LifeBooks : Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child (Paperback)

~ (Author) "People often ask me, "What is an adoption Lifebook?..." (more)
Key Phrases: birthday mom, adoption issues, birth country, Mommy Sandra, Center For Family Connections, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

" ...my daughter's LifeBook has only served to bring us closer and increase her trust in me. LifeBooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child provides an invaluable service to adoptive families. Your perspective and guidance freed me up to pull this together." -- Mary McGuire, adoptive mother of 6-year-old Cassie, adopted from China

" I just finished my daughter's lifebook... felt compelled to send you a copy...you inspired me...thank you... -- Dianna Calfin, adoptive mom in New Hampshire July 2001

" This book is a gift for adoptive and birth families and for professionals... -- Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, CEO Center for Family Connections, Cambridge and New York February 2000

"I strongly recommend this book for anyone involved in adoptions." -- Dr. Gregory Keck, Ph.D. Founder of the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio, and co-author of Adopting the Hurt Child August 2001

..."my daughter's lifebook has only served to bring us closer and increase her trust in me -- Mary McGuire, adoptive mother of 7-year-old Cassie, adopted from China

...your book helps adopted children learn to embrace their story and themselves... -- Susan Soon-keum Cox, Holt International Children's Services August 2001

Product Description

From Alaska to Australia the word is spreading. Adoptive parents are discovering the enormous value of adoption lifebooks. But then the questions begin. Where do I start? What information should be included? Do I let my child bring it to school?

Beth O’Malley M.Ed. provides the answers to these and more. In her best selling book, LifeBooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child Beth guides you though the process, step-by-step and page by page as if she were right there with you.

Learn about the difference between a scrapbook or baby book and a lifebook. Or explaining tough truths, dealing with secrets and which pages are essential.

Newly revised 2002

Dozens of real life stories

Lists of hard-to-find lifebook resource websites

Sample pages for international and domestic

Special waiting parent section.

If you get really stuck, there are three full-length examples in the back section, including one for China adoptions.

Her life experiences as an adoptee combined with doing lifebook seminars with adoptive parents all over the country, gives Beth a special perspective on lifebooks. Most importantly, Beth has made countless lifebooks with children in her role as an adoption specialist in Massachusetts.

Beth O’Malley has helped thousands of adoptive families give their children the answers and security they crave.

This book is an indispensable guide to making your child’s lifebook. You will refer to it for years to come!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Adoption-Works Press (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970183275
• ISBN-13: 978-0970183279
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #88,991 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lifebooks Creating A Treasure For The Adopted Child, May 23, 2002

By	A. Hillen (CA USA) - See all my reviews

As an adoptive parent and an adoption educator, I have looked at many, many books and other sources on the topic of "creating a lifebook." This book is by far the most enlightened, meaningful and relevant book out there. I have already bought several copies for my friends and for our homstudy agency. Most so called lifebooks focus on scrapbooking concepts. This is the only one I have found that talks about CONTENT. Not only what to write about, but WHY certain information needs to be included. It's really a "How-to on Lifebooks" AND a "Talking About Adoption" book rolled into one. The author has a a gift (and a unique and credible perspective) for synthesizing this critical and delicate topic into a clear and actionable tool for adoptive families. I have been putting off creating a lifebook for my two internationally adopted children for the last three years because the task seemed so daunting. After reading this book I was actually excited about getting started. Best of all I did it -and I urge any adoptive parent to buy this book!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lifebook Inspiration, May 26, 2002

By	K. Campbell (Kennesaw, GA United States) - See all my reviews

Beth O'Malley's book is an inspiration to any family born through adoption. I never had a clear understanding of what a lifebook is until reading her book. I adopted my daughter from China in 1997 and had yet to write her lifebook. When I received the book, I read it in one sitting and immediately began to write the text for my daughter's lifebook! Finally! The information I sought was described and formatted in easy to follow directions. My daughter's lifebook is almost completed. I highly recommend this book to ALL families that have children born to their family through adoption. The lifebook story has made a significant impact on my daughter and brought up many opportunities for us to discuss birthparents and her feelings about her birthfamily. You won't be disappointed with this purchase!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must!, July 20, 2000

By	Carolyn E. Smith, Executive Director, Massach... (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Beth O'Malley's LifeBooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child is a pure joy to read. Vital information is presented in a touching and personal manner that makes you feel as if Beth is right there with you, guiding you through the process. You will see that a LifeBook can have an immeasurable, positive impact on a child's identity, self-esteem and perception of family. Particularly for a child who is removed from birth family due to neglect or abuse, a LifeBook can help the child come to peace with their past and provides a solid foundation for them to look towards the future. I believe Beth's book is essential reading for everyone involved in adoption and foster care.

Carolyn E. Smith, Executive Director, Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange