‘Pedro the Pirate’ costs $18.95 on Amazon. (Contributed Photo)

Special to the Tyler Morning Telegraph

TROUP — Author Ciara O’Neal and illustrator Antonella Fant have announced the release of their new children’s book “Pedro The Pirate: Learning to Trust a New Crew.”

Released in November, this hardcover picture book is 32 pages and costs $18.95 on Amazon at www.amazon.com/Pedro-Pirate-Foster-Kids-Crew/dp/1945369493 .

“Hoist a sail? Do it solo! Explore the high seas? Who needs a crew? Not Pedro. This foster kid (and don’t ye be forgettin’ pirate captain) can do everything all by himself. He doesn’t need his new foster family. But what’s a captain to do when the seas get rough and the treasures are trapped? Perhaps Pedro will discover trusting a new crew might just not be that bad after all,” a press release about the book states.

This story includes a free reader’s guide that can be found on the Cardinal Rule Press website at cardinalrulepress.com. The guide includes activities that can help strengthen reading comprehension and make the experience more fun.

“Pedro the Pirate” is being called a heartwarming book that shows how Pedro feels with his foster family. “He tries to navigate the ship on his own, but discovers that it is better when you allow people to help you!” the press release stated.

Foster care is “a temporary arrangement in which adults provide for the care of a child or children whose birth parent is unable to care for them” (Adopt.org). These children in foster care can feel vulnerable and nervous about their new living situation. Just like Pedro, they may not want help from their foster family. However, once relationships are formed between the foster kids and family, it’s easier to adjust (BMC Psychology). Pedro takes some time to feel at ease, but eventually realizes he’s ready to trust a new group of people.

“Pedro the Pirate” is expected to be a great book for foster families, because it deals with many of the emotions of being a foster kid.