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Carly Shares Her Story
The night Carly and her dad visited her grandparents changed her life forever.
Child Protective Services showed up and Carly's dad had to leave. Carly watched her dad walk out the door.
At a very young age Carly had to overcome being abandoned by her parents. She thought her brother and sister were sleeping outside. Her school shut down, and in her new school her teacher walked off the job.
Carly reflects back on her life in this book, hoping that sharing her story will let other kids know they aren't alone.
Child Protective Services showed up and Carly's dad had to leave. Carly watched her dad walk out the door.
At a very young age Carly had to overcome being abandoned by her parents. She thought her brother and sister were sleeping outside. Her school shut down, and in her new school her teacher walked off the job.
Carly reflects back on her life in this book, hoping that sharing her story will let other kids know they aren't alone.
42 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 14, 2026
Touching Story..
This story touched my heart in so many ways as a teacher, auntie, and soon to be parent. Mostly because it was told through the eyes of a child that lost her family at a young age. Seeing a lady come in and separate her from her parents and siblings with no explanation because she was too young to fully understand was heartbreaking. The longing for her mother’s touch and to know if her siblings were okay brought tears to my eyes.
In, “Carly Shares Her Story,” the authors showed the struggle that children go through when they are separated from their homes. The child started to connect people leaving their personal situations to leaving her life and never coming back. I love that she had the support of her grandma and grandpa, that filled the gap when it was finally revealed that her mother and father had some real drama going on in their lives with drugs. Even though this book was short it gave a very impactful message. I highly recommend reading this book!
This story touched my heart in so many ways as a teacher, auntie, and soon to be parent. Mostly because it was told through the eyes of a child that lost her family at a young age. Seeing a lady come in and separate her from her parents and siblings with no explanation because she was too young to fully understand was heartbreaking. The longing for her mother’s touch and to know if her siblings were okay brought tears to my eyes.
In, “Carly Shares Her Story,” the authors showed the struggle that children go through when they are separated from their homes. The child started to connect people leaving their personal situations to leaving her life and never coming back. I love that she had the support of her grandma and grandpa, that filled the gap when it was finally revealed that her mother and father had some real drama going on in their lives with drugs. Even though this book was short it gave a very impactful message. I highly recommend reading this book!
February 10, 2026
A Beautiful, Courageous, and Deeply Human Story
“Carly Shares Her Story” pulled me in from the first page and stayed with me long after I finished. This book feels honest, heartfelt, and incredibly personal. The author shares difficult experiences with a level of clarity and compassion that makes you feel like you are sitting right beside Carly, listening to her speak.
What I appreciated most was how the story blends pain, strength, and hope in a very real way. Nothing feels forced or exaggerated. It simply feels true. By the end, I found myself grateful for Carly’s courage and for the author’s ability to bring her voice to life.
This is a powerful and inspiring read, and I am very glad I picked it up. I would recommend it to anyone who believes in the healing and connection that can come from telling your story.
“Carly Shares Her Story” pulled me in from the first page and stayed with me long after I finished. This book feels honest, heartfelt, and incredibly personal. The author shares difficult experiences with a level of clarity and compassion that makes you feel like you are sitting right beside Carly, listening to her speak.
What I appreciated most was how the story blends pain, strength, and hope in a very real way. Nothing feels forced or exaggerated. It simply feels true. By the end, I found myself grateful for Carly’s courage and for the author’s ability to bring her voice to life.
This is a powerful and inspiring read, and I am very glad I picked it up. I would recommend it to anyone who believes in the healing and connection that can come from telling your story.
November 28, 2023
This is a very moving account of a young child's experience in the foster care system. It dives deep into her emotions. The illustrations are beautiful and capture the emotional resonance of the story.
I loved how the author brought church and yoga ("namaste") in the story.
My heart broke for Carly as she continuously wonders where her brother and sister are. The book also underscores how devastating drug use is and how drugs destroy people and their families.
Carly is luckier than many, as she is adopted by her grandparents and eventually reunited with her brother and sister.
The story ends with a hopeful, positive message of gratitude and love. A very important book for all families to read.
I loved how the author brought church and yoga ("namaste") in the story.
My heart broke for Carly as she continuously wonders where her brother and sister are. The book also underscores how devastating drug use is and how drugs destroy people and their families.
Carly is luckier than many, as she is adopted by her grandparents and eventually reunited with her brother and sister.
The story ends with a hopeful, positive message of gratitude and love. A very important book for all families to read.
December 20, 2023
This was story was uplifting and sad at the same time. It's well written, and will tug at your heart. It's well-written with cute illustrations accompanying the story. (Although it's not a picture book). Carly's life gets turned upside down, and you get to hear about how things are from her POV. Her feelings, how things happen, what she's worried about. It's eye-opening to see how things look from a kid's POV as an adult who never had to experience first-hand what Carly did. I think this is an important book both for kids who have to be removed from their home to know they're not alone, and it's ok to feel how they feel, and the adults who take them in, so they can better understand the kids they're taking in.
November 10, 2023
A very thoughtful book for so many children in the world who are put in foster care due to their parents' addiction.
Very well-written, the narrative starts with Carly's distress of being abandoned by her parents. Carly will, in time find out that she is loved by her grandparents and that she is not the only child whose parents are gone.
The illustrations, both in shapes and tones, fit the story perfectly. The book deserves its five stars as it can be a balm on many children's hearts. Helping them to navigate through the madness of grown-ups who sadly mix having children with taking drugs.
Well done!
Very well-written, the narrative starts with Carly's distress of being abandoned by her parents. Carly will, in time find out that she is loved by her grandparents and that she is not the only child whose parents are gone.
