Adoption Books

This is a lovely book. The characters are vivid and the reader empathizes with them. I believe that the book goes for honesty and tackles a range of emotions. Plus the writer has created an emotional bond that is liberating and dynamic. One of Julie Anne Peters' best books. With an optimistic approach!Totally recommended! :)

I loved it! I'm not a lesbian, or the product of a gay family, but got a chance to feel that there are true family values out there, and Julie Peters is telling about them!

BETWEEN MOM AND JO is the first book I've read by Julie Anne Peters, but it won't be my last. In fact, as soon as I finished this book, I went and read KEEPING YOU A SECRET and LUNA. And while we're on confessions, this is also the first book I've read dealing with GLBT issues, but again, it won't be the last. This book grabbed at my emotions, affecting me with every word so deeply that I finished it in only a matter of hours--and have been thinking about it ever since.

Nicholas Nathaniel Thomas Tyler has always only known one type of family life. He's the only child of mom Erin--and mom Jo. His earliest memories revolve around one or the other of his mothers, but it's usually Jo who is prominent, making him forget about the need for stitches at age three or tangling with the homophobic teacher he had in third grade. His mothers, of course, have their ups and downs like all parents do. Mom Erin complains about mom Jo's drinking and her inability to hold down a steady job; mom Jo can't stand mom Erin's stony silences when she's angry. For Nick, having two mothers is just the way life is. He's heard all the "queers" and "faggots" through the years, he's wondered about the father that donated sperm for his conception, and he's been haunted over whether having two lesbians for parents will make him gay.

Most of all, though, Nick has experienced love from two women who only want him to be happy. He has a three-legged dog named Lucky 2, a ton of fish that he takes care of religiously, and there's even a feral cat named Savage thrown into the mix to keep things interesting. Nick's life is pretty normal--or as normal as it can ever be--until the year he turns fourteen, and Jo moves out.

After a marriage, a child, lost jobs, meetings at AA, college courses, and a relationship that they'd always promised would remain whole, his mothers break up. Nick is suddenly thrust into turmoil, and his whole world falls apart. He's left with mom Erin, his biological mother, even though what he wants most in the world is to be allowed to live with mom Jo. Erin won't hear of it, however, even though she's the one with Kerri, her new girlfriend. She's the real parent, and Jo let trust get in the way of legally adopting Nick, so there's no out.

As Nick descends deeper into depression, as Erin becomes fanatical about not allowing her son to even to talk to Jo on the telephone, as Kerri moves into their home, something has to give.

BETWEEN MOM AND JO is heartfelt, genuine, and painfully honest. For anyone who has ever watched the breakup of a family, or for those with gay or lesbian parents, this is the book for you. I promise it will stay with you for quite awhile.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

What happens when your parents break up? What if they were not married in the eyes of the law, and one of them has no biological or legal claim to you?

Ever since he was little, Nick has been teased because he has two moms. Nick's mothers taught him not to be ashamed of his parentage, no matter what others said. Though it is hard for him to deal with bullies and name-calling at school, Nick is pretty happy when he is home.

Happy, that is, until his moms split up. Nick stays at home with Erin - who he calls Mom, who he's always called Mom, because she biologically is just that - while Jo gets an apartment of her own.

As always, Julie Anne Peters has written a realistic, dramatic story. Children of divorce will benefit from reading this book just as much as those who are products of a same-sex marriage. Hopefully, this and other stories by Peters will encourage readers to be more open-minded and more compassionate towards others.

Nick faces all the traditional challenges of growing up: school, girls, dealing with his family. But his family is anything but "traditional" --- Nick has two lesbian moms. When Nick is young, he doesn't realize anything is unusual; he loves his birth mom and Jo, and they love him. When he splits open his chin on the coffee table, Jo rushes him to the hospital for stitches. When they lounge in the backyard eating watermelon, they end up in a silly seed-spitting contest. But as soon as Nick starts school, he begins to realize that his family is different.

