A Shelter in Our Car

Rating:
Summary: Very sensitive treatment of a difficult subject
Review: I heard the author of this book read the story at a Children's Book event and I was really stunned by it. I realized that my almost 5 year old son had no idea that there are people who don't have homes, and I felt rather chagrined about that fact. This story of a girl and her mother who are living in their car as the mother tries to find work and save enough money to rent an apartment was so beautifully done I had tears in my eyes for hours afterwards, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I think it is incredibly important for parents to make our children aware that there are lots of problems in our communities that deserve our attention and that we need to be aware of how others are faring, and not focus solely on the welfare of our families alone. This book does not pull any punches, but it is very tender and focused on the primacy of love between a parent and a child. The illustrations convey the emotional intensity of the story in a unique and eye-catching way. I think this book is a great starting point for any parent who wants help in trying to develop a compassionate child who is aware of the shortcomings and strengths of his or her community.