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ABC, Adoption & Me: A Multicultural Picture Book for Adoptive Families
Rated a Favorite Read of 2013 by Adoptive Families, the award-winning national adoption magazine for families. Named a Notable Picture Book of 2013 by Shelf Unbound, Earned an Honorable Mention on The 2013 Gittle List. Earned an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.
ABC, Adoption & Me celebrates the blessing of family and addresses the difficult issues as well. With charming, exuberant illustrations and a diverse representation of families, ABC, Adoption & Me will warm hearts, deepen understanding of what it means to be an adoptive family and provide teaching moments that bring families closer, connected in truth, compassion, and joy. Using the familiar rubric of the alphabet, the book highlights both the joys of adoption and gently introduces the serious topics often considered by adopted children but that parents struggle to find ways of exploring. This sweet book handles the ideas as a normal part of family life.
ABC, Adoption & Me celebrates the blessing of family and addresses the difficult issues as well. With charming, exuberant illustrations and a diverse representation of families, ABC, Adoption & Me will warm hearts, deepen understanding of what it means to be an adoptive family and provide teaching moments that bring families closer, connected in truth, compassion, and joy. Using the familiar rubric of the alphabet, the book highlights both the joys of adoption and gently introduces the serious topics often considered by adopted children but that parents struggle to find ways of exploring. This sweet book handles the ideas as a normal part of family life.
36 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Gayle H. Swift
2 books17 followersGayle is a certified coach, co-founder of Growing Intentional Families Together, an (adoptive) mother of two now-adult children, a former foster parent, and a 60-year survivor of ovarian cancer.
She wrote, the multi-award-winning book, "ABC, Adoption & Me" with her daughter Casey A. Swift In 2013, "Shelf Unbound" named "ABC" a Notable Picture Book & "Adoptive Families Magazine" named it a Favorite Read. In 20219 "ABC, was revised & re-illustrated and it was a 2020 Indie Book Awards finalist. Gayle and her daughter also co-wrote "We're Adopted, So What" which also was a 2020 Indie Book Awards finalist,
Gayle’s third book, "Reimagining Adoption: What Adoptees Seek from Families and Faith” was co-written with Sally Ankertfelt. "Reimagining Adoption” earned the Silver in the 2021 Illumination Book Awards. These awards honor the year's best new titles written and published with a Christian worldview.
Gayle also contributed to "It's Not About You: Understanding Adoptee Search, Reunion & Open Adoption"
She wrote, the multi-award-winning book, "ABC, Adoption & Me" with her daughter Casey A. Swift In 2013, "Shelf Unbound" named "ABC" a Notable Picture Book & "Adoptive Families Magazine" named it a Favorite Read. In 20219 "ABC, was revised & re-illustrated and it was a 2020 Indie Book Awards finalist. Gayle and her daughter also co-wrote "We're Adopted, So What" which also was a 2020 Indie Book Awards finalist,
Gayle’s third book, "Reimagining Adoption: What Adoptees Seek from Families and Faith” was co-written with Sally Ankertfelt. "Reimagining Adoption” earned the Silver in the 2021 Illumination Book Awards. These awards honor the year's best new titles written and published with a Christian worldview.
Gayle also contributed to "It's Not About You: Understanding Adoptee Search, Reunion & Open Adoption"
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 22, 2013
"ABC Adoption and Me" may look like a children's book, but it is so much more. It is a MUST READ for all adoptive families, because it not only talks about the elements of adoption in a way a child can understand, it also instructs adoptive parents on how to use the book. The issues this book addresses are very real to adopted children and when they are not addressed, they can lead to questions, confused feelings and resentment in later years.
The story is presented in short, easy to understand passages and the illustrations have a fun look that children will relate to. It is more than a pleasant read for adoptive families, it is a way to open the door to conversations that will be remembered long after the book is gone.
Kudos to the Mother/Daughter authors for opening up the issues of adoption in such an understanding way.
The story is presented in short, easy to understand passages and the illustrations have a fun look that children will relate to. It is more than a pleasant read for adoptive families, it is a way to open the door to conversations that will be remembered long after the book is gone.
Kudos to the Mother/Daughter authors for opening up the issues of adoption in such an understanding way.
