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LENORE C. TERR, MD, CHILD TRAUMA SPECIALIST / AUTHOR, MAGICAL MOMENTS OF CHANGE

During childhood, almost every child will know another child who lives in a place other than the home where he was born. Perhaps there was a divorce. Perhaps the family moved. Perhaps, even, there was violence, drug or alcohol abuse, child neglect or child abuse, that forced outside authorities to come and take the youngster away. Gabrielle Israelievitch gives us a storybook about this kind of “taken away” child, couched in the metaphorical terms of kittenhood. The book and its wonderful illustrations spark empathy from non-traumatized youngsters, teaching them kindness, understanding and care for peers. It sparks context and correction in traumatized or neglected kids, helping them come to grips with their own like stories. In all of us—the parent who reads to a child, the professional who works with a child, or the child himself, whatever the circumstances—it gives a huge dose of hope. I liked it a lot!

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DANIEL HUGHES, PhD, CHILD TRAUMA & ATTACHMENT SPECIALIST / AUTHOR, BUILDING THE BONDS OF ATTACHMENT

“Where’s Home?” is about a special kitten and his simple and complex, gentle and profound story. It is a story for children (and their parents) who have experienced sadness and loss, fear and confusion. It is also a story of hope—of movements toward a safe and joyful life that may be attained through the resourcefulness of the mind and the comfort of special others. I strongly recommend this book for foster and adopted children and those who care for them.

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RITA L. SORONEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION

Gabrielle Israelievitch has masterfully portrayed the complexities of family, government and interpersonal dynamics as she explores the often uncomfortable world of child abuse, foster care and adoption in "Where's Home?" Through the journey of Littleprints, a kitten born into a crowded and unstable family, she has created an epic, yet simple story that will resonate with children and adults on a similar path. I highly recommend this story to professionals, therapists, foster and adoptive parents, and of course, those children who, through no fault of their own, must navigate the frightening and lonely world of family violence and separation. In their hands, "Where's Home?" will provide a substantial measure of comfort.

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LIANA LOWENSTEIN, MSW, RSW, CPT-S

This book is a practical resource that will engage traumatized and neglected children. I particularly like how the author uses a kitten to tell the story, as this is less threatening for children. I highly recommend this book for child therapists who work with foster children.

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LINDA LUDKE, LONDON ONTARIO LIBRARIAN, CM MAGAZINE, APRIL 1 2011

Littleprints is a kitten born into the volatile Bobcat family. The large litter "snarled and bounced and clawed and bit at each other for what seemed like no reason at all." Ma and Pa Bobcat are violent and neglectful, and the kittens suffer. The mice who live nearby are aware of the abuse and write a letter to the Humane Society which prompts a visit from a social worker. Mr. Ted E. Bear assesses the situation and removes the kittens for their own safety.

The frightened kittens are sent to different foster homes, and each deals with the trauma in different ways. While Littleprints retreats inward and curls up inside a box, his sibling, Bucky, claws and lashes out with anger. Littleprints is moved through a succession of foster families until being matched with Mr. and Mrs. Cool Cat. The calm and loving home life enables Littleprints to flourish. He remembers his past and wonders about his parents and siblings, but he looks forward to his future.
Gabrielle Israelievitch's work as a child psychologist lends authenticity to text. The fears and uncertainties faced by children who experience violence and neglect are poignantly conveyed through the animal characters. Emotions are described in an easily identifiable manner: "Often Littleprints did not have a nice feeling inside. Sometimes he curled up into a ball and rocked back and forth."
Black and white spot illustrations appear throughout giving glimpses into the different settings, from the Bobcat's chaotic home with kittens scratching broken furniture, to the Cools sharing plates of sweetfish pie at the dinner table.
As with Hear My Roar: A Story of Family Violence (Annick Press, 2009), Where's Home? encourages discussion between young readers and supportive adults and is a good choice for bibliotherapy collections.

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ALICIA SONDHI, FOREWORD REVIEWS, JANUARY 2011

Littleprints is one of the many, many kittens of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cat. With so many kittens, the Bob Cats sometimes ignored the little ones and let them roam and play without making sure they were safe. Other times, the Bob Cats hissed and scratched at each other, leaving the kittens to huddle under the couch and wait for the fights to be over. Scary as it could be, “it was the only life they knew,” and Littleprints found ways to comfort himself. When the kittens are taken away from their parents, Littleprints must face new fears and obstacles as he tries to find a new home, and maybe even be part of a happy, loving family.
Through Littleprints and his family, Gabrielle Israelievitch’s second book for children, Where’s Home?, explores the complex, conflicting emotions of children who have experienced traumatic or neglectful homes as well as the fears and uncertainty that come with trying to move on. Israelievitch’s work as a child psychotherapist adds insight to this authentic story with which children will be able to identify, and from which caregivers can learn.
The authentic situation and its accompanying emotions could easily become too dark for children, but Israelievitch avoids melancholy. Told from Littleprints’s perspective, the book captures every event in a childlike tone. There is deep sadness here, but ultimately this is a hopeful story; Littleprints finds safety, love, and a family. His experience will reassure children that they can recover from their troubles and fears.
Younger foster and adopted children, especially those who have experienced abuse or neglect, will benefit from this story, as will their parents and caregivers. The story is designed to be read and shared between a caregiver and child, which will give children the opportunity to work through emotions that might be stirred up.
Children who have not experienced what Littleprints goes through might be dismayed; by the end of the book they will gain a deeper understanding of what other children go through. This makes the book a unique resource for children living with foster children.
Since the book is intended for younger children, the writing is simple, but moving, and teachers, caregivers, and parents will find it a good tool for connecting with children who’ve been victims of troubled families. Eventually, Littleprints “notices for the first time he is looking forward,” and his journey will help others to do the same.

