Author Profile
Debbi Michiko Florence
5 Books
Debbi Michiko Florence writes warm, lively books for children and teens, often centered on friendship, family, identity, and the everyday bravery of growing up. She is the author of the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series, which follows a spirited Japanese American girl as she tries new things, learns from mistakes, and celebrates her family traditions. Her books also include the My Furry Foster Family series, Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai, Keep It Together, Keiko Carter, and A Study in Secrets. Florence’s stories are known for humor, heart, and characters who feel real to readers navigating school, friendships, pets, crushes, and change. Across age levels, her work offers inviting, relatable stories with a strong sense of kindness and belonging.
Books in "My Furry Foster Family"
Buttons is tiny, tabby, and very good at hiding from the world.
Eight-year-old Kaita Takano and her family foster animals until they are ready for forever homes. Buttons the kitten is sweet, but he is much shyer than his playful littermates, and every adoption day seems to leave him behind. Kaita wants to help, but kittens cannot be rushed.
Told in Kaita's friendly voice, this illustrated early chapter book follows one family's gentle work with a nervous foster pet. Young readers who love cats will find a cozy story about patience, trust, and learning how to help an animal feel safe.
6-8 Years
73 Pages
Betty is not soft and cuddly, but she definitely knows how she wants to be treated.
Kaita Takano's family has fostered plenty of dogs and cats, but a bearded dragon is something new. Betty arrives with scales, attitude, and a taste for being pampered like royalty. Kaita wants to help find Betty the perfect forever home, but first she has to learn what this unusual pet needs.
This cheerful illustrated chapter book gives early readers a funny, friendly animal story with a reptile in the spotlight. Through Kaita's eyes, readers see that every foster pet is different, and caring for an animal means listening, learning, and giving them the right kind of love.
6-8 Years
66 Pages
Truman may be an older dog, but he has plenty of trouble left in him.
When the black Lab arrives at Kaita Takano's house, her animal-fostering family is ready to help him find a forever home. But Truman brings tricks, messes, and mischief from morning to night. He is not a tiny puppy, yet he keeps everyone busy with his playful energy.
Narrated by eight-year-old Kaita, this illustrated early chapter book is a lively pick for readers who love dogs and funny pet stories. As Kaita gets to know Truman, she learns that rescue animals can still surprise you, and that helping a foster pet takes patience, humor, and a lot of love.
6-8 Years
71 Pages
Apple and Annie are small, speedy, and very hard to keep in one place.
When two dwarf hamsters arrive from the animal shelter, Kaita Takano is excited to help her family foster them. The hamsters are curious and full of energy, and Kaita wants to find them safe forever homes. There is just one problem: before she can help them, she has to find them.
This lively illustrated early chapter book is a playful animal story for readers who like tiny pets, gentle adventure, and a little bit of chaos. Told by Kaita herself, it shows the fun and responsibility of fostering animals who have minds of their own.
6-8 Years
71 Pages
Roo the rabbit is someBUNNY special, but he is not easy to understand at first.
Kaita Takano is thrilled when her family welcomes a mini lop foster pet. She is used to dogs that lick your face and show you exactly how they feel. Roo is different. He is skittish, quiet, and not sure he is ready to trust everyone yet.
Kaita wants to help Roo find a forever home, but she may need to slow down and learn how rabbits show comfort in their own way. This gentle illustrated early chapter book is a sweet animal story about patience, care, and discovering that every pet has a different personality.
6-8 Years
70 Pages
