Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely

by Kim Botto

What if we stopped trying to ‘fix’ kids whose behavior doesn’t meet expectations—and started digging beneath their behavior to see what they really need?

Some children have big emotions, loud voices, or reactions that catch adults off guard. Whether they’re neurodivergent, have a disability, or have experienced trauma, their behavior often reflects a deeper story—not defiance.

In Boundless Hope for Every Child, Kim Botto shows parents, caregivers, and ministry leaders how

Calm and support children with big emotions

Respond thoughtfully to challenging behaviors

Build trust and connection with kids who experience the world differently

Create inclusive spaces where every child feels seen and safe

Drawing from decades of experience in children’s and student ministry, trauma-informed care, behavior support, and nonprofit work with multisystem-involved youth—as well as her own journey as an adoptive mom—Kim combines heartfelt stories, practical strategies, and research-backed insights.

Encouraging, practical, and compassionate, this book will help you see kids in a new light and make a real difference in their lives.

About the
Kim Botto has spent more than 30 years walking alongside kids, families, and ministry leaders as they navigate life’s tough moments. She holds a Master’s in Family Ministry and is a TBRI® Practitioner and Trauma Free World Affiliate Trainer. Her work spans trauma-informed care, behavior support, and nonprofit programs for multisystem-involved youth. An adoptive mom and longtime children’s and student pastor, Kim is a passionate advocate for inclusion and belonging. She loves a messy table, meaningful connection, and spending time with her eleven grandkids.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing read on modern methods of making church inclusive for all children.

The clear language to communicate succinct ways to make environments welcoming to all people makes this book a must read for all people in ministry.

I felt seen as a neurodivergent person, a mother of children with autism, adhd, and other disabilities.

Even as a minister who has been running an inclusive ministry for over 12 years I still took away helpful information to implement with the language I use with my volunteers and colleagues in training.

The book has been tagged and highlighted.

Going through a second read as I do the zoom meetings offered for those who have read the book and it’s still just absolute gold.

[Melissa Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Work with kids or not, this book is worth reading. More than knowing information on Kids… is getting to understand human and have more empathy. 💓

[Kara Kilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone working with children. Kim is passionate and practical. You will come away with ideas and strategies you can start using immediately to reach some of the most vulnerable children.

[Kari Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book you wish could be downloaded instantly into the brains of everyone around you? Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely is one of those books for me. As the mother of a child with autism, ADHD, and a few other ingredients in his neurological soup, grace has sometimes been in short supply. Kim Botto shines a light on the truth about our kids; they are fearfully and wonderfully made, they are not the sum of their behaviors but are made in the image of God, and they have so much to offer the world if others would take the time to be "curious and not judgmental". She invites us to stop reacting to kids with unexpected behaviors, and start leaning in to provide presence and understanding instead of punishment and isolation. She reminds us that "A kid’s story starts long before we meet them." Whether it's trauma, neurodivergence, or other situational events, Kim provides practical, immediate strategies to make our kids feel safe, welcomed and loved.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for churches that want to create spaces where all children and families are welcomed.

[Kristi Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundless Hope should be a staple in the library of all parents, grandparents, foster parents, and anyone working with children or students. The delightful stories combined with practical strategies help the reader to truly look beyond behaviors to meet the needs behind them. I look forward to reading it again in print with my highlighter to capture all the helpful nuggets to add to my toolkit for special needs ministry and supporting my own family. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to be inspired and informed in making a difference in the next generation.

[Andrea Cheetham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with strategies to come alongside children facing a challenge or struggle.

[Sissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do a children's class for our church, and this book was given to us to read.. almost like the do's and don'ts when the child is in your care. Easy read. Good scenarios...

[Sarah Ables · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for anyone who works with or even knows a child or teenager. In this book, Kim provides the reader practical tips to help create spaces where all kids and teens, (yep even THAT one), can be free to be themselves.
Through real life story telling and examples, Kim helps redirect our focus from blaming and shaming behavior to coming in close and building relationships to help understand what a child needs to be successful. Kim's strategies are small enough to be implemented by anyone, but impactful enough to really make a difference.

[Abi Khavari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book!! Kim writes in such an easy to read way and offers so many practical tools for helping kids who have disabilities, experienced trauma or need sensory support. But truly this book is beneficial for any parent, educator, ministry leader or anyone who works with kids.

As a special needs ministry leader and a parent of a child with a disability I hope and pray this book is widely spread as a resource. We need more people in the world speaking like Kim, believing and valuing and loving children who God has created uniquely.

Loved this book!

[Andrea J Roseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim Botto has done a fantastic job of giving practical advice to help leaders, help every child have hope! This book is easy to read, and so full of tips that I will read again and again. Perfect for anyone working with kids. The suggestions given will help all kids. So thankful that she put her years of experience onto paper to share with the world. If you are a ministry leader or parent that is struggling to know how to help a child, grab your copy today.

[Lisa Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundless Hope offers a wealth of practical insight to inspire and equip ministry leaders and parents who want to care for children well, particuarly those who are struggling. Kim Botto expertly shares meaningful anecdotes from decades of personal and professional experience. Her book helped me catch a vision for making healing connections with kids. This book will foster comfort, hope and belonging between children, their families, their churches and their communities.

[Betsy Palm · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! So many simple, practical, authentic ways to engage with children of all walks of life. This book changed my approach, 'fixed my face' and reactions, and gave me an intentional heart to get to know my kid friends. I want to me more than just a help to kids and parents, I want to use what I've learned to make a difference, be a safe space and truly know the hopes and dreams of every child.
Thanks, Kim Botto, for putting this on paper to look at over and over.

[Laura Deeken · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a heart for children with disabilities but aren't sure what to do or where to start, this is the book you need. Kim Botto bases her methods on research, but it's the application of how she uses and teaches those methods that really helps. This book is perfect for anyone needing help with unwanted behaviors because it gives multiple practical tips on how to truly connect and show God's love.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone working with children and families. Kim has created a beautiful resource full of compassionate wisdom that enthusiastically welcomes every child just as they are, while inviting those leading them to thoughtfully notice the ways they can create more disability friendly and neurodiverse spaces. This will be a resource you can come back to over and over again.

[Kenna Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book to anyone working with children, especially in the ministry capacity.

[Jodie Slongo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are in ministry and looking support special needs families in your area this is the book to read!

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this book and wish I had it when I was raising my boys. My oldest had sensory issues and ADD and I would have done many things different with him had I read this book when he was young. These tips will help me do better when we have grandchildren. I’m buying copies for friends and recommend this book to anyone volunteering with kids.

[Heather Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many helpful nuggets in this book! As an intervention specialist and a parent of children with disabilities as well as those who were adopted, there were so many parts I bookmarked to go back and reread again and again. I wish I could travel back in time and use some of the advice even as my kids were younger. Highly recommend!

[Tiffany Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundless Hope for Every Child is a MUST for every special needs parent and every ministry! It helps the parents be seen and understood and gives tools to communicate and work alongside ministries. It shows churches how to support kids, youth, any individual in their church without having to have a specific disability ministry. It also helps churches know how to support families when the families aren’t even sure themselves of what their child needs. It’s just a great tool for everyone to have!