BOOK NOOK CORNER: Introducing, "Once Upon A Baby: A Tale of Adoption"

 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, please post your comments below about the book. A winner will be drawn on Friday, July 20.
  

Copyright 2009 Laurie LC Lewis, (To obtain permission to copy or reprint any portion of this post, please contact the author at lclewis2007@gmail.com)