What is adoption? Adoption World Specialties handles this difficult question for kids in the new foster and adoption memory book, “My Growing World”. This lifebook is full of whimsical characters that help children engage and enjoy working through their life’s journey. Many children’s lives have been so difficult that “My Growing World” is a necessary means of therapy.

Piper the pig, Elley the elephant, BeeBear, Linus the giraffe, Hairy, and Fuzzyhead are characters in this memory book for foster children and kids that are adopted after foster experiences. Piper and all of the characters have had foster and adoption stories. This book has a special page about “moving day” which is most usually a traumatic and confusing day for children. Other special pages for child expression are “birth family tree” and “adoptive family tree”, “memories of foster homes”, “memories of adoption day” and many more sensitive subjects that are expounded upon for child therapy. The foster or adoptive parents and/or social workers are also easily engrossed in this beautiful book of artwork and therapeutic messaging. Each child’s story is different. Each adult that touches their life has a unique perspective. “My Growing World” caters to that important fact and allows for personal expression.

In addition to bibliotherapy, there are wonderful arts and crafts for the child. Dot-to-dots, musical motions (the child is asked to find a song they love and something to draw with and draw how the music makes them feel), coloring pages, mazes, word finds, and even a special list of child-friendly recipes. This concept for kids is to spend time in the kitchen getting to know their foster or adoptive parents better.

“My Growing World” is just one of Adoption World Specialties’ publications. We have resources for teenagers, social workers, case workers, agencies and more! Visit our main website at AdoptionWorld.net, and discover our world.

Victoria Rowell’s Wedding Celebration

Earlier this week my sister-in-law mailed me an article from the July 12 New York Times. It was about the wedding of Victoria Rowell and Radcliffe Bailey. Victoria is best known for being an actress. She was in “The Young and the Restless” and “Diagnosis Murder”, as well as movies. Victoria is also a child advocate and author.

Victoria spent her childhood in foster care. In 18 years she was with many different families and collected lifelong memories from each. She shares her experiences in her book, “The Women Who Raised Me”.

In the article from the Times, her relationship with her husband is discussed as well as the beautiful ceremony. A group of the foster moms that raised Victoria led the processional into the church. The last foster mom she lived with, Sylvia Silverman, was quoted as saying, “It’s a wonderful union”.

After reading this article, I was intrigued by Ms. Rowell’s life as a foster child and her work with foster children today. I did a search on her name in order to find her website. Here is some information I learned after reviewing her site.

“Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan” was founded by Victoria Rowell in 1990 as a non-profit organization. The group strives to enrich foster children’s lives through artistic expression. The many programs allow children to attain a strong self-image, self-confidence, and a sense of personal achievement. At some of their camps, for example, children are able to reunite with siblings they were separated from when they went into foster care. Her website states that some studies have found that up to 75% of children in foster care are separated from at least one of their siblings when placed in foster care. Another focus of their programs is to promote participation in the fine arts or athletics.

Rowell has also been the national spokesperson for the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s direct service arm, Casey Family Services. She has contributed much in the education and support of foster children. She uses her status as a celebrity to bring awareness about foster care to a national audience.

Ms. Rowell is someone to commend for her achievements in helping children. I recommend you visit her website and read some of the success stories written by foster children who were helped by RFCPP.

www.rowellfosterchildren.org

Victoria truly honors the foster families that raised her by the life she is leading today. AWS wishes her the best in her union with Mr. Bailey.

Animals and Me!

Adoption World Specialties has a plethora of ancillary pieces targeted at foster children and adopted children – or those kids and parents that are in the transition process. One piece from our product line is called “Animals and Me!”.

Often times children in foster care or those that have moved into an adoptive situation have made several animal friends along their lives paths. In some cases the animals in their lives are even more special to them than people. Many children have lived in multiple homes and the trust they’ve gained from human relationships is less than desirable. It is important for the child to keep a memory book dedicated to their animal friends.“Animals and Me!” is a booklet written especially for these animal-loving kids.

An excerpt from this booklet:

“Hi, my name is Gracie and I’m 10 years old. I haven’t always had neighborhood friends to hang out with, but I’ve had a bunch of cool animals around!My favorite was a collie named Lokey. He was wild and fun and lived 2 houses away. Kane was a tiny white puppy across the street. He was so soft and cute! Last time I visited my old neighborhood he was huge! He still remembered me! I mainly love dogs. Bo and Truffle were my dogs I had to say good-bye to. My cat Taz also went away. But now I have 3 cats and a turtle! Animals will always be special to me. I want to be a veterinarian. Maybe YOU have special animals that you can write about in this journal! Have fun!!!”

This adoption memory book allows the child to write about and draw the animals they have met in their life journey. They can write details about their favorite animal friends or pets, and also write about the animals they didn’t like so much. Animals are like people – lots of people are nice, and some don’t seem so nice.

“Animals and Me!” allows the foster parent or adoptive parent to discuss this fact. It touches on the idea of “stranger danger” as it pertains to animals. Animals are often the lure used by strangers to abduct children, and this booklet teaches the value of recognizing such dangers. Another learning tool detailed in this booklet is how to find information about the child’s favorite animals on the computer. There’s a world of information at their fingertips when searching out animal facts… what a great activity for child and parent to do together!

This is a valuable memory book for foster and adoptive children. Please check out the other ancillary pieces, such as “Positive Adoptive Language”, “Foster-to-Adopt Booklet for Child”, “Foster-to-Adopt Booklet for Parent”, and “Family Connections” at www.AdoptionWorld.net – discover our world!