Nick's classmates pick up on his uniqueness right away, and the teasing begins as early as kindergarten. Some of his teachers even treat him differently, uncomfortable with his family situation. Nick doesn't have a lot of friends, but he deals with it. He finds a lot of his happiness at home with his music, his vast aquarium hobby, and his relationships with his moms, especially Jo. His birth mom tends to be a bit more practical, worrying about putting food on the table and paying the bills. But Jo is different. She's the one who cheers away his tears and takes him paintball shooting. She's the one who talks to him about important topics like sex and death, who teaches him to stand up for himself and respect others. Even though Jo didn't give birth to him (or even officially adopt him), she's his mom in every single way.

But life isn't always fun and games at home. Jo starts drinking too much, and it puts a big strain on the family. And then the three of them battle cancer together when Nick's birth mom is diagnosed with the disease. It may never be easy or traditional, but his family is Nick's whole world. And then one day his family starts to fall apart...

Julie Anne Peters has created an amazing story with BETWEEN MOM AND JO. The diverse characters have incredible personalities with multiple layers; they quickly become very real and relatable. The emotional depths visited in this special story will have readers both laughing and crying and everything in between. Many of the issues addressed are a bit touchy yet necessary as they are happening in our world. Very highly recommended for everyone, young people and adults alike.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman (author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND)

This was a wonderful book! It was beautifully written. The writer grabbed my attention by switching back and forth through time. I would recommend this book to everyone!

I enjoyed reading this story for the mystery and found the birthmother's story almost incidental to the plot. As a birthmother I appreciated the author's experience, but find that in my open adoption, I haven't experienced the same feelings.

However, everyone is entitled to their life experience. I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it if people read with an understanding that adoption has drastically changed over the years for the positive.

Set in the Wyoming of the late 1990s, and laced with memories of an earlier era, Burning Of The Marriage Hat: A Novel Of High Plains Women by Margaret Benshoof-Holler is the attention engaging story of a young woman who travels to lay her grandmother's ghost to rest, and to understand the genesis of her own ambivalence toward men. She learns of how women who became pregnant out of wedlock were once treated, and what it meant to come of age in Wyoming in the 1960s. A generational tale deftly written with penetrating insight, personality, and feeling, Burning Of The Marriage Hat is very highly recommended reading and would make an exceptional selection choice for women's reading groups.

I just don't buy the theory that Wyoming or Montana are truly as "narrow" as the author portrays. That is simply an excuse to hide behind. Montana and Wyoming have birthed a great number of strong women who managed to live through the perceived slights and do great things -- Jeannette Rankin for one.

As an adoptive mother, I appreciate the insight into the feelings of a birthmother, but I also did not appreciate the foreword which talked of the abuse of process in adoption. In MOntana, most adoptions remain performed through legitimate agencies with little cost to adoptive parents and very little in terms of attorneys fees. Additionally, the new wave for at least the past ten years has been open adoption which certainly should be promoted rather than continuing and berating the blight caused by the secrecy of old adoption practices. No wonder so many ill-equiped women continue to parent when the old practices are still advertised in this manner without any discussion of the realities of today's adoptions.

The Burning of The Marriage Hat is a compelling novel about growing up in the 60's in a middle class family in a small prairie town in Wyoming. It is a poignant story of the narrow-minded life style one encounters there, and the struggle to find answers. You can almost feel the prairie wind whipping against your legs as you read.This spell-binding novel begs to be read in one sitting.

This is an exceptional book for kids in foster care. It is good for children in the elementary school years.

This is a story of disappointment and reconciliation for a little girl placed in foster care and the dog who is unapproachable until she finds just the right place to touch him. It teaches the reader to grasp the perspective of a child who cannot live with her parents. The book touches at the heart of every person's emotions, big or small. It is a well-written book with exceptional illustrations that speak to all children. This book offers ways for the child to relate to the protagonist's emotions of anger, sadness, hope, and disappointment. It is equally appropriate for adults who work with children living without their parents. Alcoholism, shelter living, and feelings of displacement are handled with great aptitude. It is ideal for teaching school-age kids about all types of families, including non-traditional models.

