This Children’s Week (19 – 27 October), MacKillop Family Services (MacKillop) invites the community to focus on the importance of safe environments and foster care for children unable to live at home.
To highlight this, they are announcing the release of a children’s book illustrated by a child they supported to move into permanent care.
13-year-old Lindsay is the illustrator of a new heart-warming children’s book Two of a Kind, written by Irene Fitzpatrick. The book aims to inspire and educate children about foster care, adoption, and the importance of nurturing environments.
At MacKillop, every child’s potential is nurtured through a variety of support services including foster care, kinship care, disability services, and more. Two of a Kind is a poignant story about a young girl’s journey through foster care and adoption, beautifully illustrated by Lindsay, who herself has experienced the foster care system.
The author, Irene Fitzpatrick, shared her inspiration for the book: "Having been adopted myself, Two of a Kind is a story close to my heart. It's about the universal need for belonging and the power of hope. I hope this book encourages children to understand and embrace the diverse ways families can come together."
Lindsay, the talented young illustrator of Two of a Kind,
expressed her joy in contributing to the book: "Drawing the illustrations for Two of a Kind was exciting. I wanted to show what it feels like to be part of a family where everyone loves and cares for each other."
The book will be available from Children’s Week in the reading corner at the Museum of Play and Art in Geelong and Sandringham, fostering a sense of community and understanding among young readers.
Two of a Kind is available in hardback, paperback, and Kindle eBook formats, with $1 from every copy sold donated to MacKillop Family Services to support their mission of providing safe and supportive environments for children.
MacKillop’s National Foster Care Leader, Jasmine Perry said: “Foster carers have a profound impact on the life of children, providing safe and nurturing homes when they need it most. We encourage all members of the community – young and old – to find out more about foster care and we’re excited to see foster care families celebrated in this new book.”
For more information about Two of a Kind, visit irenefitzpatrick.com.au or Amazon.
