Adopted Ed by Darren Maddern: A Book Review

November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care.  Did you know that there are 115,000 children and youth in foster care that are hoping and waiting for a family to adopt them?

 

Adopted Ed is a simple, easy-to-read and understand children’s book with important underlying messages of personal empowerment and social pressures and acceptance.   It focuses on the life of Eddie, an adopted little boy, who is just like every other boy and girl. At school, when he is teased by bullies about being adopted, his mom offers words of wisdom, which ultimately gives him self-confidence to deal with the situation.
 
 
Written by Darren Maddern, this story is very close and personal to his heart.  Darren was adopted himself and loves to encourage and empower others with his story.  Adopted Ed is dedicated to both his biological parents and his adopted parents. 
 
Adopted Ed is super cute.  Just looking at those big blue eyes on the cover was enough to put a smile on my face.  Who couldn't love a sweet little face like that?   I absolutely LOVED how the entire book rhymed, page by page!  My daughter, almost 7, noticed it almost immediately!
 

"She told him that adoption is a great act of love.  It's a gift from the Heavens sent down from above.  "I'm adopted, I'm special!" he proclaimed aloud.  Then he said it again and grew very proud."

 

"Life is to be enjoyed, whether you're young or you're old. 

It matters not the cloth we're cut from or even the mold."

 

 

You don't have to be adopted, or even know someone who is adopted to love this story.  Adopted Ed will teach you about being yourself.  It will also teach children to be proud of who they are and where they came from.  We are all special in our own way, often times we forget that.
 
 
On the very last page, there is a list of famous people who have also been adopted.  You just might be surprised, I know I was.  Proving once again, that who you are comes from within! 
 
Adopted Ed has got to be the sweetest book I've read in ages.  The story, message and illustrations (by Erin Fusco) are simply amazing.  Each page is cute and colorful - sure to capture the attention of every child.  I would also have to say that Adopted Ed would make the perfect addition to any family library, school library, classroom and counselor's office.  Not only is the book perfect for bonding, it's also perfect for education.
 
Adopted Ed is the first in a series of children’s books that Darren Maddern has been working on. The second one, Tall Moll, is written in same the style and spirit as Adopted Ed.  In Tall Moll, we will meet sweet Molly, who is just like all the other boys and girls until she encounters a growth spurt and is and foot and half taller than all the other kids.  We call all meet Tall Moll early next year.

 

**I received a copy of Adopted Ed from the One2One Network for the purpose of this review.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  By posting this review, I'm eligible to win a gift card.

A big Thank You to One2One Network and Darren Maddern for sending me this wonderful book!