Finding the Right Spot has a double meaning in this superb book of the same name. It is a story of disappointment and reconciliation for a little girl placed in foster care and the dog who is unapproachable until she finds just the right place to touch him. Geared towards ages 6 through 12, Finding the Right Spot by Janice Levy teaches the reader to grasp the perspective of a child who cannot live with her parents.

Whatever the reason for the child's placement in a home outside his or her own, this book offers ways for the child to relate to the protagonist's emotions of anger, sadness, hope, and disappointment. It is equally appropriate for adults who work with children living without their parents.

"She's not coming," the little girl says as she waits and waits for her alcoholic mother to arrive at her birthday party. The grave disappointment she experiences reinforces the reason she is not with her mother. In another section, her foster mother, Aunt Dane, allows her to pound the pizza dough until the house shakes. In the book, the little girl is allowed to show her anger and confusion.

Alcoholism, shelter living, and feelings of displacement are handled with great aptitude. The book touches at the heart of every person's emotions, big or small. Finding the Right Spot is a well-written book with exceptional illustrations that speak to all children. A helpful guide at the end, written by Jennifer Wilgocki, M.S. and Marcia Kahn Wright, Ph.D., breaks down the text into digestible parts for the adult reader. Finding the Right Spot is ideal for teaching school-age kids about all types of families, including non-traditional models.

I highly recommend this book for its approach to foster care living both for children and for the people who care for them.

Christine Louise Hohlbaum is an American author living near Munich. Diary of a Mother (2003), SAHM I Am (2005), and "American Housewife Abroad" at AnotherChapter.com are among her most recent works...

I anticipated a book that would capture the attention of elementary-age children who had been through traumtic situations-- this book did not accomplish that goal. Many of the concepts were good, however the book was not easy for my clients to follow. I was looking for a book that would also apply to children in homes of relatives not just in foster care. I was disappointed. A certified trauma consultant/licensed social worker.

We have a family member's child in our care and this was exactly what we've been looking for. She can see that she is not alone and her feelings are real and okay. She reads this book a lot and talks about it with her therapist on a regular basis. We all recommend it for any child (or family) going through a forced separation from their parents, whether short or long term, or unknown length of time.

I really enjoyed the book You Wish. It is about a kid named Benjamin Bartholomew Piff who lost his parents when he was a little boy. Ben lives in an orphanage and is not treated nicely. For example, Ben has to clean
out the cook's moldy pots with a toothbrush every day. The book is also about Ben's new friend, Thomas Candlewick, who works at a magical place called Wishworks. Wishworks is where wishes are granted. If you follow all of the rules your wish will come true. The rules are: 1) your eyes must be shut, 2) all of the candles have to be blown out in one breath, and 3) you cannot tell anyone what you wished for. My favorite part
of this book was when Benjamin Piff has to go fight Curseworks
factory. That is why I think this book is a five star book and I think
that anyone who likes magic and adventure would love this book.

This book is incredible! I can see myself championing Benjamin like I do Harry! I hear that the author has the second and third book in the series due out in July and October. Ben is clever and the story is very compelling. I can't wait for the second one! I am glad this book came out just in time because the 7th HP book is coming out July 21st! Woot! Can't Wait! This series will keep me going now. I think a good description of this book would be a Harry Potter meets Willy Wonka type story. Benjamin wishes for unlimited wishes and adheres to all of the secret "wishing rules" and the Wishworks factory goes into a frenzy trying to grant his requests! I think this series has the potential to be huge!

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff

Everything is bright and normal in Benjamin Bartholomew Piff's life until that terrible day when his parents are killed in a plane crash. There are no other relatives for him to live with, so he is put into Pinch's Home for Wayward Boys, "a dilapidated orphanage converted from a windowless industrial building that once produced dental tools."

