Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

My daughter is a social worker in the foster/adoption field, and Room in the Nest by Holly Marlow does a great job of explaining how that system functions. Every child in foster care has their own story. There are many reasons a child may end up in foster care or even be adopted. Holly honors the foster parents and the social workers who bring everyone together. Being a foster parent is difficult because children come to live with you, get into your heart, and then go back to their parents or some other suitable guardian. However, the foster parent must remember that they have influenced that child in a way that will last a lifetime. Holly explains the love of the foster parents, the concern and care of the social worker, and the need for acceptance, protection, and love of the children.

Holly Marlow has written a wonderful children’s book that explains why the foster care system exists and how it works. As you read this book with your child, explore why children go into foster care. Too often, children think those in foster care are just throw-away children that no one loves. Holly helps the reader see that this is not the case and that the system is built on love for children. Room in the Nest is interesting and informative. Holly drew the illustrations with the help of her younger sister. Holly has taken a complex and emotionally charged concept and presented it in a way that children will appreciate and understand. As a 40-plus-year pastoral counselor, I highly recommend this book.