The People in My Heart: A Gentle Story About Missing, Loving and Belonging

Some people are with us every day. Some are far away. Some live in our memories. And every one of them can still be part of our story.The People in My Heart is a gentle picture book for children learning to understand the people, memories and feelings that make up their lives.For children who are adopted, fostered or growing up in kinship care, missing someone can bring confusing feelings. A child can feel safe and happy today while still loving, remembering or missing somebody from before.Through warm illustrations and simple, reassuring language, this story helps children understand that they do not have to choose between the people who matter to them.They can love. They can miss. They can remember. They can belong.Created to support conversations around identity, family relationships, memories and big feelings, this read-together story gives children permission to ask questions and recognise that every part of their story matters.Inside children will explore: - loving more than one person - missing people who are not nearby - understanding mixed emotions - asking questions about their story - remembering people and places - feeling secure in the present - recognising that their past is still part of them - building a positive sense of identity and belongingThe book also includes a personal page where children can add or draw the important people in their own story.Suitable for adoptive families, foster families, kinship carers, special guardians, social workers and other adults supporting children through conversations about family, identity and belonging.A comforting reminder for every child: My story has many people. My story has many feelings. Every part belongs to me. And I belong too.