There are several things wrong with this setup for 11-year old Benjamin: 1) He is not "wayward"; 2) There is nothing home-like about the place; and 3) He hates it. In addition, the awful orphanage chef, Solomon Roach, always seems to be punishing Benjamin for something, and Eliza Pinch's "perfume smelled of an old cat box." Eliza is the head of the orphanage and an old spinster who doesn't like children and is bent on making his life miserable. The one very bright spot in Benjamin's sad life is a little stray terrier dog he call Rags. Of course pets are not allowed, so Benjamin is forced to sneak away for short times to feed small scraps to his little friend.

Benjamin also has a plan. The old gardener at the orphanage, Mr. Kunkel, has been giving Benjamin quarters for helping out with little things. It's Mr. Kunkel who has allowed Benjamin to keep his puppy in an old doghouse on the property. But the nice old man has been fired. Now Benjamin visits Rags and keeps his little bag of saved quarters hidden away. His plan is going fine until one evening when Ms. Pinch catches him sneaking out of the doghouse. That's the end of his money, and Benjamin is losing hope fast.

So who would have guessed that when the social worker drops off a birthday cake for Benjamin, who completely forgot about the big day, his life would completely change? And what kind of birthday wish does he make? Why, just what every kid would wish for in his situation --- that he would be granted all the wishes he could ever want! Suddenly everything is different: Mr. Roach is waiting on him, Ms. Pinch adores him, he's ordering big screen televisions, computer games, ice cream, candy and all sorts of goodies to make himself and the boys totally happy at the orphanage. WOW! This is the way life should always be!

But there's not much happiness in the world of Wishworks. Benjamin's wishes are throwing everything into chaos; if he doesn't stop, then something really terrible is going to happen. Thomas Candlewick, who is about to become the new leader of Wishworks, is on high alert when Benjamin's disastrous birthday wish becomes known. With the assistance of flying chairs, fairies, genies and an assortment of other strange little characters, Mr. Candlewick realizes that they must pay Benjamin a visit before greater disaster strikes.

This is where Benjamin's story gets even more fun, because he is transported to the Wishworks world and is soon engaged in a battle against Curseworks (a group determined to take over Wishworks and all the good things they do). Lots of action ensues, and Benjamin must overcome many fears and make some extremely difficult decisions.

One of the great charms found in Jason Lethcoe's book is the addition of many delightful, informative footnotes from the world of Wishworks. Explanations are given for word definitions, histories and characters. For instance, what exactly is a Thaumaturgic Cardioscope, or when and where did Wishworks originate? Characters are given creative names like Wolfgang Warblegrunt (the founder of Wishworks historical library) and Leonardo Snifflewiffle (past president of Wishworks). A wonderful map is provided, an appendix of past presidents of Wishworks is attached and lighthearted illustrations by the author himself are scattered throughout.

Benjamin's misadventures are just beginning, so readers can look forward to more stories in future installments. Younger fans of Harry Potter-like fantasies will be sure to want this book on their shelves.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

I enjoyed this light adventure. It had many fun and entertaining characters and adventures. I especially liked the part about forgiveness.
Looking forward to the next Misadventures of Ben..
Shirley

***1/2

Ever since his parents died in a tragic accident, poor Ben has been stuck at Pinch's Home for Wayward Boys, scrubbing pots and eating mush and other normal orphanage-type stuff. He even forgot his birthday, until a kind friend brings him a cake. When he sneaks a slice to eat, he stares thoughtfully at the candle a moment. Finally he closes his eyes, blows, and makes a wish. Little does he know that his wish could change the whole world.

This was a fun, cute book that I zipped right through. The characters were disappointingly flat, but the plot was inventive and the story over-all engaging. A light read that young children who enjoy "wishes-go-wrong" stories are sure to enjoy.

I loved this book! It is a must read for anyone going through the adoption process or thinking about it. I have shared this book with several friends and they all enjoyed it.

I have read many accounts of international adoption, and this is by far the best! Carmen accurately recounts his steps in China, with his wife, Trish, during their journey to adopt little Victoria. This is a funny, accurate, heart-rending tale in which the heroes (the Tartavita family) actually WIN!! I would recommend this story to any one, especially one from a family considering an adoption from China!

