Child of My Heart: A Celebration of Adoption [Paperback]

Barbara Alpert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

The only book of its kind--a beautiful celebration of a life-affirming choice.

With contributions from Michelle Pfeiffer, Rosie O'Donnell, Dave Thomas, Pearl S. Buck, and many others both well-known and little-known, this lovely book reveals the excitements, the frustrations, and the ultimate fulfillments of the adoption experience. This is a book to read, to give...and to treasure.
--The only book of its kind
--Includes personal observations by such celebrities as Rosie O'Donnell, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert Fulghum, and others

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425169014
• ISBN-13: 978-0425169018
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,402,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I started reading before kindergarten, and I grew up in a house filled with books. My father used to join the Book of the Month Club and the Literary Guild in the names of every family member "just to get the free books!" I'm a woman who loves books far more than shoes--that might just tell you all you need to know about me!

The basic facts: I was born in New York City, grew up mostly in northern New Jersey, got my B.A. from Brandeis University in waltham, Massachusetts, and came back to New York as soon as I could. My undergraduate degree is in Theatre Arts--Technical Theatre and Design, although I've always been interested in just about everything, and my college transcript reflects that.

My first jobs were in the theater--helping Meryl Streep with her costumes, stage managing new plays at Joe Papp's Public Theater, and handing props to actors like Sam Waterston, Ted Danson, and Danny DeVito at Central Park's Delacorte Shakespeare Theater. Eventually, I moved from theater to book publishing and worked as an editor at Avon, Ballantine, and Bantam Books, where I rose to Executive Editor and worked with such renowned authors as Shirley MacLaine, Barbara Mandrell, and Louis L'Amour. I also edited romance novels by many authors and wrote more than a thousand (!) book cover blurbs--phrases such as "She was a little too good to be true--and he was just bad enough to be irresistible!"

After changes in publishing made my job vanish, I spent the next few years as a freelance writer, where I first began co-authoring books with the great JoAnna M. Lund. Our partnership lasted through dozens of books and only ended with her death from breast cancer. While she lived, oh, how she lived--and created--and inspired millions of people to eat well and live healthier lives. It was a privilege to know her and help bring her vision to life.

I've also written some fun books with Scott H. Matthews, who was one of my authors (with his wife Tamara) while I worked at Bantam. With Scott, I used to joke that I wrote books about what I didn't know--Christmas, which I didn't grow up celebrating, and weddings, one of which I've never (alas) experienced.

I thoroughly enjoyed writing and researching three compulsively readable anthologies--NO FRIEND LIKE A SISTER (again, something I don't personally have, though I dedicated it to three great sisters-in-law); THE LOVE OF FRIENDS, about women's friendships (something I've been blessed to know a lot about!), and CHILD OF MY HEART: a Celebration of Adoption, inspired by my nephew Joshua and the adopted children of so many friends and colleagues. I'm very proud of these books and also grateful to my many interviewees and contributors.

In recent years, I've worked with some wonderful authors--sometimes as a co-author (including HEALTHY KIDS, SMART KIDS, working with a brilliant and innovative school principal), and sometimes as a ghostwriter (books I cannot name but have worked hard to polish with their authors).

I'm very excited about the latest chapter in my writing life. I'm writing for children--at last! It's my greatest thrill since I went back to school in 2001 and got my Masters degree in Education. I've taught elementary school in the South Bronx and spent nearly 8 years helping to run a great after school and tutoring program in East Harlem. I'm currently looking for my next career adventure and working on a bunch of kids' books for Capstone. Fall 2011: Magnets and Electricity for K-1; Spring 2012--3 more books for K-1; and for Fall 2012--4 titles for Capstone's Blazers line, details to come later.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Warm and Fuzzy, Not too heavy, February 16, 2000

By 

Jean Henry (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Child of My Heart: A Celebration of Adoption (Paperback)

This book is full of very short, most just a page or a little more, happy adoption stories. After reading each little story I felt like, "Is that it?" I really wanted to know more. If you're looking for easy-light reading that will make you feel good, then this is the book for you. If you are interested in more indepth stories or issues surrounding adoption, then this book will probably disapoint you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fabulous, heartwarming and wonderful book!, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Child of My Heart: A Celebration of Adoption (Paperback)

My husband and I have reached the end of our infertility journey and are seriously considering adoption. This book has been a real inspiration to me! I am buying several copies to give as gifts to friends who have already adopted. You realize when you read the book that the parents are "saved" just as much as the children by the experience of adoption. I just loved this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on adoption stories, April 8, 2001

By 

[e-mail] (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Child of My Heart: A Celebration of Adoption (Paperback)

Felt this book was a wonderful way for people to hear about the adoption stories that don't go wrong. Since I am one of the birthmother's in these stroies, it was important for me to see some representation that didn't make all birthparents out to be big monsters. Some are very caring individuals who only want what's best for their child. And I am one of those. Love you Peggy. Marie