Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption [Paperback]

Andrea Nepa (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 2008

The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of "seeds" being planted in the perfect place - exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book's loving approach helps children to understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A charming and loving approach to help all children understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy. I highly recommend this book for children to share with their parents. --Steven G. Dubin, Esquire, Adoption Attorney

An adoption journey is beautifully depicted with comforting imagery of a poppy flower that is welcomed in a garden family. Children and adults will enjoy the simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. --Stacy Dori, regional director of foster care & adoption services, Friendship House, Scranton, Pennsylvania

What a charming story of seeds being planted in the perfect place, exactly where they belong. --LeAnn Thieman, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul

About the Author

Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter: For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places. In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (edited by author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 28 pages
• Publisher: Tribute Books (December 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981461999
• ISBN-13: 978-0981461991
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter: "For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places." In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Story January 21, 2009

By Sandra Heptinstall

Format:Paperback

What an adorable book on interracial adoption. The only problem I had was, if it had not been for the cover, I would not of known it was a book about interracial adoption. We follow a poppy seed along it's journey until it finds a place to land. It is cared for and flourishes in a garden filled with many beautiful flowers. It grows into a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy completes the color that is needed to create a perfect rainbow of colors.

While this book is about adoption, it also applies to life in general. We all want to belong and to be loved by others. Especially children who have no family, or the ones who are of a different race. Color is what you see, and often times a childs heart and soul is never seen. There are times no one looks into a childs eyes to see what lays there. The fear and the longing to belong. I applaud all of you out there who see a child for what they are and not for the color of their skin. I honestly have no choice in my mind and heart, but to give this book a five star rating.

Whispering Winds Book Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Story of Information and Heart! September 11, 2009

By Children's Book Reviewer

Format:Paperback

Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Napa, is a charming children's tale about interracial adoption. With the beginning of a Poppy flower who drops one of its seeds, and mourns it's lose, lets it go with the hope of the seed finding a better life elsewhere. The seed makes a journey through the world finally ending up in the place it is supposed to be, in a flower garden of various color and beauty. The garden readily accepts the seed where it grows with confidence and strength into a lovely red Poppy. Children will be able to identify with the Poppy seed in making the conclusion that where they are, in the home of their adopted mother and father, where their love grows strong and sure, is the place where they were meant to be.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'A poppy by any other name... January 25, 2009

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

RED IN THE FLOWER BED is a storybook for children and grownups alike, a charming extended rhyming poem that tells the story of a seed that drops frrm a poppy flower onto ground too hard for it to grow and thus begins a journey through nature's seasons and climes, carrying the wandering seed to a family garden where the seed drops by the grace of seasons and climate changes and grows into the bright red poppy - the missing addition to a garden longing to have all the colors of the rainbow. It is a simple tale but one rich in meaning and a subtle but poignant statement about interracial adoption.

Part of the beauty of this book is the choice of illustration. Since a separate illustrator has not been named, we can only assume that the poet, Andrea Nepa, has provided the colorful accompaniments. Her selection of using collage - using pieces of paper from a wide assortment of resources - enhances the book's message: we are all one and can come together despite our varied backgrounds and form a single entity of a family. This is a lovely little book that can be either appreciated as a story of nature's taking care of her elements, or as a warm statement about interracial adoption. A very nice touch! Grady Harp, January 09