Check Out My Newest Guest Post From Author Shenandoah Chefalo PLUS Check Our Her Newest Book ~ The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best! #Givewaway #TheBestBunny
This post is sponsored by Shenandoah Chefalo. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
From Foster Care to Healing: Why Lived Experience Matters in Children’s Literature
There’s a moment in childhood that many of us remember vividly: when a story reached into our hearts and told us, “You’re not alone.” For me, that moment came later than it should have, because the stories I needed as a child didn’t exist. I grew up in the foster care system, moving through more than 50 placements. Books were one of the few constants in my life, but none of them reflected the reality I was living.
That’s why I believe so profoundly in writing children’s literature rooted in lived experience. When stories reflect the emotional truths of children—especially those navigating trauma, grief, or instability—they can become powerful tools for healing.
As the author of The Best Bunny, a gentle picture book about grief and emotional resilience, and the founder of Chefalo Consulting, I work at the intersection of trauma-informed care and storytelling. Here’s why lived experience matters in children’s literature, and how it can make all the difference.
1. Children Know When a Story Is Honest
Kids are far more emotionally perceptive than we often give them credit for. They may not have the vocabulary to describe what they’re going through, but they recognize authenticity when they see it. That’s why stories rooted in lived experience resonate so deeply.
In The Best Bunny, Lil Shen isn’t a perfect heroine. She’s quiet, withdrawn, and unsure how to grieve. She doesn’t cry at the funeral. No one asks her how she feels. These details aren’t made-up—they come from my childhood and from the children and adults I work with today.
Tip: When choosing books for your child or classroom, look for stories that reflect real emotional challenges without rushing to “fix” them. Kids don’t need perfection—they need honesty.
2. Storytelling Builds Emotional Safety
For children who’ve experienced trauma or loss, safety isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. A story can become a safe container where they see their feelings reflected without judgment. Lived-experience stories help normalize grief, anxiety, and big emotions.
I often recommend books where the main character doesn’t “bounce back” by the end of the book. That’s why Bunny Best’s message to Lil is so simple: Do your best. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t linear, and healing takes time.
Tip: Use books as conversation starters. After reading, ask: “Did anything in this story feel like something you’ve felt before?” Let the child lead the dialogue.
3. Representation Creates Healing Opportunities
Children in foster care, those who have lost a loved one, or kids navigating family transitions often don’t see themselves reflected in mainstream picture books. That absence can reinforce a sense of otherness.
When I wrote The Best Bunny, I made sure to center a child who feels invisible and overwhelmed, because that was me. And it remains the reality for many children today. Just like in Willie’s Gift, another beautifully written story about the connection between a child and a comfort object, The Best Bunny uses gentle imagery and emotional nuance to help children feel seen.
Tip: Diversify your child’s bookshelf with stories that center different emotional experiences, especially those involving grief, foster care, or identity.
4. Lived Experience Helps Adults Show Up Better
The power of lived-experience stories isn’t just for kids—they also help adults reflect on their caregiving. When you read a story like The Best Bunny, you might notice what the adults in Lil’s life don’t say. They don’t ask her how she feels. They don’t validate her sadness.
It’s not about blaming caregivers. It’s about reminding us to slow down and witness children in their grief.
Tip: The next time your child is experiencing a strong emotion, resist the urge to solve it. Try instead: “That sounds hard. I’m here with you.”
5. Healing Is Ongoing—So the Stories Should Be Too
One of the questions I get most often is, “Will there be more stories about Lil and Bunny Best?” The answer is yes because healing doesn’t end when the book does.
The next book in the series explores the experience of starting school while still carrying grief. It’s about what it means to bring your sadness with you—and how to be brave anyway.
Children deserve stories that resonate with them at different stages of their healing journey. Whether it’s The Best Bunny, Willie’s Gift, or another story that honors emotional complexity, books can be bridges.
Tip: Revisit the same story more than once. Kids often find new meaning as their understanding of emotions deepens.
Final Thoughts: Story as Sanctuary
As someone who grew up without consistent emotional support, stories saved me. They gave me language I didn’t have, hope I couldn’t see, and characters who made me feel less alone.
Lived experience in children’s literature isn’t about trauma for trauma’s sake. It’s about showing the whole child—messy feelings and all—and honoring their path toward healing.