This book really touched my heart and is a must have for anyone who has ever thought about adopting. There were times when I laughed out loud and times when I cried. The author did an excellent job of revealing the adoption process and emotions he felt.

I have already recommended this book to several friends and relatives.

The content of this book is probably ok. I was really disapointed with it as I have been to Nanchang and was really looking forward to someone elses experience of the city and of course their adoption process. The problem I have with it is that it is very badly written. I realise that being a writer is not this guys job but how it was printed like this is beyond me. I can get over grammatical mistakes and bad punctuation to a point. This book is written so badly that at times it is very difficult to get the meaning of sentances. The author changes tenses mid paragraph while talking about the same moment of time. Two stars for effort and putting the story down on paper.

This book is fantastic, and a must have for anyone who has ever been involved with the adoption of a child (or) a fan of Non-Fiction.

Tartivita (the author) is masterful with his clever combination of facts and emotions. His frequent injections of classy humor make the book impossible to put down.

After reading this book, I wrote the author directly, and asked him if he would sign my copy. I couldn't believe it. He responded quickly, and was exceptionally cordial. A true class act!

Although I never give books as a gift to any friends or family, this masterpiece changed my philosophy on book-giving. I'm giving this book to many friends and family, and highly recommend!!!!!

Carmello Tartivita you are a genius!!!! I'll stand in line for his next book, and hope it's out soon!!

As the Executive Director of an adoption agency, I see many adoption books throughout the year, and One Wonderful You stood out as exceptional in many ways. The messages it imparts are vital - knowing the story of your adoption, and presenting birth parents in a positive light. I particularly like the fact that the simple line drawings can be colored in by the children. I encourage my families to have the children color in pictures of birth parents to resemble themselves - as this helps the children to understand why their physical features are sometimes different from those of their parents. I highly recommend this book to all adoptive parents, as its theme is fundamental: "It takes two families to make One Wonderful You".

I believe that MS Portnoy tells it like it is. I felt that any adopted person would read the book and say "that makes sense", and maybe understand the process a little better. The illustrator did a great job in conveying the message through pictures. I have purchased this book for several people, relatives and friends that have been involved with adoption and so far everyone has loved it. I hope that Ms Portnoy follows up with additional books. Thank you.

This is the first book,written for children and their parents that put in the most simplest terms how special it is to be chosen and adopted. It help the child see the importance of both the adopted parents and biological parents,and the connection that he/she has with both. This book should be on every adopted child's book shelf. It makes the introducing the word "adoption" easy and understandable for the child. I commend the author for her empathy of the subject of adoption.

A lovely book that discusses very simply that the adoptive child is not chosen, but placed and often the birthfamily makes the choice. Also discusses that elusive term parenting in ways a child can understand, to teach them, hold them, change them, drive them to lessons and games, the meat and potatoes of daily life that a child can understand how much work being a parent is. The book is reassuring about the adoption process and shows what is genetic, like physical and personality characteristics, but there are few examples as to what the adoptive parents provide, an address, a name, family traditions and religion. Considering how hard parenting is, the adoptive parents do not seem to be providing much and come off worse for the comparision. A great concept, but leaves this adoptive parent cold.

I found this book to be a delight to share with our child in simple and easy to read format. Even in an older child adoption, our child has many questions we may never be able to answer. The author has provided the adoption story in an easy to discuss manner that will continue to help us during the adoption journey. The illustrations are simple and amusing, without detracting from the story.

Throughout its first half, Pagan's Father simmers along quite nicely. Then, as the novel charges toward its final pages, it becomes a gut-churning, all-out potboiler, a story as outrageous and difficult to put down as its politely mannered preamble is to find quibbles with. In the opening sections, British author Michael Arditi (The Celibate) crisply and efficiently etches the difficult - but none too shocking - case of a gay London talk show host, Leo Young, who, after raising a young girl - Pagan - along with the child's biological mother, is threatened with the removal of the child from his custody. The threat comes when the mother dies of a prolonged illness and her previously estranged septuagenarian parents resurface, hoping to spirit away their grandchild. The snippety, snobby grandparents at first seem presented as particularly crusty stereotypes. Arditi's chronicle pleasantly, if predictably, ping-pongs as Leo's custody of Pagan is won, lost, challenged again and so forth. The action bubbles with topicality: sexual orientation, single parenthood, gender roles, and - most interestingly - media interference in personal lives. The latter is given a particularly smart twist here, since Leo himself is - while not quite a celebrity - a bonafide public figure. Arditi even includes editorial essays 'written by Leo' on gay rights in general and on gay parenting. Socially-conscious readers will be moved along by the author's pleasant polemicizing. They will cozy up to the appealing character of Leo. They will be filled with a warm, simmering feeling. And then all Hell boils over. While the first half of Pagan's Father is the mild literary equivalent of potpourri on the stove, it also lulls readers senses before throwing them into the seething cauldron that follows. Scenes of relative domestic bliss - in both Leo and the granparents' households - are blackened by accusations of sexual child abuse that begin to fly from both sides. Is Leo so intent on custody of Pagan that he is willing to make such charges on specious evidence? What are readers won over to sweet Leo to make of his fantasy-fueled attempt to kidnap the child and flee to the continent to escape British authorities. Arditi toys with our resistance to tabloid stereotypes, leading us to gnaw at the pages in genuine suspense, sometimes even prompting us to believe that we have been putty in the hands of perhaps unreliable narrator Leo. There is also a remarkable supporting cast in the book's back end: a dotty former aristocrat, a wheelchair-bound secret informer, a pathetically lecherous old man and a transexual with a shocking revelation. One could call it a soap opera but for the fact that Arditi has given heft and reality to every superficially outrageous bubble. At the center of it all, of course, is a tormented little seven-year-old ripped between two homes and two senses of identity. Arditi wisely chooses not to try seeing the world through a child's eyes and, particularly when Pagan gives cryptic intimations that she may have been abused, the reader must suffer with the same sense of furious, frustrated uncertainty shared by the girl's guardians and by the courts that deal with her cases. As Pagan's Father moves from politesse toward pulp, it takes on a feverish urgency. Michael Arditi starts out by presenting compelling issues, he ends up offering a compelling story as well.

A surprisingly powerful novel. The author manages to overcome a difficult mode of narration (an ongoing conversation with a dead friend and multiple flashbacks), a topic easily accused of over-earnestness and PC-propriety, and some rather excessively ogreish villains to tell a heart-wrenching and unforgettable story in beautiful, poetic and evocative prose. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the subject matter (gay parenting) or fond of a literary, humanistic take on human emotions and personalities. Particularly successful at describing the complex personality of the narrator's dead friend, a difficult and not necessary particularily likeable woman, whom he nevertheless loves deeply, and at convincingly portraying a child's emotional response to the tragic events that befall her: the death of her mother, a bitter and acrimonius custody battle, and sexual abuse. The book's main flaw is the portrayal of the grandparents, who try take custody of Pagan away from the gay friend of her mother, as the blackest of villains unredeemed by any touch of humanity. The argument for a gay person's suitability to parent a child is weakened when the only "straight" alternative is so unpalatable. And conversely, Leo, the gay man in question, is portrayed as an incredibly and perhaps unrealistically good and selfless person, blessed with every material advantage, too. Again, if that is what it takes to be allowed to be a gay parent in public opinion, than we have a long way to go yet....

Just finished reading this book. Kind of long at 400 pages, but a good read. I'm not a person who usually reads books this long either! It's about a little girl named Pagan. When Pagan's mother dies, she is entrusted to the care of her mother's best friend Leo, who happens to be gay. When Pagan's grandparents find out about the arrangement they wage a battle for Pagan, and you will just have to read the book to find out the rest. I liked it enormously.

