Home Now by Lesley Beake

Illustrated by Karin Littlewood. 28 pages. Charlesbridge, 2007.

As this story begins, Sieta is living in a new home, her "Home Now," with her Aunty. She has been traumatized by her parents' deaths (explained in an afterword as due to AIDS). Emotionally disconnected from the friendly world of Home Now, Sieta lives in her memories - both the happy memories of her parents alive and healthy, and the sad, painful memories of their illness and death. This begins to change when her school visits a park where orphaned elephants are cared for. Sieta realizes that she and the smallest elephant, Satara, have in common being orphaned and being Home Now. Meeting Satara is an emotionally meaningful experience, with the result that Sieta finds herself thinking about him along with her memories of her old home. Now she can allow herself to notice that although her new community isn't perfect, it's alive and good. With this realization, she begins to feel a sense of connection with her Aunty and with another child. This story offers compassion and hope to children who have been traumatized by death.

Ages: 4-8
Cultural Context: African