Bible Crafts

I received this great craft book from Kregel called Bible Crafts 1~ Costumes, Rings & Things, and Clay Pots.  This is a 32-page paperback book, size 8 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches.  It's got the cutest little craft ideas for your kids~ whether at home, or in a Sunday School or co-op setting. 
Each craft page includes the minutes it will take to complete the craft, along with the average age range the craft is suitable for (there are crafts for ages 4-11 in this book).  There is a materials list, preparation for grown-up, and step-by-step directions, along with pictures (drawings).  Another great addition to this book is that, for each craft, there is an accompanying Bible verse (which speaks directly about that item) and a "Life in Bible Times" section (which asks a question and then gives the Bible times answer). 

My daughter Gracie, who is 7, really enjoyed looking through this book.  Many of the crafts are made from items that you will have readily available at home, which (to me) is a BIG plus!  Gracie grabbed some craft supplies and made herself this bracelet:

Here are the directions for making the bracelet (taken from page 25 of the book):



That's just a sneak peek~ you'll need to buy the book for the rest of the crafts!  You can  buy this one at Amazon and at ChristianBook.com (I noticed they both only have 1 left in stock~ so hurry up!)
Also, you might want to check out book 2 in this series~ it contains craft instructions for making musical instruments, writing, and baskets & mats.

Welcome Home, Forever Child by Christine Mitchell

I have been so honored to be able to review so many adoption-related books these past few months.  Not only is adoption a topic that is very near and dear to my heart, but it's also very important to me to help spread the word about adoption to those who aren't familiar or well-informed, and to share the many resources that are available to us as adoptive families.

The book Welcome Home, Forever Child is a wonderful children's book!  This one is different from the children's books I've reviewed in the past, as this one is written particularly for children who are NOT adopted as infants.  There is a whole different set of issues and questions that go along with a child who is adopted at an older age.  They may remember experiences shared with birth and/or foster families, and have questions about how long they will be with their "new" family. 

If you've adopted a toddler, preschooler, or older child, then this book is a MUST for your family!  Author Christine Mitchell shares a story of love and the meaning of adoption in rhyming words that children will love to hear and easily understand.  It will help create a bond with adoptive parents, and explain to the child what "forever" means. 

The illustrations are so sweet.  The author has used cats as the characters in the story.  I love this because it makes the book appropriate for any type of adoptive situation- transracial, etc.  The  book starts out by talking about all the important milestones that may have been missed by the adoptive parents, but goes on to primarily focus on all the "firsts" that are to come, with a promise of being there to share in them.  I am sure this book will be one that you will read over and over again with your child(ren). 

Sample illustrations from the  book are available on the website.  Also available are greeting cards, based on the book-  there are "Congratulations on Your Adoption" cards for families and "Happy Adoption Day" cards for children.  I received some of these cards and am so anxious to use them!  It's hard to find appropriate adoption-related greeting cards, so I'm very excited about these!

This book is available at AdoptionShop.com, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, along with other online sources (listed on the website). 

I Don't Have Your Eyes by Carrie A. Kitze

What the publisher, EMK Press, has to say about I Don't Have Your Eyes:

"For the child who looks different from their parents for what ever reason...foster care, step parents, adoption. This multicultural book will empower your child to look beyond the physical features they have on the outside because inside our hearts, we are the same.  This book also is a great tool to teach young elementary students about differences. Use it with the free activity download  for a fun and powerful activity that talks about outside differences and inside sameness. Ages 2-7"

My thoughts:

This  book is a simple, straightforward look at the outward differences between parents and children of transracial adoption.  But, it not only focuses on the ways in which we might look different from our children, but on the many ways that we are very much the same.  Each 2-page spread (which is beautifully illustrated by Rob Williams), focuses on a different aspect of our appearance.  It's a book that contains few words, but BIG MEANING!  Some of my favorite comparisons in the book are "I don't have your knees.....but I have learned your way of giving thanks on mine", "I don't have your face.....but I know you love the look that is mine alone", and "I don't look like you on the outside.....but I look inside and in our hearts we are  the same."

In addition to being a writer, publisher, and public speaker, author Carrie Kitze is also an adoptive mom.  She knows the emotions of adoptive children who may wonder about birth parents or why they look different from the rest of their family.  This book is a great conversation starter;  but, in and of itself, it's enough to show your child that, no matter what he or she looks like on the outside, it's really the inside that matters most. 

This book will become a treasured keepsake in our home library.  If you are interesting in purchasing this book, or learning more about it, click here.  (The author will even autograph the book with a personalized message to your child.)

Forever Fingerprints by Sherrie Eldridge

I am honored to have received a copy of this book for review.  I feel very inadequate to do it justice with my words.  But, I will try.....

Forever Fingerprints is one of those  books that you don't just read, you FEEL.  Author Sherrie Eldridge uses an every day occurance (a relative's pregnancy) to teach an extraordinary lesson (where adopted children are  before they are born).  If you are an adoptive parent, then you may have been asked questions such as "Where did I come  from?" or "Why didn't I grow in your tummy, Mommy?"  Sharing this book with your young child (preschool through elementary, in my opinion) is a fantastic springboard for further discussion.  Not only will this book help you to talk to your child about their thoughts and feelings, but it will also help you to show your child how much you love them, and give them a means of honoring their past.

The main character in this book, a little girl named Lucie, is adopted.  One day, her Aunt Grace comes for a visit and shares some special news~ there is a baby growing in her tummy.  Lucie was amazed at how big Aunt Grace's tummy was, and even more amazed when she felt the baby move!  However, when Lucie went to bed that night, many questions started swirling around in her head......Whose tummy did she grow in?  Did she do something to make her birthparents give her up?  Whose fingers felt her tapping on their tummy before she was born?  Lucie's parents use the opportunity to reassure her that she is loved and to discuss her birth parents.  Then, they explain about fingerprints and how each person is very unique~ and the most important, exciting thing~ our fingerprints are formed while we are in our mother's womb (so even though we may be adopted, we have that special bond that ties us to our birthparents). 

The story is simple and straightforward.  The illustrations (by Rob Williams) are colorful and fun.  The book also contains "Parent Tools & Activities" as well as further information on fingerprints. 

One of my favorite things about this  book (and definitely Gracie's) was the fact that, included with the book, is a special piece of paper and a stamp pad, so that you can make prints of your fingers.  Gracie had an absolute blast with this!  This piece of paper will be a wonderful addition to her keepsake book (and I made a copy of it, so that when Ian is older we might share this story with him as well).  Here's Gracie's:

Gracie loved this!  I was surprised this evening, when she came up with another idea, as a direct result of this book:

Why stop with the fingerprints when you can do your whole hand?!  I drew the heart in the middle, and she came up with the family idea on her own.  Isn't that sweet?

Great story, fantastic illustrations, wonderful message, perfect opportunity.

Forever Fingerprints is a book that should be shared with every adopted child. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Some exciting news about this book:

If you are an adoptee or have an adopted child, then this might be something that will be of interest to you (I know it is to me!)  The publisher of this book, Carrie Kitze of EMK Press, is an adoptive parent herself.  She is making the following fantastic offer in honor of National Adoption Day:

We would like to invite you to join us and other members of the adoption triad to read Forever Fingerprints to help celebrate the incredible act of adoption, on Saturday, November 17th, National Adoption Day 2007. (Sherrie and my daughter are reading together in Indianapolis at the Children's Museum.)



Here’s how it’s going to happen:

First, those interested should read the story of Forever Fingerprints….An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children, free to read online for a limited time at www.emkpress.com/fingerprint.html

Second, set up a public reading of Forever Fingerprints at your local library, bookstore, house of worship, school, or adoption group meeting on November 17, 2007, National Adoption Day. Head here to sign up to read and login your contact details and the location and time of your reading:

www.emkpress.com/fingerprintreading.html



After signing up and committing to read, you won’t believe what Carrie (that's me) will send you:



1. A complimentary, autographed copy of Forever Fingerprints for your enjoyment

2. Another complimentary copy to donate to the place you are reading.

3. A simple press kit to help publicize your event including a press release to send to your local newspaper,

4. Copies of “Fingerprint Memory Sheets” for children to actually make a forever fingerprint after your

reading (great for Life Books or framing).

5. Several small inkpads with “Forever Fingerprints” on them to be used during the fingerprint activity.

And some other cool stuff and ideas to make your reading an exciting and fun time for all your listeners...



It’s going to be wonderful to have people of all ages reading in cities and towns all across the country! What fun to have a positive story of adoption in the paper for a change. Use your imagination if you don’t have or can’t use your local library, the reading could be done at your favorite bookstore, church, or school. Any questions? email me at carriekitze@emkpress.com

*If you decide to do this, great!  Please tell Carrie that you found the information on my blog~ thanks!

 

And Baby Makes a Family by Phyllis Ann Mariani

First time author, Phyllis Ann Mariani, has used her own experience as an adopted child, along with the stories told to her by her parents, to create a fun picture book for young children.  And Baby Makes a Family is a story told in the first "person" (in this case the family puppy, Leta).  Leta's family is anxiously awaiting the phone call that will change all of their lives- the phone call announcing the arrival of a very special new baby who will join their family. 

The story is told in simple words that the youngest reader will understand.  The illustrations by W.F. Hawkinson are bright, colorful, and very cheerful.  Each two page spread is filled with great illustrations and just enough words to hold a young child's attention. 

I was fortunate enough to also a receive a black & white version of the book.  The illustrations are still fantastic and fun;  but this version will allow my 7 year old daughter to color the pictures using her choice of colors and imagination- making this book something uniquely hers.

Though this book seems to focus more on local adoption, the story is simple enough that it would not confuse a child who has been adopted internationally. This  book has been praised by librarians and counselors and has been recommended as a tool to help children understand the joys and hardships associated with adoption.  Phyllis Ann dedicates this book "to all those in the world of adoption who are making families happen." 

Color copies of this  book can be purchased through the publisher.  If you are interested in a black & white copy, please contact me and I can put you in touch with the author.

Edited 8/14/07~

Gracie's opinion of this book:  "I really liked this book except that I wish there would be a picture of the baby at the end.  You don't get to see the baby!"

Here are some of the pictures that Gracie colored in the b&w book: