Ila’s Circle of Home

By Shalene Ortega

When Ila must leave her home, she carries big questions and her little blue blanket. With help from a Tribal family helper and the steady love of Auntie Mara, Ila learns that she can miss her parents, feel many things, and still be safe.

Surrounded by relatives, community, and culture, Ila discovers that belonging is a circle strong enough to hold every part of her heart.

Ila's Circle of Home is a gentle, reassuring picture book for children ages four to six. It introduces foster and kinship care through a Native child's perspective while emphasizing safety, emotional expression, family connection, cultural identity, and hope.

This story is intended for children, caregivers, relatives, educators, social-service professionals, and Tribal communities supporting children through family transitions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HGXLRQTQ
• ISBN13: 9798170235872
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 0.1" x 8.0"