Read Wally’s Grab and Run — Free

To support National Foster Care Month (May) we are sharing a free e-book version of Wally's Grab and Run for you to read and share with others who support children in foster care.

About the book...

Wally is a foster dog with BIG feelings. He’s moved around a lot, and he can’t seem to make sense of a world that doesn’t always feel safe. Unable to express his emotions, his behaviors often speak for him. He grabs food. He runs away. He hides.

In time, with the patience and the compassion of his new family, Wally discovers that his past experiences may not dictate his future, and that maybe it is time to open his heart and learn to trust again.

Wally’s Grab and Run was written to help children in foster care better understand and name their own BIG feelings through a relatable character. The hope for this story is that it will open up the door for gentle conversations, deeper connections, and growing trust. All, creating stronger relationships with the grown-ups who care about them.

Why this book matters...

Children don’t always have the words to explain how they feel. Especially children who have experienced change, uncertainty, or fear.

Wally’s Grab and Run helps children:

• Recognize and name BIG feelings

• Understand that reactions are often triggered by past experience

• See that trust can be rebuilt with consistency and time

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Meet Walter—the real-life inspiration for Wally.

Walter was a foster dog who moved around a lot.

When he first came to live with the family who would become his forever home, he was anxious, confused, and afraid. With so many BIG feelings and no way to express them, his reactions were to “grab,” “run,” or “hide.”

But, with time, patience, and loving care, Walter learned that things weren't as scary as he originally thought. He learned to trust that his family would be there for him no matter what. In time, the grab-and-runs and hiding stopped on their own.

Walter passed away after a wonderful life in 2025, but his legacy lives on. Today, his story helps children understand and express their own big feelings through words they can use every day.

About National Foster Care Month

National Foster Care Month, observed each May in the United States, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of children and youth in foster care while honoring the families, caregivers, and professionals who support them. It aims to inspire communities to get involved—through advocacy, volunteering, or fostering—and to strengthen the systems and relationships that help children feel safe, supported, and connected. Ultimately, the month seeks to improve outcomes for youth in foster care by promoting stability, permanency, and the opportunity for every child to thrive.

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Reviews

“As a foster parent, I appreciate how this book highlights the emotional struggle of trust that my foster kids have experienced. I love that the book uses Wally’s physical reactions and real feeling words that we can discuss together.”

— Mary M. Foster Mom

“Wally’s Grab and Run offers a meaningful way for children in foster care to see their own challenges and emotions reflected in the story of a foster dog learning to trust again. It provides a unique opportunity for conversation and connection.”

— Emily R., Foster Case Worker