"Pagan's Father," the story of a gay man's struggle to keep the little girl he has grown to love, is an enjoyable novel. However it was somewhat hampered by several problems I had in reading the story. The novel is written in the present tense, in the form of a letter to Pagan's dead mother, Candida. This grew to be confusing because of the repeated switches in the time period. Many time I was confused about what was going on. Also, I think the book at 400 plus pages was too long. It could have easily been cut down 100 pages or so without losing any of the story. Despite its short-comings, I enjoyed the novel a great deal and thought it had a very good plot and it was compelling enough for me to read in two sittings

Pagan's Father is the best book I've read in quite a long time. It made me cry, laugh, rage with anger, and gave me insomnia! I couldn't put this book down, and devoured it in three days. The only reason why I give it a 9 instead of a 10 is because the author flips back and forth between the past and the present and it was a bit hard to get used it. Other than that, I'd recommend this book to anyone

I was one of the lucky stories in this book. We adopted Klondike, a cream Chow from Alabama. This book was so touching. I am so glad there are good people in the world like this and I am glad that the writer was able to write about it.

This is a great book for the holidays. What could be better than reading about dogs who made it out of shelters and puppy mills and got the homes they deserved all along. The stories are short so the book fits a lot of "happy tails" between its covers. Petfinder has been revolutionary in getting so many dogs rescued and it's great to read some of their "alumni" stories. One quibble is that they do not include photos for most of the dogs. The key to Petfinder's success is people can see the dogs and make a connection. I don't know why the author didn't include pictures for all the dogs so you could see the animal behind the story.

These stories are inspiring and encouraging that there really are "second chances" for so many in need of a second home! Legible print, easy reading: wish there were more photos! An excellent collection of heart-warming pets 'N people!

In these heartwarming stories, Joan Banks has captured the love folks have for their pets. She's interviewed shelter workers, rescue workers, and pet owners to give a complete picture of the life of the dogs that have been adopted through [...]. Any pet owner will love this book.

This book is an encouraging story of the many pets lost through Hurricane Katrina and other ways. Animals are reunited with their human 'pets' and there are happy endings galore.

A very nice chapter book for young readers about a cat who discovers that her purpose is to run a lighthouse and save sailors from the rocky shores.
However, the story focuses on more than just the lighthouse, it focuses on how the cat, Pandora, finds friends and a family as the sea brings to her what she had given up for it.

We love all of Cynthia Rylant's books and series of books, and The Lighthouse Family series is our new favorite! We are anxious to read the next book as soon as it comes out so we can know what happens to Pandora the cat, Seabold the dog and their three little mice children. Rylant uses wonderful words in her books, painting a beautiful story of words. (the illustrations in this book are beautiful too!) This is for a little older readers than her Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, or Little Whistle series, ALL of which I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

The Storm introduces us to a new book series by Cynthis Rylant, one of my favorite children's authors. We are introduced to Seabold, a seafaring loner (and a dog), the cat Pandora, a lonely keeper of the lighthouse, and three mouse orphans. The text is melodic and never overwrought. The story is sweet, and though filled with virtue it is not moralistic. By the end of the book my son and I wanted to live with the lighthouse family, and share in their new life together. A sweet book, that I read to him, but equally appropriate for a mid-level independent reader. I would think the age group anywhere from 5-10 depending on who is doing the reading, an adult or the child herself.

The is the first book I have read my Rylant. Being a fan of lighthouses and children's books, I had to check this one out once I saw the cover. I was very impressed. The story is about 2 lonely animals,an adorable sheepdog and kitty cat, who love the sea and develop a deep friendship. They decide to tend a lighthouse together. The illustrations are some of the best I have seen in kids' books. This is definitely a cozy read for bedtime.

"The Storm" by Cynthia Rylant is one of the most joyful stories a writer could ever put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to write. Finding Preston McDaniels to illustrate is probably a sign from heaven that this book was meant to be. It is perfect. That simple: "The Storm" is perfect. Because this is a ready-for-chapters book, a beginning reader has the story to practice reading skills. As a bonus, the story is didactic in teaching that solitude comes with a price and that friendship heals loneliness. Even if the young reader does not understand these concepts on a conscious level, surely the subconscious makes that registration.

