ONCE UPON A BABY
by
Shari Guess
Illustrations by Kate Featherstone
Drawing from personal experience, first-time, LDS-author Shari Guess debuts with an enchanting twenty-two page discussion of the spiritual miracle of adoption, showing children how their unique family composition fits into Heavenly Father's Plan for eternal families.
Once Upon a Baby focuses on couples who seek adoption because of infertility rather than those who desire to add an adopted child to a current family. Kate Featherstone's beautiful, child-geared illustrations help even the smallest child follow this story of pre-mortal promises that are complicated by a couple's inability to "grow" their own baby.
Guess's Once Upon a Baby is packed with spiritual gems from promises made in the pre-existence, through the sorrow of infertility and faith required to trust that God could yet provide a way, through to the joy of the adoption. This short book illustrates the roles of prayer and patience, and introduces the topic of birth mothers--"Tummy Mommies"--with love and dignity:
"Tummy Mommies . . . help mommies and daddies who can't grow babies by growing a baby for them."
Adoptive parents should find this a comfortable vehicle to help their children recognize as adoption as part of a divine plan for families. Pause and really study the charming illustrations which are so packed with thought that entire discussions could be launched from each page.
A visit to the book's web page provides readers with a glimpse into the experiences of Guess and her husband as they adopted their son, Garrett, providing the inspiration for Once Upon a Baby.
Here's what others are saying about this unique and timely book:
"Shari Guess has written a "must read" for every LDS family. She made a relevant issue for our time seem simple, yet to the heart."
--Brenton G. Yorgason, PhD
"I cried grateful tears to finally find a book for our children that explains their unique place within our family in a spiritual way."
--Nancy Reynolds, CA
Copies can be purchased for $14.00 using this link.
Shari Guess has made an autographed copy of her book available for me to give away. To enter, all you have to do is post a comment below and mention that you'd like to win the book. That's it! A winner will be drawn on Friday, July 20.
This is wonderful! As someone getting ready to adopt I have really been looking everywhere for books like this. I love the LDS perspective! It's so important for all children to know they are part of Heavenly Father's plan.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! As someone preparing for adoption I have been looking everywhere for books like this. I love the LDS perspective. It's so important for all children to know they are part of Heavenly Father's plan.
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely wonderful. You often wonder how to talk to children about different subjects.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
What a wonderful book. I have an aunt and uncle who adopted their first, cousins who have adopted, and friends. I would love to have this book in my library, and might just have to get it to share. Adoption is a wonderful plan for those who can't have their children in a biological way. Thanks for sharing this, Laurie.
ReplyDeletewhat a fun giveaway and i would love to be entered! :)
ReplyDeletewhat a fun giveaway, i would love to be entered!! :)
ReplyDeleteI recently chatted with Shari about this book. What a wonderful resource for adoptive parents! I'd love to be entered in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteThere's a couple in our ward who would love this book. Consider me entered!
ReplyDelete(Moved from Goodreads) by Stacey (new) 6 hours, 8 min ago
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a copy of this book! I have so many friends that have adopted it's hard to pick one to recommend this book for. What a beautiful concept!
Congratulations, Tanya. You're the winner of the free book! I'll try to get that out to you in a few days.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone to entered, and to Shari Guess for supplying the prize.
Laurie