Simone Collier (text) and Naya Lazareva (illustrator), Jeremy’s Changing Family, Little Steps Publishing, March 2021, 32 pp., RRP $14.95 (pbk), ISBN 9781922358790
Jeremy’s family life is complex. He just loved to play Lego with his mum and older brother, Riley but now things have changed. His parents have become foster carers, meaning unfamiliar children come to stay at Jeremy’s house because their families cannot look after them safely.
Sometimes Jeremy connects with the new children immediately and enjoys sharing his toys and playing with them, but sometimes it is harder for Jeremy to befriend a child, especially if they are crying all the time or being mean. Soon enough, Jeremy finds himself struggling with all the uncertainty and the new reality of his changing family.
Although the situation is initially disruptive for Jeremy, with the help of his loved ones, he begins to understand that being a foster family is a new experience for the whole family.
Jeremy and his mum wrote down all of Jeremy’s questions about being a foster family in a special book and told Riley and Dad to write their questions down too.
After a while, Jeremy begins to realise that there are plenty of things that do not change, like his grandparents coming over for fish and chips each week, and the steadfast knowledge that his mum and dad will always be there to care for him and his brother.
On Monday morning, Jeremy told his class all about being a foster family and what it was like to have kids come and live at his house. Jeremy answered everyone’s questions and felt proud of how his family helped other kids.
Author Simone Collier was a foster carer for many years and does a wonderful job of showing Jeremy’s point of view throughout the story as well as depicting the calm patience required by the parents and grandparents in this situation.
Suitable for children 5-10 years, this sensitively written text explores the many tender and difficult moments within the story without shying away from some of the uncomfortable feelings Jeremy is experiencing. The depiction of these strong emotions, particularly for the children in the story, is perfectly captured in Naya Lazareva’s vibrant water colour and pencil illustrations.
With themes of foster care and family complexities, this picture book has earned its place in schools, libraries, and family homes.
Reviewed by Lisa Hoad
