Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
WeAreGoodkin.com says Tribute Books has 2 Great Book about Adoption
August 19, 2010
2 Great Books About Adoption
by Adrienne Breaux
We all know that adoption is a valid and important way in which many people create families. Sometimes it's adopting children or babies domestically or internationally, and sometimes it's by adopting a new pet, like a cat or a dog. Chances are you know someone either in your family or through a friend or coworker who’s life has been touched by adoption. The stories are always unique, touching and we love hearing every one of them.
This month we kept our eyes and ears open for any stories about adoption that were particularly inspiring, and were delighted when we were contacted by the folks at Tribute Books. Long known for publishing and promoting books with wonderful messages, they had two book suggestions for this month’s theme on adoption, and we highly recommend you check them out.
The first book we’d like to tell you about is Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy with Autism & His Shelter Dog by Sandra Gerencher. In this easy-to-read book, Gerencher writes from an interesting perspective, Chance, the 4-month-old Rottweiler German Shepherd mix that is adopted to be a companion to Ryan, who is also adopted and living with Autism. You read about Chance coming home to live with the mom, the son and the household’s other doggie friends.
You read about how Chance had to get settled in, learn the lay of the land and get to know everyone. You really get a sense of what it must be like for an adopted dog coming into a strange new environment through Gerencher’s captivating descriptions. Soon, images of the day-to-day life of this family make way for more serious topics like how Ryan came to be adopted. Don’t be fooled by the narrator being a dog; the story isn’t told in a simplistic way, rather an easy to digest and rich way, full of detail, care and interest. Lighthearted, yes, but you’ll find yourself both enjoying the book and learning from it, as well. Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy With Autism and his Shelter Dog sells for $11.07 on amazon.com.
The next book we’d like to recommend is Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption, by Andrea Nepa. Eight-year-old Leah was born in September of 2001 in a Vietnamese hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Adopted by Andrea and her husband David from the orphanage as an infant, Leah and her new family live in Haddonfield, NJ. This children’s fiction book is written by Andrea to help parents who have adopted, kids who are adopted and everyone in between understand just what adoption is, and how a loving, caring family can come from adoption.
The journey of adoption—anyone who has ever undertaken adopting a child will understand that it really is a journey—is told through a metaphor of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a flower family. Seeds are planted, blooms grow, plants thrive—and all this great word imagery is surrounded by beautiful illustrations. It’s simple and lovely, and understood by children of many ages and adults alike. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this book will go to Paul’s Kids, a Vietnamese orphanage charity. You can purchase your own lovely copy of Red in the Flower Bed from Amazon.com for $11.65.
What books, poems or websites have helped you and your family understand and explore the topic of adoption? We would love to hear your recommendations.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A Mom After God's Own Heart review
Red In The Flower Bed: Book Review
The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place - exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book's loving approach helps children to understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy.
Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter: "For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places." In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Email Andrea at: andreanepa@tribute-books.com
Visit Andrea's web site at: www.redintheflowerbed.com
My Review:
The first thing that caught my attention about Red In The Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Book About International Adoption was just how beautifully it is illustrated! I love the use of fabric and other mediums, along with the technique of collage and all the bright colors. This reminded me of Eric Carle's work a lot. This book is a very quick read and children of all ages will enjoy it immensely. The message that love can grow anywhere, regardless of us all being different is a powerful one, and such an important message to teach to children. As an adopted child myself, I was very impressed with this book, and it is by far one of the best I have seen, in recent years, to explain the concept of adoption to children. I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!
BUY IT: You can purchase Red In The Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Book About International Adoption online, directly from Tribute Books.
WIN IT: One (1) Reader will win a Ebook copy of this book
TO ENTER: Head over to Tribute Books and tell me one other book you would love to read
GIVEAWAY OPEN TO WORLDWIDE ENTRIES
GIVEAWAY ENDS JUNE 28, 2010
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
***Thank you to Tribute Books and Mom Relations providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog***
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wee Share reviews "Red in the Flower Bed"
May 28, 2010
Review & Giveaway: Red in the Flower Bed Children's eBook
by Desi
Raileigh and I love to read together. She has quite an extensive collection of books. Some have been passed down from Darren and I, and some we have purchased just for her. There is something so amazing about curling up with my daughter and reading. She listens closely, sometimes chiming in to share something that she sees in the illustrations. I ask her questions as we go and she excitedly answers them. It is so rewarding to see her learning as we read together.
Until recently, I had not really experienced an eBook. In fact, I was not all that excited to try one. Maybe I am old fashioned, but I love the feel of the pages between my fingers as I read through the book. I like that I can take a book anywhere and get lost in it's pages. I also like the look of bookcases filled to the brim with books to read.
However, when Nicole at Tribute books contacted me about reviewing some of their children's books in eBook form, I decided to give it a try. Raileigh was napping, so I browsed through the books myself. I enjoyed sitting at the computer, taking in the short, but very delightful children's titles that Nicole had sent over.
When Raileigh awoke, I decided to try out one of the stories with her- Red in the Flower Bed. I let her sit in the computer chair, which she was very excited about. She tries to often, but I usually make her get down (she likes to delete emails). I told Raileigh that we were going to read a book on the computer. Slowly, I scrolled through the pages of the story and read her the delightful, rhyming text. She pointed out things she recognized in the illustrations as we read.
It was a very different experience than reading an actual book, but we both really enjoyed it. One thing that I really like is that there are no pages that can be ripped or torn. We are trying to teach Raileigh how to care for books, and usually, she does a good job. There are times, though, when she can be a little rough. The great thing about an eBook is that is in that new, pristine condition every time you read it.