The illustrations, both in shapes and tones, fit the story perfectly. The book deserves its five stars as it can be a balm on many children's hearts. Helping them to navigate through the madness of grown-ups who sadly mix having children with taking drugs.
Well done!
September 22, 2025
An extremely well-written children's story about a difficult topic: a child's abandonment by her parents. For those young children who experience this in real life, the experience is well-told through the eyes of the child, from their perspective. The story really captivated me as a reader because, like the child, we may have ideas about why this actually happened, but only receive answers bit by bit as the truth unfolds.
What I also appreciate is that this author has tackled this situation in a child-friendly manner. The illustrations are fantastic and complement the story well. This is a must-read for anyone who is involved with the foster care system.
What I also appreciate is that this author has tackled this situation in a child-friendly manner. The illustrations are fantastic and complement the story well. This is a must-read for anyone who is involved with the foster care system.
July 10, 2025
Carly Shares Her Story is an inspiring and heartfelt journey of resilience, growth, and healing. It goes deep, as she takes readers through her personal experiences.
What stands out most in this book is its emotional honesty. The story doesn’t shy away from complex topics, but it approaches them with grace, making not just a book, but a lifeline for those who may be navigating similar paths.
The narrative is easy to follow yet emotionally rich. Highly recommended for readers looking for a powerful story that leaves you both moved and hopeful.
What stands out most in this book is its emotional honesty. The story doesn’t shy away from complex topics, but it approaches them with grace, making not just a book, but a lifeline for those who may be navigating similar paths.
The narrative is easy to follow yet emotionally rich. Highly recommended for readers looking for a powerful story that leaves you both moved and hopeful.
July 15, 2025
I loved this story. It gave me a perspective, a bird's eye view into the emotions and conflict a young child experiences when her family of origin dissolves because of drug addiction. And it also brought me joy, seeing the resilience children have and the ability to adapt to their surroundings...in this case, the surroundings of a loving set of grandparents able to take on the responsibility of their granddaughter. I loved 'watching' Carly grow and come to trust those around her, even when other people left her life. And she learned to 'dream' of good things to come!!
February 12, 2025
I highly recommend this wonderful and poignant story. This amazing book deals with issues that many kids have to face growing up. The writing is concise and the illustrations are simply incredible. It handles a very serious topic in a way that is appropriate for children. I think it will help lots of kids in similar situations. I could only give it 5 Stars but wish I could add another!
August 12, 2025
From a child's perspective
Heart breaking story about Carly's parents loosing custody due to drugs. She was four. Not getting to see her half-brother and suster was hard. Eventually her grandparents got to adopt her.
Heart breaking story about Carly's parents loosing custody due to drugs. She was four. Not getting to see her half-brother and suster was hard. Eventually her grandparents got to adopt her.
July 30, 2025
Heartwarming
This story about Carly’s separation from her family, and her internalization of what she viewed as desertion was heartwarming. I enjoyed the story.
This story about Carly’s separation from her family, and her internalization of what she viewed as desertion was heartwarming. I enjoyed the story.
April 8, 2026
OHHH…
What a heartbreaking and heartwarming story… The messages are very touching and so gratifying!
What a heartbreaking and heartwarming story… The messages are very touching and so gratifying!
October 22, 2023
Eve Collins and Morgan Carew collaborate to share a profoundly moving and enlightening narrative that offers important and valuable insights into the experiences of children in foster care firsthand.
Carly's journey will resonate with many children who, like her, end up in foster care without initially understanding why. Parents, the very people who should love, protect, and care for their children unconditionally, sometimes struggle with their own challenges, causing their children to be separated from them. Carly's story captures the emotional trials and tribulations faced by children who find themselves separated from their parents and siblings.
At first, Carly is too young to comprehend the reasons behind her family's separation, and she grapples with feelings of confusion and self-blame. She wonders where her siblings are, if they are safe and warm, and experiences moments of loneliness when others, like her teacher, unexpectedly leave her life.
As the story unfolds, Carly grows a bit older and wiser, she gains a better understanding of the circumstances that led to her family's separation. It's saddening to witness the premature loss of innocence that children like her endure in such trying situations. Nevertheless, Carly appreciates the love and support provided by her grandparents, displaying remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, and celebrating happy moments like Christmas time.
I'm grateful for the many grandparents, like Carly's, and other foster parents who step up to care for and support these children, though the painful separation of siblings remains a challenge.
It should be required reading for parents in rehabilitation, allowing them to see firsthand how their choices affect their children. This remarkable book truly gives Carly a voice and really made an impact on me.
Carly's journey will resonate with many children who, like her, end up in foster care without initially understanding why. Parents, the very people who should love, protect, and care for their children unconditionally, sometimes struggle with their own challenges, causing their children to be separated from them. Carly's story captures the emotional trials and tribulations faced by children who find themselves separated from their parents and siblings.
At first, Carly is too young to comprehend the reasons behind her family's separation, and she grapples with feelings of confusion and self-blame. She wonders where her siblings are, if they are safe and warm, and experiences moments of loneliness when others, like her teacher, unexpectedly leave her life.
As the story unfolds, Carly grows a bit older and wiser, she gains a better understanding of the circumstances that led to her family's separation. It's saddening to witness the premature loss of innocence that children like her endure in such trying situations. Nevertheless, Carly appreciates the love and support provided by her grandparents, displaying remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, and celebrating happy moments like Christmas time.
I'm grateful for the many grandparents, like Carly's, and other foster parents who step up to care for and support these children, though the painful separation of siblings remains a challenge.
It should be required reading for parents in rehabilitation, allowing them to see firsthand how their choices affect their children. This remarkable book truly gives Carly a voice and really made an impact on me.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews