Adoption Books

Thriving as an Adoptive Family by David and Rene'e Sanford.

This book is a Focus on the Family Resource. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc published it.
This is a wonderful resource book for families that want to adopt or, that is thinking about adopting. It is also a valuable resource for someone who may be thinking about giving up her baby for adoption.
I love how it shows you step by step what to do in the process. It's a book that adoptive parents can come back to time and time again. I think it's almost a must read for anyone even considering adopting. I do not think most people would even realize what adopting a child would mean to them, the child, and the birth mother.
I absolutely loved the idea in the book about having a ceremony to celebrate the process. The book talked about one that includes having a ceremony in a Church. It makes it very personal for the adoptive parents, the child, and the birth mother. You are not only doing this adoption legally (with the paperwork involved), but before God. How Awesome is that! This is a must read for anyone in the adoption process.

This is an excellent resource for adoptive families, but I would especially recommend it to any couples who are even considering adoption. I think it would be most helpful to read it first before you adopt, and then keep it on your shelf for reference after you bring your child[ren] home. It includes very practical information from a wide range of contributors.

I especially appreciated the following quote:

"People make some of the same principal mistakes when they are contemplating adoption that they do when considering marriage. Everyone expects the new arrangement to fulfill all longings and dreams. The reality is that in both cases--marriage and adoption--the parties involved can expect to work very hard for a long time with no guarantees that life will turn out just the way they hoped. In most cases, the end result doesn't look anything like they expected, but it may be a greater blessing than they imagined." --Raymond and Ann Holland

It's way more than I expected it to be. Good read for anybody who is troubled or who has been troubled in their younger years, good for those who interact with foster youth, or for anybody interested. This book paints a candid picture of reality and just that. There's no attempt to persuade the reader's views on the system, although stories directly from foster youth shed light on the pluses and minuses of the system. This one stands out from the others in its class.

This book takes you inside the world of foster care, a place that, you find out quickly isn't somewhere you want to be. The voices of the children themselves tell the stories in this collection of essays. We see things as they actually are: siblings are split up and sometimes never reunited, children's loyalties between abusive or neglectful parents and the "system" are questioned, kids age out of the system and are left to a world they know nothing about without a family to guide them. It is all here. It is all true. I challenge you to read it and not have it make you think long and hard about the way "the system" works and how it affects the kids.

Yes, the book is a little sappy and does not address the complexities of adoption - but, it does at least address the issue of birthparents (unlike some adoption books that read as though the child dropped from the sky). My 5 year old is grappling with the losses inherent in adoption. We have other books that address those losses, but at times she wants just to be comforted. This became apparent when I brought this book home from the library. I thought it was a little TOO positive, and was set to return it before even reading it to her, but she begged to hear it and since then has begged to renew it. My daughter has a lots of sleep difficulties, yet every time I read this book to her, she falls asleep immediately. I see this as evidence that it really must enhance her sense of security.
Based on her reaction, I think it will be a valuable addition to our library and plan to buy it.

More families today look like ours -- an assortment, rather than a matching set -- but it's still rare enough to find a book that features a family like ours. Heart of Mine tells the story of a Vietnamese baby girl's adoption in perfect toddler/preschooler language. Every child's favorite story is her own story, and finding herself in a book like this means a lot to my daughter.

A wonderful story about hopes and dreams. This is a story about a little girl who was adopted and now wants to adopt a puppy of her own. She hopes and dreams of her puppy and when she goes to the shelter she finds the perfect one.

Beautiful, warm, illustrations.

At last! A wonderful book that celebrates adoption (specifically transracial adoption.)

Hope-so was adopted by a family that hoped so for a child to love and care for. Their hope was answered when a special little girl entered their family. Because they had hoped so for a child, they named her Hope-so. Hope-so wanted to pass on the love and family life she now had. She wanted to give her heart to a puppy that needed a little girl. And while she hoped for a puppy, a little puppy, without a family, hoped for the same.

Hope-so Too is the delightful story of the dreams that can come true when two hope together. It is also the celebration of love and family. The illustrations are stunning with loads of inviting and colorful images that will draw in children and adults alike.

Armchair Interviews says: Hope-so Too is a special story that will resonate with all families, not only adoptive families.

This book is great for parents explaining what it means to be adopted to their kids. My daughter is not adopted, but it helped her understand this concept in terms she could understand. Highly recommended!

This is a great book about the many wonderful meanings about being adopted and how she is special because of it. Beth-Ann shares her story about her own experience of being adopted and how lucky she is to have a loving family to call her own. Buy This Book!!

Jackson Finds a Home is an adorable book! It is a fun story about a lovable dog finding a home and his new owners. My niece loves to read it and takes it wherever she goes. It's an excellent book for young children learning to read with charming pictures and a delightful story. I strongly recommend this book!

"Jackson Finds A Home" is a delight. Ms. Neveloff captures the thoughts and emotions of Jackson a charming dog who loves table scraps, secret treats and belly rubs. Most of all he wants a home. But will he find someone who is a good match? The answer is yes. He finds the perfect match and the book "Jackson Finds A Home" is a perfect match for young beginning readers. This book is enjoyable to read and reread. It rings true to life and is appealing to children and adults. My granddaughter loves Jackson. You will to. Hopefully "Jackson Finds A Home" will find a home in many homes and the author will continue to write books about this adorable, lovable dog. I strongly recommend "Jackson Finds a Home" to all dog lovers.

This is a heartfelt, lovely story set with stunning illustrations. It is a must have for anyone interested in adoption and a great gift for all parents.

JoJo is a heart felt story that really moves you ... I cried through much of the story. It's a gem and worth the read, and a great price at $14 (it's $20 in the bookstores)!

Change to brother-Zack, sister-Carlee, province-Hubei. Everything else is exactly the same as our story. I cried like a baby while I read it. Everyone with a Red Thread connection will love this book.

Love the book. Great story, wonderful pictures. Our adopted 6 year old Chinese daughter is in the process of getting a new sister, and loves this book too.

I don't write many book reviews. But when Debra asked if I would review her son Christopher's book, I couldn't wait. I had read Chris's previous work and was amazed at the talent of this young man. So I had to take advantage of the opportunity to share this book with others.

"Just Chris" - a simple title for what could be a simple story. But the story of Christopher's life is anything but simple. Born with an assortment of physical problems, he was more than his birth mother could care for. But God had a plan for this young man and the first step was a couple who had been longing for the child of their heart - Christopher.

Chris shares his life with us. Settling in with his new mom and dad, the difficulties he faced in school, the surgeries he endured - all are discussed freely. But if you think this is simply a story of all that Chris has endured, you are wrong. It is a story of triumph and hope and most of all love. Chris writes of the love of his new family, his friendships and his victories - both large and small - over the many challenges he faced. His story will make you laugh at times. At times you will find tears in your eyes. But at the end of the book, you will look at Chris with respect and admiration for all that he has achieved. And you will become, as I have, a member of his "fan club", - praying for and encouraging him, watching to see what new challenge he will conquer next - and hoping he continues to write!

It isn't often that I am privileged to review a book written by a youth and I was very honored to be asked to review, "Just Chris." This is a work that will capture your heart, and certainly give you more than the title implies. In this book you will meet, Christopher Shiveley Welch, who is one remarkable young boy. Christopher came into this world with many physical problems, born to a mom who just was not able to care for this new soul. However, there was a couple who had been believing for the child of their heart, and as Christopher writes in his book, God gave him to them.

Christopher takes us on his journey from settling into his new home as a baby, to his present time. He opens his heart to the reader. He tells of the love that covered him, the struggles he encountered in his schooling, the pain of his many surgeries to make him acceptable in the eyes of our society, and his amazing life in general. Chris also speaks of friendships, mentors in his life, emotional struggles and miraculous victories. His story is simple, but complex. It is heart tugging and at times amusing, yet always laced with innoncence and truth. I liked that.

I believe after reading his story there were several things impressed upon me. One, Chris is a young boy who faced many insurmountable obstacles in life, but through each one he found new hope, and determination to continue on. He is certainly one remarkable boy. If I was watching this unfold in a movie, there certainly would have been times that I would have given him a standing ovation for the obstacles he encountered and overcame.

I also feel that he knows how special he is. He understands that every person comes from the heart of God and has their own purpose on this earth. No one is a throw away person, and because of his wonderful upbringing, and what he has already overcome, he sees the world and those in it as very special. That in itself is a rare gift.

"Just Chris," is more than a boy telling of his life. It is a story that surely will bring encouragement to many who face challenges, feel worthless due to some physical handicap, or face rejection in anyway. It is a story of hope, courage and steadfast love. I believe Christopher has an exciting life ahead of him, and he will fly to heights that even he cannot imagine at this time. A great read, from a great young man.

Here is a story that adults will enjoy as much as the pre-teen reader. The author never talks down to her audience and the story is both fast-paced and funny. Imagine a modern day "Prince and the Pauper" featuring identical twins separated as toddlers. One grows up in modern America while his twin is "stuck in an episode of Little House on the Prarie."

Ms. Brown has a wonderful gift for description. The story is set in rural Appalachia and I found myself "seeing" the blazing leaves and I actually felt cold as I read about the first autumn frost. She is equally talented in dialogue and I loved reading the spunky exchanges between Jude, Owen, Gran and all the other relatives who inhabit Johns Mill, Virginia.

The last few chapters are poignant but never sappy; after all, this IS a story about teenage boys. Although the author brought a tear to my eye during the final pages of "Kin," I was extremely satisfied with the ending.

I'll definitely recommend "Kin" to my friends and I dearly hope the author has already started her next book!

My nephews and I read this together and I can't decide who liked it more. It's just as fun and exciting for grown-ups as it is for kids! The whole premise is so interesting and the characters and dialogue so believable. I'm looking forward to Ms. S-Brown's next book.