Elfa and the Box of Memories

When children are fostered or adopted, or possibly both at different times in their young lives, their memories of past families and places and their position in them become of great importance. Elfa, a little elephant, has a box of such memories, which she carries on her back at all times, afraid of losing them. Only Marvin monkey shows any interest in Elfa’s memories, and together they open the box and talk about them – good ones and bad ones, even angry ones. Elfa is sad to find there are gaps in the box, things she can no longer remember, and Marvin helps her find them. Visits to the nursery where she had lived as a baby, to the doctor who looked after her, to a foster family where she had been happy, and to school where she had been the star of the tug-of-war team all produce memories which are put away carefully in the box. Elfa is able to move on, leaving the box in a safe place. Invaluable to children whose young lives have been disrupted, this gentle and understanding story will provide reassurance that they are not alone in their experiences.