Still a Family: A Story about Homelessness
Author: Brenda Reeves Sturgis
Illustrator: Jo-Shin Lee
Reviewed by: Michaelene M
Still a Family is a picture book that centers on a family experiencing homelessness. It’s told from the perspective of a young girl, and it offers an intimate and empathetic look at the difficulties of growing up homeless. From the nights of too much noise and too little sleep, to the times where her father must go to a separate shelter from her and her mother. However, the story also shows the togetherness and comfort she experiences with her family.
The illustrations are sketched from the view of the young girl as well, each drawing focusing on the people around her. The colorful and sincere portrayal of her environment captures the mood in such a genuine, heartfelt way.
Sturgis handles the subject with care and fills the story with resilience, closeness, and love in knowing that they will always be a family. This is a wonderful picture book to introduce to a young child who may be going through a similar situation or know someone who is.
Further reading resources are listed at the back.
Still a Family: A Story about Homelessness is available in hardback at the library and as a digital ebook on the Oklahoma Virtual Library. Call us at 580-234-6313 to reserve the in-library copy.
