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Summary: This Book is a Gift!
Review: " LifeBooks have been used in public adoptions for quite a while but it is a gift for us that Beth O'Malley- an adoptee and adoption social worker- has taken the challenge of helping ALL families to give their children and them selves a container that will help to hold the past and weave the child's past into his or her present and that of new families. Beth is the best one for this task as her sensitivity, wisdom, and creativity bring depth of perception and clearness of vision to the difficult task of telling hard but true strories to children. This books and its accoutrements are a gift for adoptive and birth families and for professionals( therapists, social workers, adoption agencies, and attorneys) Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, CEO Center for Family Connections, Cambridge and New York 2/27/00
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Summary: Lifebooks Creating A Treasure For The Adopted Child
Review: As an adoptive parent and an adoption educator, I have looked at many, many books and other sources on the topic of "creating a lifebook." This book is by far the most enlightened, meaningful and relevant book out there. I have already bought several copies for my friends and for our homstudy agency. Most so called lifebooks focus on scrapbooking concepts. This is the only one I have found that talks about CONTENT. Not only what to write about, but WHY certain information needs to be included. It's really a "How-to on Lifebooks" AND a "Talking About Adoption" book rolled into one. The author has a a gift (and a unique and credible perspective) for synthesizing this critical and delicate topic into a clear and actionable tool for adoptive families. I have been putting off creating a lifebook for my two internationally adopted children for the last three years because the task seemed so daunting. After reading this book I was actually excited about getting started. Best of all I did it -and I urge any adoptive parent to buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Lifebooks Creating A Treasure For The Adopted Child
Review: As an adoptive parent and an adoption educator, I have looked at many, many books and other sources on the topic of "creating a lifebook." This book is by far the most enlightened, meaningful and relevant book out there. I have already bought several copies for my friends and for our homstudy agency. Most so called lifebooks focus on scrapbooking concepts. This is the only one I have found that talks about CONTENT. Not only what to write about, but WHY certain information needs to be included. It's really a "How-to on Lifebooks" AND a "Talking About Adoption" book rolled into one. The author has a a gift (and a unique and credible perspective) for synthesizing this critical and delicate topic into a clear and actionable tool for adoptive families. I have been putting off creating a lifebook for my two internationally adopted children for the last three years because the task seemed so daunting. After reading this book I was actually excited about getting started. Best of all I did it -and I urge any adoptive parent to buy this book!
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Summary: Finally, help to write a lifebook!
Review: As an adoptive parent, I applaud Beth O'Malley for helping take what can feel like a daunting task and making it very possible. She provides simple direct quidance that helps interject charm, sensitivity and warm stories about your child and their personality into their life story - assuring that your child will love having a book of their very own life. I am confident it is something that my daughter will always treasure. I have recommended it to all the other adoptive parents that I know!
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Summary: Very helpful to adoptive parents
Review: As with some other great adoption books on the market, I wish this one had existed when our child was small. She is now 34 years old and a mother, and I still wish to create a lifebook for/with her using O'Malley's wonderful guide. But it's never too late! I will make sure that my friends, who have adopted children, will have a copy of this delightful book.Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?
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Summary: You Owe It to Yourself and Your Child
Review: Beth O'Malley understands adoption, both from her perspective as an adoptee and from her many years in working with adoptive families. Her experience, understanding and compassion shine through in this helpful, step-by-step guide. Beth walks with you through the process, and makes even the toughest questions seem easy to handle. Don't delay. You owe it to yourself and your child to get this book and start creating your child's lifebook.
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Summary: Lifebook Inspiration
Review: Beth O'Malley's book is an inspiration to any family born through adoption. I never had a clear understanding of what a lifebook is until reading her book. I adopted my daughter from China in 1997 and had yet to write her lifebook. When I received the book, I read it in one sitting and immediately began to write the text for my daughter's lifebook! Finally! The information I sought was described and formatted in easy to follow directions. My daughter's lifebook is almost completed. I highly recommend this book to ALL families that have children born to their family through adoption. The lifebook story has made a significant impact on my daughter and brought up many opportunities for us to discuss birthparents and her feelings about her birthfamily. You won't be disappointed with this purchase!
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Summary: Lifebook Inspiration
Review: Beth O'Malley's book is an inspiration to any family born through adoption. I never had a clear understanding of what a lifebook is until reading her book. I adopted my daughter from China in 1997 and had yet to write her lifebook. When I received the book, I read it in one sitting and immediately began to write the text for my daughter's lifebook! Finally! The information I sought was described and formatted in easy to follow directions. My daughter's lifebook is almost completed. I highly recommend this book to ALL families that have children born to their family through adoption. The lifebook story has made a significant impact on my daughter and brought up many opportunities for us to discuss birthparents and her feelings about her birthfamily. You won't be disappointed with this purchase!
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Summary: An absolute must!
Review: Beth O'Malley's LifeBooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child is a pure joy to read. Vital information is presented in a touching and personal manner that makes you feel as if Beth is right there with you, guiding you through the process. You will see that a LifeBook can have an immeasurable, positive impact on a child's identity, self-esteem and perception of family. Particularly for a child who is removed from birth family due to neglect or abuse, a LifeBook can help the child come to peace with their past and provides a solid foundation for them to look towards the future. I believe Beth's book is essential reading for everyone involved in adoption and foster care. Carolyn E. Smith, Executive Director, Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange
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Summary: Couldn't be better
Review: Beth's book helped me tremendously. it was a great step by step way to create a personal life book for my daughter. The way it is organized allowed me to be creative, yet follow specific guidelines so that the entire process wasn't so ovewhelming. Beth is very creative and also very sensitive to many apoption issues. It is clear that she has alot of background in this field. Her book is the reason I finished this very important book for my daughter, after years of trying to do it and not getting very far.
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