A Blessing from Above (Family Storytime) (Hardcover)

by Patti Henderson (Author) "Once upon a time there lived a mother kangaroo who had an empty pouch..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
"Once upon a time there lived a mother kangaroo who had an empty pouch," begins this earnest tale of adoption, the first by the author (the mother of two adopted sons) and the artist (an adoptee). As Momma-Roo sits under a tree, imagining what it would be like to show her own little one the sights and sounds of the forest, a baby bluebird tumbles out of a crowded nest and falls into her pouch. The mother bluebird "knew her nest was not big enough for all her chicks," and is glad to let an elated Momma-Roo have the tiniest nestling. Momma-Roo and Little One frolic in the forest, and every night they "thank God for all their blessings... especially for each other." Very young children will probably be satisfied with the simply resolved plot and the delicate prettiness of the watercolor illustrations, but adoptive parents may wonder if a trans-species adoption is the most appropriate analogy, and adopted children may wish that the perspectives here were not only those of the two mothers. While a general sense of faith suffuses the book, the story concludes with a quote from Ephesians ("In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ"), limiting the audience to Christians. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-This sentimental picture book, which begins and ends with New Testament Scripture, is about a mother kangaroo that prays for a baby. Seeing other animals with their young only intensifies her longing. When a baby bird falls out of an overcrowded nest and lands in the kangaroo's pouch, she hugs her "blessing from above" and decides to raise it as her own. There are several problems with this adoption story. Apart from the questionable circumstance of the mother bird being delighted to have a chick for which she has no room adopted, or calling a childless kangaroo "Momma-Roo," Henderson's story has the wrong focus for the intended audience. It is not on the youngster being adopted, but on the mother and her desires. Edge's watercolor and pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations depict a tranquil countryside complete with blooming flowers, ducks on a lake, and a large willow tree-hardly the environment in which to find a kangaroo. Jamie Lee Curtis's Tell Me Again about the Night I Was Born (HarperCollins, 1996) is a far more suitable, child-centered choice.
Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Golden Books (November 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307102165
• ISBN-13: 978-0307102164
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,003,647 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful story that will touch your heart, July 20, 2001

By	Bonnie J. Ward "Bonnie Ward" (Exeter, New Hampshire USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a single adoptive mom, I have struggled to find books that would appropriately relate to both the special story of our family as well as present the concept of birth-mom/adoptive-mom in a non-threatening way for my toddler. This story is so well written and beautifully illustrated, it will touch your heart even if your family is not touched by adoption at all. But if you are an adoptive family, this is a GREAT story for young children. If you are a single parent, this story is a must! I can not adequately explain how relieved I felt when I read it -- here was my story, told through the eyes of a Kangaroo. Here is my daughters' stories, told through the eyes of a Baby Bird. And here is their birth-families stories, introduced in a non-threatening, easy to understand story for very young children.

Of all of the books we have on adoption, I am especially fond of this one. I am particularly grateful for Ms. Henderson and Ms. Edge .... your story has been a big help to us.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautiful story on the "miracle of adoption", September 25, 1999

By A Customer

Just as there is the miracle of childbirth,there is the miracle of adoption-a mother who can instantly love a child that is not biologically her own. We have an adopted 2 year old and this is the most precious book I have seen thus far on the subject of adoption. I couldn't have written a story that was more suitable myself!! The author does a lovely job of conveying the yearning of Mother Roo to have a family of her own. I can't wait to read this to my little boy and explain to him that he fell write into my "pouch"! I highly recommend this book for all adoptees and their friends and families.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful and simple story about adoption., July 11, 1999

By A Customer

I love A Blessing from Above because it is such a simple story which you can use to talk to your own child about their special adoption story. The illustrations are beautifully done and the story of Mother Roo desiring a child and then receiving her Blessing from above (a little blue bird) can easily led into a number of different types of adoption whether foreign or domestic and even those with trans-racial families. This is the first adoption book I have found that is of its type using an animal's experience which is great for the younger child. It is great in reinforcing that the child is a blessing and was very much wanted. It also shows the birth-mom as happy to see her child safely and lovingly received into Mother Roo's pouch.