Stories of Love, Belonging & New Beginnings
Gentle ocean stories that help children and families explore adoption, healing, and the many ways love builds a home.
Trey: A New Beginning
The first story in a 10-book series that explores love, loss, and the courage it takes to belong again.
Trey: A New Beginning
When a tiny octopus named Trey loses his parents, the ocean feels impossibly big and quiet. But through the kindness of caring helpers and the warmth of a new family, Trey discovers that love doesn't replace what was lost — it grows around it. A New Beginning is a tender story for children and families navigating adoption, grief, and the beautiful courage it takes to belong again.
Companion Guides
Each book has a separate companion guide designed to support parents, caregivers, teachers, and counselors through meaningful conversations with children.
Companion Guide: A New Beginning
A thoughtful resource for parents, caregivers, educators, and counselors to support children through conversations about adoption, loss, and finding family.
- Guided conversation starters for each chapter
- Emotional validation frameworks for caregivers
- Calm, supportive language suggestions
A 10-Book Journey
Each story in The Trey Series explores a new chapter of growth, connection, and belonging beneath the waves.
A New Beginning
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Friends Beneath the Waves
Every character in The Trey Series carries a heart full of purpose. Get to know the ocean family that helps Trey find where he belongs.
Trey
The Heart of the Story
A tiny octopus with three hearts and an ocean of courage. After losing his parents, Trey discovers that love doesn't end — it finds new ways to hold you. Curious, gentle, and braver than he knows, Trey's journey is one of hope, healing, and learning that family is built through love.
Raya
The First Safe Harbor
A kind and graceful stingray who is the first to find Trey when he is lost and afraid. With gentle patience and a calm presence, Raya helps Trey feel safe enough to breathe again. She shows him that comfort can come from unexpected places.
Ray
A Steady Light
A welcoming and steady presence in Trey's new world. Ray offers protection, patience, and a quiet strength that helps Trey understand what it means to be cared for by someone who chooses to stay. He is the father figure Trey never expected to find.
Dive Into the Story
See The Trey Series come to life through video. Trailers, read-alongs, and more.
Series trailer coming soon
Welcome to The Trey Series
Dive into the world of Trey — a gentle ocean adventure about love, loss, and finding where you belong. Meet the characters, feel the warmth, and discover stories that help families grow closer.
View All VideosDr. Victoria Schmitt
Dr. Victoria Schmitt is the creator of The Trey Series, a growing collection of children’s books that explore the tender realities of adoption, loss, and family formed through love. With a background rooted in care and connection, Dr. Schmitt writes for the children who need to know they belong — and for the adults who walk beside them.
Each story is crafted with emotional intelligence, warmth, and a deep respect for the experiences of families navigating change. The companion guides extend that care, giving caregivers, educators, and counselors practical tools for meaningful conversations.
Read the Full Story
Written With Care, For Everyone Who Cares
The Trey Series supports the adults and communities that wrap around children during life's most important moments.
Families
For parents and children reading together — building bonds through stories that reflect their own journey of love and belonging.
Caregivers
For foster parents, adoptive families, and kinship caregivers who show up with love every day — even when the path is uncertain.
Educators
For teachers and school counselors who create safe spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
Counselors
For therapists, social workers, and support professionals who guide families through transitions with compassion and skill.
Begin the Journey
Discover a story that meets children where they are — and walks beside the adults who love them.