ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Meet Dustin Arrieta
Author, childcare leader, and foster and adoptive dad.
Dustin is the author of Griffin & Scout: A Team for Griffin, a gentle picture book created to help children navigating foster care feel seen, heard, and supported.
More than 15 years of work with children and families—through ministry, childcare, and community leadership—shaped the heart behind the story.
✓ 15+ years serving children and families
✓ Foster and adoptive parent
THE HEART BEHIND THE BOOK
Why I wrote Griffin & Scout
When a child enters foster care, familiar life can change quickly. New people, new rooms, new routines, and big questions can arrive all at once—often before a child has the words to explain what they are feeling.
I wanted to write a story that could meet children in that uncertainty without pretending every question has an easy answer.
Through Griffin and his beloved teddy bear, Scout, children meet caring adults who listen, explain, advocate, and provide steady support.
EXPERIENCE THAT SHAPED THE STORY
Written with children and caring adults in mind.
The story grew from years spent serving children and families—and from personal experience walking beside children through unfamiliar routines, big feelings, and uncertain seasons.
CHILD-CENTERED
Children and families
More than 15 years serving children and families through ministry, childcare, and community leadership.
LIVED EXPERIENCE
Foster and adoptive parenting
Personal experience caring for children as they navigate change, questions, new routines, and relationships.
FOR CARING ADULTS
A gentle conversation tool
A story written for children and created to help caring adults begin thoughtful, age-appropriate conversations.
A PERSONAL NOTE
Faith, compassion, and steady care.
Laura and I believe opening our home is about more than offering a place to stay. It is about showing patience, steady love, and hope during a season a child may not fully understand.
Our faith in God shapes that calling. It reminds us that every child has value, every family deserves compassion, and hope can remain present even in difficult and uncertain places.
Griffin & Scout is my small way of offering children a few gentle reminders—and giving caring adults a place to begin.
If this story helps one child feel a little less afraid or one caring adult begin a needed conversation, it will have done what I hoped it would do.
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
Be first to hear when Griffin & Scout arrives.
Join the launch list for book updates, behind-the-scenes progress, foster-care resources, and launch news.
Griffin & Scout is a gentle conversation resource and does not replace professional guidance, agency policy, counseling, or training.