A Family for Leanne [Paperback]

Shelby Timberlake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2007

A Family for Leanne tells the story of a little girl and her two brothers, who were taken from their biological family and placed in the foster care system. This story takes you through the emotions and ups and downs that Leanne experiences during her foster care and adoption process. At the end of the story is a series of questions for parents to review with their children. This book will help open the door for better communication between foster and adoptive parents and their children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shelby Griffin Timberlake is adopted. She was removed from her biological parents at age four. After going to a receiving home and a few foster homes she was adopted at age eight. She knew she always wanted to adopt when she became an adult. Her oldest daughter is adopted. During the course of the adoption Shelby looked for books for her daughter. Finding very few out there she decided to pull from her childhood experiences and write a book for children in the foster care system.

Product Details

• Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (November 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434332918
• ISBN-13: 978-1434332912
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,151,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare Resource for Foster Adoptive Families, March 13, 2008

By 

Christine Mitchell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Family for Leanne (Paperback)

My daughter, adopted at four, really liked this book. She was excited to see some of the similarities between Leanne's story and hers. As we read it, particularly the part where Leanne joins her adoptive family, my daughter said "I feel like crying happy tears".

Although she became sad a bit later thinking about her own birth siblings, I think it is a good book for her. Kids adopted from foster care rarely see themselves portrayed in children's books, and I believe it is helpful for them to realize that other kids have bee through this as well.

I felt like the story accurately represents the foster adopt process, from age-appropriate descriptions of neglect in the birth family, to the child entering foster care (through a receiving center first), to the role of the social workers and foster families, and finally to the adoption finalization.

Books are a great tool to start discussions about adoption issues and the child's feelings. I like that Shelby includes questions for discussion at the back, and we did this kind of informally while we read the book the first time.

Another thing my daughter really liked was that the author had been adopted herself at age four and that she is an adoptive mother as well. She also liked the child-like illustrations.

Christine Mitchell
Author and Illustrator of:
Family Day: Celebrating Ethan's Adoption Anniversary
and
Welcome Home, Forever Child: A Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Beyond

Other good children's books with foster/adopt themes include: Zachary's New Home: A Story for Foster and Adopted Children and Nutmeg Gets Adopted, both featuring animal characters.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for adopted kids and their families!, December 4, 2007

By 

Matt - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Family for Leanne (Paperback)

This book tells the story of one little girl, but it is the story of many children's lives around the world. This book is a valuable resource for parents and kids alike. The questions at the end of the story are especially helpful, and are a great way to get parents and their foster/adopted kids to open up and communicate with each other. 5-Stars for sure!