December 16, 2013
A TREASURE for everyone touched by adoption!
I read ABC, Adoption & Me to my toddler (adopted in 2010) last night. We loved it! The adoptive mother-adoptee daughter writing duo uses a normal, comfortable, safe topic (the alphabet) as a springboard for age-appropriate discussions of complex, intimate, emotional topics innate in adoption. The lively illustrations engaged my child. The colorful characters on each page frame and enhance the content. I honestly believe that this book, though written for children, will give great comfort to my husband, who was adopted in 1963. With every letter of the alphabet, ABC, Adoption, & Me spells out a narrative of love, understanding, and, most of all, respect for members of the adoption community. Every adoptive parent, birth parent, adoptee, and social worker should own this book!
I read ABC, Adoption & Me to my toddler (adopted in 2010) last night. We loved it! The adoptive mother-adoptee daughter writing duo uses a normal, comfortable, safe topic (the alphabet) as a springboard for age-appropriate discussions of complex, intimate, emotional topics innate in adoption. The lively illustrations engaged my child. The colorful characters on each page frame and enhance the content. I honestly believe that this book, though written for children, will give great comfort to my husband, who was adopted in 1963. With every letter of the alphabet, ABC, Adoption, & Me spells out a narrative of love, understanding, and, most of all, respect for members of the adoption community. Every adoptive parent, birth parent, adoptee, and social worker should own this book!
July 5, 2014
First of all (for those who don’t know) I am adopted and so I like it when I see an adoption book done really well. I really like that the book shows the huge diversity in adoptive families. It also covers all kinds of questions, issues and happy things too. Being adopted myself, some of the issues I could relate to (like “R is for real. My birth parents and my adoptive parents are all real.” I personally don’t like it when someone asks who my “real” parents are. Last time I got grounded my parents really felt real to me. ;) ) while others I haven’t had experience with, but I am sure other kids/families have. The book also gives respect to birth parents which is a nice addition. The book is written in a way that makes it easy for kids to understand. I think it is a great book for families to read together.
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
*NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
December 10, 2015
ABC Adoption is the perfect book for anyone going through the process of adopting a child. With years of experience as an adoptive mother, Gayle and her adopted daughter, Casey have created an excellent resource for families going through the adoption process. Together they used their positive adoption experience to create a brilliant ABC book that is filled with tender, loving messages, and beautiful illustrations. I added a copy of this book to my first grade classroom library because adoption is a topic that often comes up in school. I loved sharing this book with my students because it sparked such warm and compassionate conversations about adoption in the classroom. I strongly recommend this book for children, adults, and educators!
September 15, 2013
Must have for families in the adoption process. Gentle themes, wonderful illustrations are a great starting point for discussion between young children and their families. I gave ABC to my foster nephew and he and his nearly adoptive mom were THRILLED. He immediately opened the book and pointed out the "B" It is perfect for them as he is just learning his letters. For slightly older children, the pictures and ideas will help in exploring the complex feelings they face. Give someone you love this book today.
August 23, 2013
Everyone who has adopted a child - or is thinking about adoption - should read this charming, mother/daughter book with its personal insight into the rewards and challenges of adoption. The simple language and thought-provoking illustrations make it a perfect tool to share with children. You'll love it!
ABC, Adoption & Me by Gayle H. Swift.
ABC, Adoption & Me by Gayle H. Swift.
December 10, 2013
This is the perfect book for introducing the topic of adoption. Families will enjoy reading it together. It broaches topics with a sweetness and gentle joy, while celebrating the diversity of families.
January 1, 2018
I would highly recommend this book to adoptive families, or families who are considering adoption with kids already in the home. As an Adoption Worker, I really appreciated the language used in this book, as it is extremely inclusive and adoption competent. I also appreciate how diverse the families in the pictures are and how the story reads to more than just children who were adopted as infants domestically, but also kids who were adopted internationally or at older ages. I appreciate the honesty in the wording and the mention of feelings and emotions about being adopted. I love that birth parents are acknowledged, thanked and celebrated too! I think this would be great book for younger kids, or even older children that could use a book with a story that is like theirs!
