Adoption Is a Lifelong Journey - Softcover

DiBenedetto, Kelly; Gorczyca, Katie; Eckert, Jennifer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0692797874 ISBN 13: 9780692797877

Publisher: Boston Post Adoption Resources, 2017

Synopsis

Meet Charlie, an adoptee who opens his heart and shares what’s on his mind through various phases as he grows up in his adoptive home. As the narrator of ADOPTION IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY, Charlie invites readers to see the adoption journey from the perspective of a child adoptee. This illustrated book — a tool for families touched by adoption and foster care — provides insight into emotions and thoughts an adoptee or foster child might encounter while also equipping parents and caregivers with timely responses and resources. While every adoption story is unique, Charlie’s voice brings to light common themes the authors encounter as post adoption therapists at Boston Post Adoption Resources (BPAR). The book begins with Charlie settling into his adoptive home and progresses as he grapples with challenges such as building trust, feeling a sense of worth, relating to his beginnings, and establishing his identity. The illustrated portion connects to recommendations for parents: things to think about, tips for conversations, family activities, and additional resources. Who can benefit from the book: adoptive or foster parents, mental health professionals, adoption and foster care agencies, prospective adoptive parents, teachers and school health facilitators.

About this title

About the Author:

As mental health professionals at Boston Post Adoption Resources (BPAR.org), the authors donate all proceeds from the sale of this book to BPAR’s mission to support and provide resources to anyone touched by adoption. Kelly DiBenedetto, LMHC, ATR is clinical director at BPAR. She works with children, teens, adults, and families touched by adoption and foster care. Kelly incorporates the arts and play in her work to assist in self exploration and emotional expression. Katie Gorczyca, MA is a clinician and expressive therapist at BPAR. She sees children, teens, adults, and families touched by adoption and foster care. Katie believes in working with people’s strengths and in the power of connection. Jennifer Eckert, LICSW is the founder of BPAR. She works with adults, teens, children, and families touched by adoption and foster care. Jennifer’s personal adoption experience led her to this important work, which has become her life passion.

Review:

"Some books have the power to change lives, to heal souls. Adoption is a Lifelong Journey is one of those books. Sensitively written and artfully drawn, it's the only book I've seen that gives voice to the child adoptee in an accessible, empowering and truthful way. Every family touched by adoption and the foster care system should own -- and use -- this book."--Steve Pemberton, author of A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home

"The only way to understand adoption is from the adopted child's perspective. Adoption is a Lifelong Journey is a wonderful tool to help professionals and parents talk to adoptive children. The book truly lets these children know that they are not alone and their voices matter. In addition, it delivers great information regarding how adoption affects a person throughout their lifetime. If you are an adoptive parent or professional, please read this book!"--Dr. Sue Cornbluth, author of Building Self Esteem in Children and Teens Who Are Adopted or Fostered

"Adoption is a Lifelong Journey is the best book of its kind that I have ever read. All adoptive parents and prospective adoptive parents need to read this book. It is superb."- Joe Soll, LCSW, adoptee, psychotherapist and author of Adoption Healing... a path to recovery

"Adoption is a Lifelong Journey is a beautifully written book that helps parents and caregivers understand the unique needs of foster and adopted children from their perspective.  This book is a valuable resource for both parents and clinicians to read with children as a way to help validate the many thoughts and feelings they have when becoming a part of a new family."--Lisa Dominguez, LCSW-C, Director of Clinical Services, C.A.S.E. Center for Adoption Support and Education

"Adoption is a Lifelong Journey is a wonderful new contribution to adoption literature. The book offers important insights into issues and concerns that adoptive children often have (as narrated by young adoptee Charlie and his bear), and then provides suggestions for action: prompts for further deliberation and conversation, and additional resources on critical topics in adoption. Concise and accessible, it's not only a very useful tool for parents, but for anyone who interacts with and wants to support adoptees and adoptive families. A great new resource."--Elisabeth O'Toole, M.Ed., author of In on It: What Adoptive Parents Would Like You to Know About Adoption

About this edition

• Publisher: Boston Post Adoption Resources
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0692797874
• ISBN 13: 9780692797877
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 36
• Illustrator: DiBenedetto Kelly