Children can experience many emotions when a parent is in jail or prison. They may be angry, sad, lonely, or scared. Sometimes friends act differently toward them. Sometimes the children begin acting differently too. In this important book, young readers will learn that even when it feels like nothing can get better again, there are ways they can improve their circumstances. Sending letters, talking to a trusted grown-up about their feelings, and even visiting a parent in jail or prison can help keep a parent close in their hearts. Use this title as a helpful tool to start a conversation with any child in this situation and to remind them they are not alone.

Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family when a Loved One is Incarcerated

Children's Books

Birtha, Becky

Literature & Fiction

Albert Whitman & Company

Review\nKirkus Reviews Best Books of 2017 - Best Picture Books to Give Readers Strength\nSTARRED REVIEW! "This book is a necessary one."―Kirkus Reviews starred review\nSTARRED REVIEW! "A highly recommended title that serves as an excellent entry to discuss incarceration in an age-appropriate way."―School Library Journal starred review\n"Having a parent in prison is a complicated matter…Drawing on her own experience, Birtha gilds the text with tenderness and affirmation."―Booklist\n"A unique and important picture book…Especially and unreservedly recommended."―Midwest Book Review\n"Birtha introduces a multicultural cast of children, each with at least one incarcerated parent (the crimes aren't specified) and a unique challenge."―The Horn Book Magazine\nKirkus Reviews Best Books of 2017 - Best Picture Books to Give Readers Strength\nSTARRED REVIEW! "This book is a necessary one."―Kirkus Reviews starred review\nSTARRED REVIEW! "A highly recommended title that serves as an excellent entry to discuss incarceration in an age-appropriate way."―School Library Journal starred review\nMillions of children worldwide have a parent in jail or prison.\nKids can have all kinds of feelings and questions when a parent is incarcerated. Rafael is embarrased. Rashid is angry. Yen wonders if it's her fault. This sensitive story illustrates a range of situations children may face with moms or dads behind bars, while reassuring them they are not alone.

Six-year-old Sarah Marie, her mother, and her little sister travel down south to visit Grandmama in the summer of 1956. Grandmama makes every effort to shield her granddaughters from the prejudice that still plagues her town. But as Sarah Marie learns to read, she notices Grandmama’s town is filled with signs and rules that she’s never understood before. As Sarah Marie tries to make sense of the world around her, she’s left wondering if life in the South will ever change.

Grandmama's Pride

Every summer Sarah Marie visits her Grandmama who lives in the south. She doesn't realize how segregated the south is because Grandmama is too proud to put up with those things. They walk to town instead of sitting in the back of the bus.

Like so many people during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Marshall Loman's dad has lost his job. There's little money, but there are plenty of beans-in fact, Ma cooks them for supper every single night! Beans start looking better when Marshall sees the contest posted in the furniture store window. HOW MANY BEANS ARE IN THE JAR? WIN THIS BRAND NEW SEWING MACHINE! Ma needs that sewing machine-but how can Lomans possibly guess right? Then Marshall remembers something he learned in arithmetic class. Becky Birtha's engaging story, based on her grandmother's memories of Depression years in the African American community, is illustrated by Nicole Tadgell's expressive paintings.

Lucky Beans

Lovers' choice

Seal Press

For Nights Like This One: Stories of Loving Women

United States

Frog in the Well

During the Great Depression, Marshall, an African American boy, uses lessons learned in arithmetic class and guidance from his mother to figure out how many beans are in a jar in order to win her a new sewing machine in a contest.

Lucky Beans (Av2 Fiction Readalong)

Weigl Pub Inc

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Birtha, Becky. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Birtha, Becky

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Birtha, Becky. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family when a Loved One is Incarcerated

Far Apart, Close in Heart: Being a Family when a Loved One is Incarcerated

Grandmama's Pride

Grandmama's Pride

Lucky Beans

Lovers' choice

For Nights Like This One: Stories of Loving Women

Lucky Beans (Av2 Fiction Readalong)