The adult cannot miss the themes of solitude and friendship and what each bring. This is one of those books that I would like to stand in the foyer of Wal-Mart and hand out to everyone who leaves. Rylant has a soft touch, a magical way with words that go straight to the heart.

In children's books animals are often the characters. Why, you may ask? Studies explain the psychological use and also why they dress as humans. The first main character is Pandora, a cat who has accepted the loneliness that goes with living in a lighthouse, but her sole purpose in life is saving ships from crashing on the rocks. Enter Seabold, a loner dog who loves to sail the seas, who finds safe harbor one stormy night in the seas near Pandora's lighthouse. A dog and a cat living in the same house is difficult at first. He is a salty, crusty old dog, she is neat and tidy, a follower of rules. Their family is made complete with the rescue of three little mice.

Think of it: how incongruous it is that three such disparate sets of persons could make a happy home, but they do. This statement may be a spoiler, but it is not. It is not the make up of the family that this story is about; rather, it is about love and acceptance and kindness and generosity of spirit. Mostly, it is about the magic of love in transforming people, in making them human.

See what I mean. This book needs to be handed out at Wal-Mart. Pay it forward, make the world better. Another of Rylant's magically worded books is "Missing May," a Newbury Award winner. "The Storm" is the first in her Lighthouse Family series. Very highly recommended!

This is a book based on real life experiences. The author is an adoptive parent himself who recounts for the reader the emotions of an unwed mother and a childless couple, both before and after adoption takes place. It is a realistic look at the highs and lows of those involved in the process, the love at the center of giving and receiving the newborn, and the happy ending for all. Charmingly painted by the author from personal photographs, this is a wonderful book for children and adults alike, one of particular value to those adopting or considering adopting. A must read!

Wayne Willis, This Is How We Became a Family (Magination Press, 2000)

I've been reading a lot of kids' books about adoption recently, getting them out of the library and trying to figure out which ones we want to buy for our own kid. This is the most recent of them, and while I admire what it sets out to do, there's something off in how it goes about doing it.

The book presents its situation in straightforward language, but it seems almost cold, informative but distant; the language is age-appropriate (this is aimed at the preschool set), but the tone isn't in some way I can't quite define. While I can't say that underinvesting the language in emotion is worse than overinvesting same (quite the opposite, in fact), this one seems to go a bit too far in the right direction, if that makes any sense. And, to be technical about it, the pictures (photorealistic, but with a primitive streak) creep me out. I doubt they'd have that effect on a kid, but who's going to be reading the book to the kid, eh?

I'd suggest getting this one out of the library and giving it a going-over first if you're thinking about buying it. ** ½

If you adopted your child through domestic adoption, and the birth mother was a young unwed mother- then this is the story for you. It gives a brief overview of both sides of the story- very good for opening the field for questions from your child. The only part that I did not like was how it said how the parents "cired, cried, cried" because they could not give birth to their own child, and the birth mother "cried, cried, cried" because of her situation. This does not take away from the rest of the story however.

Every journey undertaken by adoptive parents pre- and post-adoption is unique and interesting to read about, and this book is no exception. All adoptive parents can relate to the highs and lows the author and his wife experienced until the happy day arrived and the family was formed. The paintings are lovely, especially that of his daughter on the swing. I am happy for the Willis's and for all adoptive parents who have a similarly happy ending to their journey.
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

What a wonderful book! Every attorney who handles private adoption should give this book to new parents. Any obstetrician's office where a child is making important decisions about her own life and that of a baby she is carrying would do well to make this resource available. My husband and I are giving a copy to all of our family members who have adopted. We have also checked to be sure that the local crisis pregnancy center has a copy. The book can be used on so many levels. In addition to those listed on the fly-leaf, I think it could be very useful in helping the young friends of adopted children understand one way that families can be made. Dr. Willis' artwork is also very expressive, and supports his words in such a way that enables the story to be told in an easy-to-understand manner. His characters' faces and body language do as much to show their sadness and joy as any of the written text. The painting of his daughter on her swing makes a great concluding statement that assures Dr. Willis' readers that indeed this family will live "as happily ever after as 'ever after' ever really is."