Fostering Hope: 1 (Life Lessons with Daddy)

What if one small act of kindness could help a child feel seen, loved, and never alone?

In Fostering Hope, a father shares an important life lesson with his daughters about children and families experiencing foster care. Through a heartfelt story filled with compassion, curiosity, and hope, the girls begin to understand that even simple acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

As they learn more about the challenges some children face, they discover that creating hope does not always require a grand gesture. A caring word, a thoughtful gift, a moment of friendship, or the willingness to help can remind someone that they matter. The story encourages children to see kindness not simply as something they feel, but as something they can actively choose and share with others.

Written by Chris Hartley and Sue Publicover, and beautifully illustrated by Masha Klot, Fostering Hope introduces young readers to the importance of empathy, generosity, compassion, and caring for others. It reminds children that they do not have to wait until they are grown-ups to make an impact. Through friendship, encouragement, and love, even the smallest hearts can help create meaningful change.

Perfect for families, classrooms, counselors, churches, foster-care organizations, and community groups, this uplifting picture book provides an approachable way to begin age-appropriate conversations about foster care and the power of giving back. Parents and educators can use the story to help children explore what it means to notice the needs of others, respond with compassion, and understand that every child deserves to feel supported, valued, and loved.

More than a children's story, Fostering Hope is an invitation for families to talk, learn, and serve together. It celebrates the belief that hope grows when people choose to care-and that one thoughtful act can inspire another.

A portion of the proceeds from every book supports National Angels and its mission to walk alongside children, youth, and families experiencing foster care through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.

Recommended for children ages 4-10.

Christopher B. Hartley is a father, children's author, business leader, endurance athlete, and advocate for children and families experiencing foster care.Inspired by meaningful conversations and real-life lessons shared with his daughters, Christopher created the Life Lessons with Daddy book series to help children understand important values such as empathy, kindness, courage, generosity, and compassion. His first book, Fostering Hope, was inspired by his family's desire to support children in foster care and demonstrates how one simple act of kindness can make a lifelong difference.Christopher has spent more than twenty years in the homebuilding industry and currently serves as a senior executive in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is also actively involved in charitable and community organizations focused on providing housing, resources, encouragement, and hope to families in need.Outside of his professional career, Christopher is an endurance athlete who has completed marathons and an Ironman triathlon while raising awareness and funds for charitable causes. His philanthropic efforts have supported organizations including National Angels, which works to strengthen and empower children, youth, and families experiencing foster care.Christopher believes some of life's most important lessons are learned through everyday moments between parents and children. Through his books, he hopes to inspire families to have meaningful conversations, recognize the needs of others, and understand that no one is ever too young to make a positive impact.Christopher lives in North Texas and is the proud father of two daughters, Harper and Jensen.

Sue Publicover is an accomplished writer, editor, and author coach with nearly 20 years of experience helping individuals and businesses transform ideas into compelling, published content. Her work spans books, articles, websites, marketing materials, proposals, manuals, and video scripts.With extensive experience in self-publishing and content development, Sue is known for her collaborative, thoughtful, and highly personalized approach. She guides authors through every stage of the writing process from shaping an initial idea to refining the final manuscript while helping them preserve their authentic voice and message.As co-author of Fostering Hope, Sue brings her storytelling expertise and passion for meaningful, purpose-driven writing to a heartfelt children's story that encourages empathy, kindness, and compassion. Her ability to blend creativity with clarity helps create stories that connect with children and inspire important conversations within families.

Masha Klot is an accomplished children's book illustrator and picture-book artist whose imaginative work is inspired by storytelling, adventure, and the beauty of the world around her. For more than ten years, she has brought stories to life through expressive characters, vibrant settings, and illustrations filled with warmth, wonder, and emotion.Throughout her career, Masha has illustrated children's books, interactive publications, editorial features, websites, and social media campaigns. She has collaborated with established publishers in the United States and the United Kingdom, including Storytime Magazine and Windy Press, as well as independent authors, creative studios, and emerging storytellers.Masha's distinctive artistic perspective has been shaped by an adventurous life abroad. She and her husband have lived in seven countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, and the Philippines. Each destination has influenced her creativity, enriching her work with a sense of curiosity, cultural appreciation, and discovery.She currently lives and works in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from a cozy studio nestled between the city's historic old town and its lush surrounding mountains. When she is not illustrating, Masha can often be found exploring nature, studying Thai, enjoying milk tea, or creating playful handmade crafts.As the illustrator of Fostering Hope, Masha beautifully captures the story's tenderness, compassion, and childlike sense of wonder. Her heartfelt illustrations invite young readers into the story while helping its message of empathy, kindness, and hope resonate long after the final page.