Difficult Topics for Kids: Homelessness and Hunger

Sometimes we have to learn about difficult things like homelessness and hunger. This list of books can help us start the conversation.

Updated October 29, 2025
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Home
Lippert, Tonya K.
Paper Book
Featured in the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, Exhibition called Building Stories In the brown house, Claire and Wes were home. But home turned to nowhere, and nowhere turned to anywhere. Then somewhere finally came, and finally, always. This lyrical story is timely and...
I know how to draw an owl
Hippely, Hilary Horder
Paper Book
Belle draws the best owl in class, but she doesn't say why: she sees them in the park, where she and her mother sleep. Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner! Belle and her mother used to have a house, a table, and chairs, a home like any of Belle's classmates'. But things...
Lulu and the hunger monster
Talkin, Erik
Paper Book
"In this story illustrating the reality of childhood hunger and food insecurity, Lulu invites kids into her world to help them understand what it's like to battle the Hunger Monster. Lulu and the Hunger Monster delivers the right message at the right time, helping readers recognize the problem...
Saturday at the food pantry
O'Neill, Diane
Paper Book
Chicago Public Library Best Picture Books of 2021 Parents Magazine October 2021 Book of the Month A sensitive story about food insecurity. Molly and her mom don't always have enough food, so one Saturday...
Old blue is my home
Judge, Lita
Paper Book
This poignant yet reassuring picture book follows a family and the van that provides them with safety, warmth, and togetherness amidst economic and housing insecurity An old blue van may not look like much, but it holds everything this family needs--shelter, a place to sleep,...
A place for us
Ransome, James
A poignant wordless picture book about a homeless boy and his mom, by Children's Literature Legacy Award winner James Ransome When a little boy's mom picks him up from school, his day seems a lot like any other kid's. He and his mom go out for some fast food and then head to the...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.