Customer Reviews

A Family for Leanne

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!