Adopted Ed

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As most of you know, Kamikze is adopted, so anything adoption hits home with us. For many years prior to her adoption, I was a volunteer in orphanages abroad, and knew that when the time came, I would adopt. When I had the chance to review “Adopted Ed” by Darren Maddern (himself an adoptee), I knew I had to jump at it!

“This simple and beautifully illustrated story is about an adopted little boy and his journey through his early years. Sensitive and likable, we’re with Eddie the moment he learns he’s adopted. At school when he is teased by bullies about being adopted, his mom coaches him through the situation, which ultimately sets the course of his life with personal empowerment. Over time, Eddie feels a strong “void” and becomes curious about his biological parents, which ultimately leads him to find out more. ADOPTED ED concludes with a section of famous people who were adopted.”

Kamikaze was quiet about the book. Not much expressed, but she gets like that sometimes about things related to adoption. Then later, she will start randomly talking about it, or asking questions.
The kids at the Pre-K liked it a lot. One of the former teachers left last February to adopt a baby (domestically), and she brings the baby in to visit on occasion. So the kids were very interested in “Adopted Ed“, and had lots of questions for me. They asked about Ed, Kamikaze, and the other teacher’s baby.

It was great to have open discussions with the kids, because the more they know, the less likely they will be to say something hurtful to an adopted kid. (Can I tell you how many times people say something very crazy to me, even if they didn’t mean to? Like- “Can’t you have any “real” kids?” Um, Kamikaze is pretty “real”! Nor is she second rate. Or- “But how do you love her when you have “your own” baby?” Good grief, how do you even begin to answer that? ) I have even had people ask me- in front of her- if she knows she is adopted, or if my kids have the same father. Really!

I think this book, and books like it, are a great way to spread word about adoption. Most people don’t really know much about it, and if they understand it, they are less likely to be hurtful about it.
Also, it’s good for adopted kids to have books and stories about kids “like them”. It can be alienating to “be different” from those around you, and it’s great to be able to let them feel connected- there are others out there just like you!

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