I also like that it changes things up a bit for Raileigh. It is always good to have new experiences and do things a little differently, and reading is no exception. I think as we continue to read eBooks, I am going to start teaching her how to use the mouse to scroll. I know she is going to enjoy that!
eBooks are also considerably cheaper than an actual book. I am sure you can see why! Plus, eBooks don't take up all the room in your house that a normal book does. I know we are getting to the point where we need to pass on some old books before acquiring any new ones. So, I really can appreciate the lack of space that an eBook takes up!
Now that I have told you all about our overall experience with eBooks, let me tell you a little about the actual story we read. Red in the Flower Bed is written and illustrated by Andrea Nepa. This delightful story tells the story the story of interracial adoption through the use of imagery.
Synopsis (as taken from the Tribute Books website)
The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place - exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book's loving approach helps children to understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy.
My Thoughts
Initially, I was drawn to the beautiful illustrations. They were simple, yet vivid and breathtaking. I love how easily the text flows, as the rhyming words tell the story. Raileigh, I know, did not understand the imagery the story represented. However, the imagery in relation to interracial adoptions was very well done. For a child who is yet too young to understand, it still tells a lovely story of a seed who is wandering around looking for a place to grow.
The story also touches on the changing of seasons as the seed experiences rain, snow, and falling leaves. The illustrations show this perfectly. The story shows the seed traveling on each page until it finds a home. Raileigh thought the poppy seed was a ball, so this gave me the opportunity to share with her about seeds.
The story is written on a level that children can understand. It is the perfect way to teach kids about what adoption is and how beautiful families of all kinds are. I also think it would be wonderful to share with a child who has been adopted. To make them feel like a beautiful flower would surely make the child feel special!
I am so excited to tell you that Nicole at Tribute Books is doing a giveaway here at Wee Share! One lucky reader will receive a copy of the eBook Red in the Flower Bed.
Mandatory Entry (Must be done before any extra entries will qualify)
Please visit Tribute Books. Leave a comment on this post telling us a book that you would love to read from them.
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Giveaway is open to worldwide residents. Giveaway will close June 11, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.
Friday, April 30, 2010
BlogCritics Review
April 30, 2010
Book Review - Red in the Flower Bedby Regis Schilken
This delightful children’s story might need a bit of interpretation before a child would understand it as a story of interracial adoption. But this could be a plus for Red in the Flower Bed because it forces a child and a loving caregiver not only to read the poem, but to talk about the meaning of the words and the artwork.
Red in the Flower Bed begins when a tiny seed drops to the ground where the soil is far too dry for the seed to sprout and grow. Luckily, nature’s wind picks up the poppy seed and carries it away to a better place. Seasons change as the tiny seed is tossed about. At last, the wind drops the seed in a "patch that I think will match."
Nearby plants look on wondering what kind of flower this new seed in their midst will become. Intermixed with falling rain, they watch the sun warm the garden plot. In due time, the seed begins to grow roots strong enough to support its tall stem.
At last, in all its crimson glory, a beautiful poppy flower blooms. It no longer feels alone because loving flowering friends surround it. The poppy feels happy and loved. Best of all, it adds a bright red color to enhance the garden’s rainbow of colors.
The rhyme in Red in the Flower Bed is not trite. Children would probably enjoy reading the poem many times because they like repetitious rhyme. It is easy to remember and helps early readers recognize new words.
Although it is comforting to see how this seed finally found a new home amongst flowers of many different colors, a caregiver might have to draw out the similarity between that seed finding a new home and an adopted child finding a new loving home in a family with a different racial background.
The story is quite fun to read, even for adults; and the artwork seems appropriate for the tale. Hopefully Andrea Nepa will write more books to help children understand the problems they face.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Marvelous Mom Reviews - "Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Book about Interracial Adoption"
March 22, 2010
Review - Red in the Flower Bedby Mimi B.
To be honest, I don't believe I've ever read a book on adoption. We don't know anyone with adopted kids and I guess it's never crossed my mind to read this type of book. Now, on the other hand, I know there are so many families out there looking for great books to share about adoption with their child or a family they know.
I'd love to share with you a book that pertains to this very idea. Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa is a great way to demonstrate how adoption occurs. A baby (or a seed) is born from one mommy and is blessed by living with a new mommy and daddy as well as other family members.
The reader follows a seed as it journeys from it's mommy, who is a Poppy, to a new garden full of other flowers. The little seed doesn't just appear in the new garden, it takes time and this colorful and joyful travels of this sweet seed is inspiring!
When the little seed makes it to the garden where she will grow, she is fully welcomed by all the different flowers surrounding it. The poppy seed blooms into a beautiful poppy in a garden filled with sweet peas, snapdragons and other flowers.
If you know someone who has adopted or is adopting, Red in the Flower Bed would be a wonderful book to have as they share the story of where their precious child came from!
The Practical Mom Guide's review
March 23, 2010
Review - Red in the Flower Bedby Joy Warfsman
Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story About Interracial Adoption was written by Andrea Nepa who is herself an adoptive parent. It tells the story of a poppy seed that is carried by the wind to its new home amid a garden of flowers. The story tells how the poppy seed grows roots and blooms. Nepa has not discounted the emotional element to this analogy about adoption. I like that she mentions how the poppy shed tears when the seed went away and how happy the garden flowers were at the new arrival and how excited they were to see who the little seed would become. The little poppy seed ended up exactly where she was supposed to be.
This book is listed for children ages 9-12 but I can see it being read to younger children. It is a beautiful story book and a good way to introduce the concept of adoption to younger children. The illustrations with the various patterns are well crafted and reminiscent of scenes from a scrapbook.