Separated from his parents, Henry is discovered by two children who once lived in the foster care system. By taking Henry in, the family discovers how important it is to take time to listen to the similarities and differences of each and every member of a family. Later, when Henry and his aunt and uncle are reunited, Henry learns that he can happily belong to more than one family!
Kinship care is a federally supported child-welfare initiative in which children come to live with their extended families. Henry and the Magical Words was inspired by one such child. In her words, she wanted to “belong somewhere—anywhere.” Moved by that conversation, and by Margery Williams’s classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, Cate Newbanks-Hawks offers a story that is sure to touch the hearts of anyone who has ever longed to belong. Profits from sales of this book will be donated in support of young people with lived experience in foster care.
About the Author
Cathy Newbanks-Hawks has worked as a public administrator in child welfare in Illinois, Virginia, and Florida. She spent seventeen years developing and running a statewide family support organization in Virginia and served on the board of the National Foster Parent Association. Cathy remains engaged in the national child welfare conversations.
About the Illustrator
Susannah Wagner Merritt is a Virginia native. She modeled the illustrations of children for Henry and the Magical Words in honor of her niece and nephew, who were adopted from foster care.
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