About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to introduce the concept of homelessness or housing insecurity with gentleness and grace, or when a child is noticing different living situations in their community. It is a vital tool for fostering empathy without pity, focusing on the strength of the mother-daughter bond. At school, Belle is celebrated for her talent in drawing realistic owls, but the secret to her skill is bittersweet: she and her mother live in a park where they watch the birds at night. The story handles the reality of sleeping outdoors with a poetic lens, emphasizing the mother's efforts to create a sense of safety and wonder despite their circumstances. Ideal for ages 4 to 8, it provides a safe space to discuss the fact that 'home' is defined by love and presence rather than a permanent address.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly but sensitively with homelessness. It is secular and realistic, showing the physical discomforts (the cold, the hard ground) alongside the emotional warmth of the family. The resolution is realistic rather than a 'magic wand' ending; they are still unhoused, but Belle finds a sense of belonging through her art.
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