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THE MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, DECEMBER 2010

"Where's Home?" is a story about experiences of neglect, abuse, foster care and adoption. Told with very real-sounding animal characters including cats and kittens, bear social workers, and mice, "Where's Home?" encourages children to identify with the animal characters, while recognizing their human counterparts. "Where's Home?" is a valuable tool to aid understanding, growth, acceptance, and compassion. Though it does not flinch from some of the harsher events and realities and the sadness underlying pain and violence, "Where's Home?" is essentially filled with hope. Just the ability to learn to recognize some of the needed components of normal life—for example, regular, nourishing meals, clean places to sleep and live, manners and showing care and consideration for others—is missing or stunted in the little neglected foster kittens because they had never experienced such things. How Littleprints, the main neglected kitten, becomes "Little Prince" in the home of Pa and Ma Cool is the satisfying burden of "Where's Home?" Tender black and white detailed illustrations are very effective in touching the readers of "Where's Home?", which appeals to an audience of children ages 8-12.

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Heather, Toronto, February 2011

I am a mom of 4 amazing, beautiful foster kids, and 2 natural children (also amazing!) between the ages of 1-11. I read "Where's Home?" to the oldest 3 foster boys, who are 11, 9 and 7 years old. They LOVED the book and want to buy their own copies! My eldest kept saying, "Littleprints' life is so much like the things we dealt with," and verbally processing it all. The younger two were quieter but definitely thinking and processing. At the end of the story, a key point resonated with me in regards to my 7-year-old, who just became a crown ward (we are planning to adopt him as soon as possible). He lingers so much on his past and has a really hard time being hopeful and excited about his future. When I read the last chapter to them, I had tears in my eyes realizing that this was a big issue for him. After the book I took him down to the living room, cuddled on the couch with him, and talked to him about things he's looking forward to. Reading your book has been a beautiful experience for my family and I am going to start writing the kids' own life stories this weekend.

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From a Social WorkeR

As a social worker and LCSW, I found this book Where’s Home? to have been an exemplary piece of literature that will assist children involved with the foster care system to normalize and validate their experiences and struggles. It directly addresses a myriad of related topics within its contents, yet does so in a manner that is very friendly for a child audience.  Weaved within its pages are the topics of an overwhelmed family state within the family of origin, domestic violence, neglect, substance abuse, and the resulting unpredictability of parents’ behavior to children. I appreciated how the main character feeling torn by his allegiance and love to his parents, while knowing that the care that he was afforded was not sufficient, was highlighted.  The parentifed behaviors of siblings tending for another, juxtaposed with the same character later having to acknowledge his mixed feelings regarding their sibling being re-placed to a higher level of care, was significant as the issue is a central struggle for many foster children. The constant theme of the foster care involvement being a  reflection of seeking safety was initiated within the mice neighbors contacting authorities, with this helping address with foster children that their situation in foster care is “not their fault” and not retaliatory, rather seeking their best interest.  The final theme of adaptation and bonding was a good ending theme as it allows children to finish the book with a positive feeling, as well as validation and personal authority to allow themselves to be happy in their current home, even if it is not the home of their family of origin. A great book and the author should be proud of their contribution to this important need within the foster care system.

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From a Foster Parent

Reading WHERE'S HOME? with my son allowed me to obtain an understanding from a child’s perspective what is experienced during separation from one's biological family.

I found the website useful as it provides resources for helping both parents and children understand that the circumstances surrounding their removal is not their fault.

Reading this book allowed my child and me to build more trust and understanding about how  difficult this experience is and that it may bring about feelings and thoughts that he can talk about with me if he chooses to do so. Finally, he was able to understand he is not alone in his foster care journey. 

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From a social worker

The story Where’s Home?explained the complex foster care system through everyday language that could be understood by youth. It is a great way to introduce youth to foster care using terms that he or she can understand. This book is a good therapeutic resource for young children entering the system who are confused about what is going on and how to cope with the unknown. 

I would also recommend that foster parents read this story to understand the path of a foster child. It is a starting point for discussion with the foster youth in their care. It can allow the child to talk about what they can relate to with the story. Most importantly, it gives them an answer as to why he or she is in care. A child will always have a difficult time comprehending why he or she was removed from the only life they knew, regardless of the unsafe conditions. It could be more traumatic for some than others depending on the reason. This story also hits upon the separation from not only biological parents, but siblings as well, which happens to be another trauma in itself for youth. All efforts are made to keep siblings together, but unfortunately, that cannot always be the case, and children have to be separated in order to ensure his or her safety. 

It would be helpful for incoming foster parents to read this story for exposure to the foster care culture. It would also serve as a good resource for incoming and current foster parents to have young children understand why they are in a new home with strangers.

A suggestion to the author would be to translate the story into different languages in order to better serve our diverse foster care communities.

The website at the end of the book should continue to be printed on the back in order to access the links that share different approaches for the book such as, therapeutic use or educational use.