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.