August 11, 2014
I received this book as a gift in a giveaway promotion. The author is an adoptive mother and adoption coach/consultant. She wrote the book with her adopted daughter. The wonderful relationship they share comes through in the text message.
Mother and daughter want to express the special bond shared by adoption families, while not ignoring the place of the birth family. Presented in a simple ABC format the book format will appeal to a young child, yet contained within letter are more complex emotional issues and the questions that could arise. This book can be used as a starting point for discussions parents or teachers want to initiate or as a means to formulate an answer to an adopted child's question. Available in kindle and paperback format, this book deserves a place on parent, teacher and library bookshelves.
I applaud the fact that the illustrations depict multicultural and biracial families of all types. The images contained in Y for you displaying uniqueness and personality diversity as special sends a great message. One thing did bother me and that is the reason for not giving the book five stars, some of the expressions on the faces were not only quirky, but a bit scary. I could see a young child being confused by them.
Mother and daughter want to express the special bond shared by adoption families, while not ignoring the place of the birth family. Presented in a simple ABC format the book format will appeal to a young child, yet contained within letter are more complex emotional issues and the questions that could arise. This book can be used as a starting point for discussions parents or teachers want to initiate or as a means to formulate an answer to an adopted child's question. Available in kindle and paperback format, this book deserves a place on parent, teacher and library bookshelves.
I applaud the fact that the illustrations depict multicultural and biracial families of all types. The images contained in Y for you displaying uniqueness and personality diversity as special sends a great message. One thing did bother me and that is the reason for not giving the book five stars, some of the expressions on the faces were not only quirky, but a bit scary. I could see a young child being confused by them.
Read
April 12, 2016ABC Adoption and Me provides an easy way to open the door to conversations about adoption. It may look like a children's book, but it is for anyone going through or thinking to adopt a child.
It begins with instructions on how to use the book, follows by the elements of adoption in a way a child can understand making connections with the alphabet. The illustrations support the message on how the children will relate to the adoption process.
This book displays knowledge and experiences not only from the author
Gayle Swift as an adoptive parent, adoption coach and foster parent, but also from the co-author Casey Ann Swift as an adoptee, teacher and supporter of the project.
I highly recommend this book for all who are exploring the option of adoption.
It begins with instructions on how to use the book, follows by the elements of adoption in a way a child can understand making connections with the alphabet. The illustrations support the message on how the children will relate to the adoption process.
This book displays knowledge and experiences not only from the author
Gayle Swift as an adoptive parent, adoption coach and foster parent, but also from the co-author Casey Ann Swift as an adoptee, teacher and supporter of the project.
I highly recommend this book for all who are exploring the option of adoption.
September 6, 2013
What a wonderful book. I highly recommend this well-written and illustrated book. Gayle Swift has written an uplifting book that answers many questions parents have in talking with their adopted children.
December 11, 2020
A totally generic and whatever adoption book, but it gets marks for inclusivity and diversity. I'd like more of a narrative, or something a little more engaging (also, can we get some better art?) but, in the scope of terrible adoption books, this one's not so bad.
January 27, 2018
This book is full of great information for adoptive families. The collaboration of adoptive mother and adopted child as authors gives a well-rounded picture of what it means to be part of a family touched by adoption. I can see that it would be a great tool for starting conversations, broaching difficult topics (“U…sometimes it is hard to understand why I was adopted”), and celebrating some of adoption's beautiful aspects (“X's…stand for the hugs we share as a family). I love that it starts with a section on how to use the book. It is an invaluable tool for bringing along family members (and others who use the book) in understanding the intricacies of adoption.
That said, for me, some of the illustrations were a little scary (facial expressions) and that took away from the richness of the book's content; however, my children (4 and 5) were not put off in the same way. #readyourworld
A copy of this book was given to me by the author, Gayle H Swift, in exchange for my honest review, as participation in Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2018 (1/27/18) -- in its 5th year, it was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.
That said, for me, some of the illustrations were a little scary (facial expressions) and that took away from the richness of the book's content; however, my children (4 and 5) were not put off in the same way. #readyourworld
A copy of this book was given to me by the author, Gayle H Swift, in exchange for my honest review, as participation in Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2018 (1/27/18) -- in its 5th year, it was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom. Our mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews