BOOK REVIEW
APANSW (Adoptive Parents Association of New South Wales) – Australia – July 2010
This is a book that should be in the staff library of all schools, preschools and day care centres. The story is of two friends (Alex and Violet) discussing Alex’s adoption and how Violet comes to a better understanding of what adoption is. The language is simple, friendly and self-explanatory to readers of all ages, clearly explaining adoption as one way a family is formed.
The authors list concepts covered as:
- Positive use of adoption language
- Families are formed in different ways
- Children are adopted in many different ways
- Possible reasons for adoption
- Privacy versus secrecy of adoption details
- Adoption does not define who you are as a person
- Adoption is forever
The book includes a section "notes to adults" that educate on how to be sensitive to adoptive families in language used and questions asked. Although some friends have found this section a bit firm in the tone of the text, it is likely because these are the friends and family members who have previously been unknowingly rude and ignorant in the style of their questions and conversations about adoption. The direct language in this section has perhaps been the instigator to less invasive questions and more appropriate adoption language from many friends.