If you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, I invite you to explore these stories not just as books, but as bridges to understanding. Let them open conversations. Let them soothe what’s unspoken. Let them remind the children in your life: You’re not alone.
I’d love to hear how you’re using books like The Best Bunny or Willie’s Gift to support emotional growth and development. Please tag me on social media @shenandoahchefalo or visit www.chefaloconsulting.com to connect.
Together, we can build a world where every child feels seen, and every story makes space for healing.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Best Bunny: The Adventures of Lil Shen
Written by Shenandoah Chefalo
Illustrated by Alena Tkach
Ages: 4-6 | 28 Pages
Publisher: Self-Published (2025) | ISBN: 979-8990059412
Publisher’s Book Summary: When Lil Shen loses her beloved grandmother, her world suddenly feels unfamiliar, quiet, and full of sadness. On a day filled with gray skies and heavy hearts, she receives a mysterious gift—an ordinary-looking stuffed bunny with extraordinary comfort to offer. Bunny Best, a soft companion stitched with love, becomes her guide through grief, helping Lil Shen remember, imagine, and feel all the feelings she thought she had to hide.
Tenderly told and beautifully illustrated, The Best Bunny is a story of loss, resilience, and healing. Through imagination and the memory of love, Lil Shen discovers that she doesn’t have to be “okay” to move forward. She has to do her best.
Inspired by author Shenandoah Chefalo’s lived experience in the foster care system and her work in trauma-informed care, this heartfelt picture book is an essential resource for families, educators, and professionals helping children navigate grief, big emotions, and life’s most complex changes.
PURCHASE LINK
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Bookshop.org
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shenandoah Chefalo is a sought-after speaker, award-winning author, and expert trauma-informed specialist with more than 20 years of leadership consulting experience. As the Founder and Lead Strategist of Chefalo Consulting, she helps governmental, public, and private organizations integrate trauma-informed practices to create more effective and equitable systems.
Plagued and embarrassed by her name and shaped by a nomadic childhood filled with instability and loss, Shenandoah developed a tough skin early on. Her lived experiences—including foster care, poverty, and homelessness—taught her to navigate adversity, build resilience, and understand people deeply. These qualities later fueled her passion to transform broken systems.
After nearly two decades as a Law Office Administrator, Shenandoah became disturbed by the revolving door of people entering the criminal justice system. She pursued certification through Coach U and became a life coach—an experience that gave her new insight into her own trauma and the systemic failures she had endured.
Research into the U.S. foster care system revealed staggering statistics: over 400,000 children in care daily, 61% aging out without housing, 50% incarcerated within two years, and 80% of death row inmates having spent time in care. These revelations compelled her to share her story publicly and advocate for reform.
Her memoir, Garbage Bag Suitcase, confronts the hard truths of foster care while charting a personal journey of healing. Shenandoah is also the author of several best-selling e-books, including Setting Your Vision and Defining Your Goals, which help trauma-informed leaders implement change, build mental wellness, and strengthen communities.
Her newest book, The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best (releasing July 22, 2025), marks her debut in children’s literature. Inspired by her own childhood, the story models emotional resilience, compassion, and hope for young readers navigating their own challenges.
Shenandoah holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science from Michigan State University. She is a Core Essentials Graduate of Coach U, a Certified Law of Attraction Advanced Practitioner, a member of the National Speakers Association, and an active volunteer both nationally and internationally. She is also known for her expertise in social media marketing and is currently working on her next book, Hiking for Stillness.
For more information, visit chefaloconsulting.com/books.
https://www.instagram.com/shenandoahchefalo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenandoahchefalo/
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Friday, July 25, 2025
Author Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo
Monday, July 28, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Thursday, June 31, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Friday, August 1, 2025
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Monday, August 4, 2025
Guest Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Author Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Friday, August 8, 2025
5 Special Books for Children About Losing a Grandparent
Monday, August 11, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Instagram Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Friday, August 15, 2025
Instagram Post about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Monday, August 18, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Book Review of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Book Spotlight on The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best
Friday, August 22, 2025
Author Interview with Shenandoah Chefalo
NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY!
Enter for the chance to win one of ten hardcover copies of The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best. And for one extra-lucky grand prize winner, there’s a signed copy of the book, a snuggly Bunny Best plush, and an Amazon Gift Card.
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