The Gift of Waiting

Wait by Antoinette Portis offers a gentle invitation to stop and smell the proverbial roses. At the child's insistence, they pause. The mom gets a chance to appreciate what she would otherwise blindly bypass as she bustles along. Young readers will enjoy scrutinizing the illustrations for hidden treasures. Parents will be reminded to appreciate the world around us but also the enthusiasm and wonder which our children exude. It is a treat to reconnect to that part of ourselves. Continue reading →

Jack & Emma’s Adoption Journey

A short yet powerful book, the story focuses on the thoughts/feelings of Jack and Emma. The text on each page is accompanied by an author's note addressed to the adoptive parent. This side bar clarifies the moment/issue for the parent and shines light on Jack and Emma's action or thought being depicted on the page. Continue reading →

Cinderella Around the World

adoptive families live with the duality of being seen as both the same and different from biologically formed families. Reading versions on a Cinderella theme can easily segue into conversations about how one's adoptive family is also a variation of a family--not better or less than--yet none-the-less different. Children may share some of their complex feelings about this "different-ness." Such big feelings are a lot for a child to shoulder alone. A book that helps kids bring their thoughts into the open and get the support they need is well worth reading. As you read stories that differ culturally, read with a sharp eye for any bias in the texts and/or illustrations. This too,is an important lesson: look at things with a judicious eye and do not accept something simply because it is in print, on-line, etc. Start early to teach your children to be savvy, critical thinkers. Continue reading →

The Adoption Summit Experience 2015: Come Climb With Us, An On-line Summit

As an adoptive parent, I know what it is like to feel challenged by the unique and complicated demands of life as an adoptive family. As an adoption coach, I know how other families struggle to locate resources that understand adoption and are attuned to the needs of child and parents--both adoptive and birth parents....Imagine finding and talking with a knowledgeable guide who’s also walked that path and survived. Imagine feeling heard, understood and supported, with empathy not judgment. Imagine being able to know what will best serve your child, yourself, your partner, and, your child’s birth parents. How might that kind of unified resource help your family? Imagine no more. On Nov. 10-12, 2015 and Nov. 17, 2015 a collaboration of adult adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents and adoption professional join together to present “The Adoption Summit Experience.” This free, on-line summit is unique as the three individual perspectives join forces to become one voice—a voice that speaks with respect and compassion for all individuals involved in an option. Continue reading →

Souping Things Up

A bagpiping cat, a banjo-strumming squirrel and a singing duck joyfully prepare marvelous pumpkin soup. "Everyone has his own job to do. Everyone is happy. Or so it seems..." Then the story shifts to a new direction. No longer about collaboration and pooling of scarce resources, Pumpkin Soup now focuses on the tension among the former friends.... The book does a great job of capturing the character's frustration, remorse and most importantly their commitment to their friendship as well as their willingness to repair the breach. Their solution provides an excellent template for readers to embrace. Continue reading →

Ditch Perfect. Embrace OK.

Young children dream of being the best super hero, athlete, or most-liked friend. Their fantasies overflow with images of themselves shining above the competition. Such magical thinking rarely that it takes time consuming effort and practice to achieve such excellence. Much to their chagrin, they must work through the often-discouraging process--and hard work--of being a beginner who struggles and fails through multiple attempts. All too often, their spirits waiver and they give up. This book reinforces the idea that OK is the first step on the long road to expertise. Continue reading →

Libraries Open Worlds and Conversations

Lola at the Library portrays three strong messages. The most obvious: the library is a fun place to visit. Second, Books captivate Lola's imagination and she loves choosing and reading. Third, mother certainly values reading. After all, she's spending her time and energy to take Lola to the library and to read her selections to her. A fourth important, although more subtle, message is that mother values reading for herself too. Young readers will intuit this because each time mother and Lola visit the library, mother also selects her own reading material. Continue reading →

Rollercoaster! Fear and Adoption

Fear pulses through the crowd; some shiver with anticipation. While others quake as they wait. "At least one of them has never ridden on a roller coaster before,...ever."...Readers--child and parent both--will delight in scrutinizing the detailed illustrations for hints about how the characters are feeling Continue reading →

Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children

Beyond the obvious message of appreciating the rainbow of humanity's color, this book invites discussion of race, of difference, of acceptance and of respect. Some might argue that the book reinforces the belief that anyone of a mixed heritage which includes only the slightest bit of African-American ancestry might more accurately consider themselves of mixed race and not simply as black. These are important topics for adoptive families yet they are not easy to introduce; this book offers an excellent gateway. Continue reading →

Boxing Kids In

Nobody likes to be boxed in. But in this group of of three books, readers will discover the creative power that exists in the possibility of an empty box. Whether for fun or for a critical purpose like post-war relief, these stories feature children actively engaged in their own lives. Continue reading →

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