No No Nola Spicolla is a book about a baby goat or "kid" who must live with a foster family for a period as her mother is unable to care for her. This mirrors the need for foster care in human children due to child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or addiction. The author wants children to know that out of home placement is never the child's fault and there are loving families that can help bridge the gap from dysfunction to the collective goal of change and reunification. As a retired Probation/Parole Agent, the author has seen the repercussions of children not having clear answers about what is going on in their lives. This results in confusion throughout adolescence and adulthood which keeps the cycle going. It is hoped the book will open dialog about their situation and help them understand why they are not living at home. No No Nola Spicolla is a spirited "kid" who learns to bond and trust a family that is not her own and feel safe and loved until she could return to her home. The whimsical illustrations in the book are beautiful and portray the joy Nola brought to the Hoglund family during her stay in their home.
