Award-winning Virginia author Robin Conrad Sturm offers families, schools, andchurches a gentle yet honest way to begin conversations about racism, equality,and respect.
MANASSAS, Va. — In a time of heightened social and political division, author RobinConrad Sturm believes children must learn from an early age that every person is worthy of love, dignity, and respect. Her new children’s book, Lost and Found, presents a thoughtful, faith-centered approach to helping young readers understand and resist racism.
Written for elementary-aged children, Lost and Found addresses a serious subject in an accessible and nonthreatening manner. The story teaches children to love and honor all of God’s creations equally while encouraging parents, teachers, and faith leaders to initiate honest, age-appropriate conversations about prejudice and human worth.
Sturm was inspired to write the book by her concern over the increasing sadness, frustration, and fear created by the current social and political climate. Because biases and beliefs are often learned within the family and community from an early age, she hopes Lost and Found will help adults establish a foundation of compassion and equality in children’s lives.
“Children need to be taught from birth that each of us is a deliberate, intentional, beautiful creation of God,” Sturm explains. “He makes no mistakes, and we are called to recognize the value in every person.”
The book is especially well suited for elementary schools, preschools, church youth groups, Sunday schools, vacation Bible schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, Scouting troops, pediatric and therapy waiting rooms, libraries, bookstores, and church gift shops. Its message makes it a valuable resource for any setting seeking to nurture kindness, inclusion, Christian love, and respect for others.
Sturm brings decades of experience working with children to her writing. A graduate of the Academy of the Washington School of the Ballet, she was a founding member and principal dancer with the Washington Ballet. She later applied her experience as a dancer, teacher, and preschool professional to creating books that offer children—and adults—hope and encouragement.
A certified children’s life coach, Sturm received Prince William Living’s Most InfluentialWomen Award in 2020 and InsideNoVa’s Best of Prince William Award for Best Authorin 2018. She lives in Manassas, Virginia, and writes the blog Dancer Grace Notes. Lost and Found also has regional connections to Warrenton, Virginia, where the illustrator is based, and Annapolis, Maryland, which is mentioned in the story.
Through its compassionate message, Lost and Found reminds young readers that can diminish the value God has placed within every human life.