantities of 50, 75, and 100, often in both English and Spanish.
A special thank you to the HopePHL Children’s Work Group Conference for developing this thoughtful and meaningful collection of books.
Your input is welcome. To share feedback, experiences, or suggest other titles, please contact Tracy Duarte at tradua@pakeys.org.