Super Mommy to the Rescue review

Super Mommy to the Rescue
December 5, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed - Review
by Stacie Lewin

Red In The Flower Bed – is a very beautifully illustrated book about interracial adoption. The story just blends beautifully. Really there is no boundaries in adoption. Color doesn’t matter as families blend together. It’s the love that is given and the acceptance that is felt just like in this story. Even though the flowers were different in colors they were happy to be a family. I felt that this children’s story was very comforting. I love how the story started out with just the seeds and the seeds were carried by the wind to find a perfect spot where they could bloom and shine. The illustrations in this book go beautifully with the story and I love all the colors in it.

If you would like to purchase this book you can buy it HERE.

Freebie Spot review

Freebie Spot
December 4, 2010

"Red in the Flower Bed" by Andrea Nepa (Blog Tour)
by Jenny

Red in the Flower Bed is a wonderful children’s book about interracial adoption. The story is about a little, black poppy flower seed that had to move on and find a better home because the ground was too dry. The little seed ends up finding a home amongst the roses, violets, and marigolds, and as it grows, the garden gets more and more beautiful. I love the illustrations in this book as well as the font used. Everything flows together very well. If you have a young, adopted, interracial child, I highly recommend this book. It is very cute, sentimental, and heartwarming.

Bookingly Yours review

Bookingly Yours
December 4, 2010

Blog Tour: Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
by Jenai

Rating:
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

My thoughts:

Red in the Flower Bed is a book about interracial adoption.

This tells the story of a seed dropped from a poppy flower that travels to places until it found its new home. The author, Andrea Nepa made a great illustration of adoption in this story book.

The colours are perfect, and i liked the way the story is told - through a rhyme which children can appreciate better. The book is recommended to children 4 to 8 years old. A must read with your adopted child.

Literary R&R review

Literary R&R
December 4, 2010

Blog Tour & Review: Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
by Mandy Shemery

The book is absolutely precious. I love the rhymes and the use of the flowers metaphor to represent the author's daughter. It is a lovely children's story.

The artwork was refreshing and wonderful as well. Instead of being actual drawn illustrations, they looked more like what you would see in a scrapbook; which ignites that feeling of warm memories and things that should be remembered and cherished.

To preview the book, you may click here. You may also visit Tribute Books' website, Twitter page and/or Facebook page. You can also visit this book's blog by clicking here where all of the blog tour hosts are being featured.

Happy Reading! =)I was contacted by Tribute Books inquiring if I would like to host a stop on the blog tour for this book. Being a supporter of adoption, I agreed.

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer review

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
December 3, 2010

Blog Tour: Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
by Kathy Habel

This is an adorable book and would be the perfect gift for someone who is involved in an adoption. A new seed can't grow where it it is at so the wind carries it to fertile ground where it is able to thrive. Beautiful illustrations and simple text make this a book for all ages.

A Catholic Mother's Thoughts review

A Catholic Mother's Thoughts
December 3, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Story about Interracial Adoption
by Rosemary Bogdan

Tribute Books has asked me to write a review of the children's book Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Story about Interracial Adoption by Andrea Nepa. And so I give you the following:

In 2001 Andrea Nepa adopted a little girl, Leah, from Vietnam. It is to this daughter Leah that Andrea has dedicated her book. "For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places."

Red in the Flower Bed is a sweet book. The story is a simple one of a seed in a faraway place which is dropped by a flower onto dry ground. The flower, realizing the ground is too dry, allows the wind to transport it to a garden that is especially right for it. The seed germinates and grows into a beautiful red poppy, delighting all the other flowers with its new and different color. The daisy exclaims, "There is now red in the flower bed. And best of all, look down the row...We have a complete rainbow."

A lovely metaphor for the international and interracial adoption process, the story is told in simple rhyme that could be easily understood by even a young child.

The endearing illustrations and lovely message of hope and Providence make this a suitable book for children of all ages.

I almost wish the subtitle had not been added. It is, of course, important to the author as it is indeed a symbolization of the story of Leah's adoption. But the message could have an even broader appeal. It could, for example, invoke the saying "Bloom where you are planted." And I can see the allegory also giving comfort to children who have just experienced a family move, especially a move to a foreign country. The symbolism could be taken even further to unfamiliar and even scary situations where children might find themselves. Ironically, Leah, of whom the seed is a personification, did indeed find herself in such a situation when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. (She is, thankfully, now in remission.) That one can bloom and be loved and valued in the most unexpected and surprising of places is indeed a positive and powerful truth.

I recommend this book because of it's cheerful illustrations and enduring theme of hope...a lesson that is applicable to a number of life circumstances, even beyond the adoption process.

You can read an excerpt here. This is a dear book.

The Bluestocking Guide review

The Bluestocking Guide
December 3, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed
by Brooke Bonett

This little book helps children understand adoption, particularly interracial adoption. The story is about a little poppy seed that is sent away to grow and bloom away from it "mother" because it is better for the little seed.

It was a very cute story. I liked the message that having diversity in the family life is a good thing.

I don’t have any children of my own, but if I did I would definitely use this book to teach them about adoption, particularly if I was doing an interracial adoption or I know someone who was doing an interracial adoption. I think a child will be able to grasp the concepts in this book quite easily.

Actually even if you aren’t considering adoption, I think this is an excellent primer for teaching children that racial diversity is a good thing.

But that’s me.