What happens when your child doesn't speak your native language? How do you maintain cultural traditions while living outside your native country? And how can you raise a child with two cultures without fracturing his/her identity? From our house to your house - to the White House - more and more mothers are facing questions such as these. Whether through intercultural marriage, international adoption or peripatetic lifestyles, families these days are increasingly multicultural. In this collection, women around the world, such as Xujun Eberlein, Violet Garcia-Mendoza, Rose Kent, Sefi Atta, Christine Holhbaum, Saffia Farr, and others, ponder the unique joys and challenges of raising children across two or more cultures. Suzanne Kamata's short work has appeared in over 100 publications. She is the author of a novel, LOSING KEI, and a picture book, PLAYING FOR PAPA, both of which concern bicultural families. She is also the editor of two previous anthologies - THE BROKEN BRIDGE: Fiction from Expatriates in Literary Japan and LOVE YOU TO PIECES: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs, and is currently fiction editor of "Literary Mama." Born and raised in Michigan and most recently from South Carolina, she now lives in rural Japan with her Japanese husband and bicultural twins.

Adoption doesn't end when the papers are signed -- not for the birth mother, not for the adoptive mother and not for the adopted child. It is a decision with consequences that last a lifetime. While there are many wonderful books on how to adopt, when to adopt, making an adoption plan, and the like, ADOPTION IS FOREVER is at times humorous, sometimes gut-wrenching, but always honest. "A refreshingly new look at adoption," reviews Roger H. Rubin, Ph.D.

Adopting a child can be an exciting and anxious time in prospective parents' lives. There are rooms to decorate and clothes and toys to buy. There are many preparations to make before welcoming the new arrival. In "Before You Finalize the Adoption-The Pre-Adoption Workbook," author Joyce Vrooman provides advice and information for parents who are thinking about adopting a child.

Based on personal experience, Vrooman developed this workbook to guide parents through the adoption process to ensure they are knowledgeable and informed. In addition, Vrooman discusses information that parents need to know so the child will receive the proper counseling, therapy, medical treatments, or educational assistance.

Loaded with an array of helpful details, "Before You Finalize the Adoption-The Pre-Adoption Workbook" contains forms, checklists, worksheets, and questionnaires to help adoptive parents learn everything about their new child prior to the finalization of the adoption. All information pertaining to this child and their adoption is contained in one book.

"I didn't know if I could be a mother. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to be a mother. Nothing in my upbringing seemed to support motherhood." So begins Corinne Chateau's odyssey to claim the mother in herself and embark upon an unexpected journey that will lead her to a child in the distant Republic of Georgia.The Road to Cali is about not giving up. It is the story of a rescue--of both a child and oneself.

A Dress for Anna: The Redemption of the Life of a Ukrainian Orphan tells the fascinating story of how God led Deborah and Rob Amend to adopt a handicapped preschooler from an orphanage in Ukraine, and intricately knit her into their family. Beginning with the circumstances that opened their hearts to adoption, continuing through the entire process, and culminating with the difficult adjustments for Anna as she experiences life in a new culture, this book honestly shares the struggles, grief, and joy the Amend family faced as they followed God down the rocky path of international adoption.

This powerful narrative not only provides readers with a clear understanding of the often challenging aspects of adoption, particularly for special needs children, it also offers inspiration by illustrating just how much an average, ordinary family can do when listening to God and following His call.

"Children of Dreams" is borne out of Lorilyn Roberts' shattered dreams. The inspiring story of turning stolen dreams into life-changing hope not only for her but two destitute children will bring tears to the reader as he identifies with her feelings of insecurity and fear. The timeless theme of God's faithfulness-the stuff out of which God brings redemption-will leave the reader riveted to the pages of this book. "Children of Dreams" is more than an adoption story set in the remotest regions of the planet. Facing insurmountable odds-communist blockades, life-threatening illness, betrayal and deceit-Lorilyn Roberts' courage and determination never to give up will touch the reader. Despair transformed into heavenly joy and evil overcome by God's redemptive love will inspire even the most skeptical to believe in miracles. "Children of Dreams" resonates with Biblical truth at a deep level and in a sense is everyone's story. Timeless in nature, "Children of Dreams" is sure to be a favorite adoption story for years to come. Ms. Roberts is intimately familiar with adoption, having also been adopted as a child, and is able to present the spirit of adoption, as never before captured, in this tender story. Comparing the adoption of her daughters to her adoption by the heavenly Father throughout the story flows naturally.

John Sonego and his partner, Michael, had always wanted to start a family. Little did they know they would become the fathers of not one, not two, but three precious boys.

"My Three Sons" shares the heartwarming true story of this incredible family. Born to a drug-addicted mother and taken from her after a string of arrests, the three biological brothers come to their new home to begin a new life. With John and Michael's unconditional love and acceptance, the five became an instant family, learning to lean on each other for the support and devotion only a family can give.

Poignant and funny, heartbreaking and inspiring, "My Three Sons" recounts one family's life and reaffirms the transformative power of love in children's lives.

""This is the story of five very lucky people, three brothers and the two men who raise them. The story of how this family came to be is inspirational but it's more than that. It reminds us of one simple and powerful truth - that in raising children, it is often difficult to determine who is the teacher and who is the student. John's journey is proof that in parenting you get as much as you give.""

-Joan Garry, former executive director of GLAAD, activist, and parent

AUTHOR BIO
John Sonego is an author, adjunct professor, and consultant serving internationally respected health, education, and advocacy organizations. He writes about social, spiritual and family issues as a Midwesterner, progressive Christian, national gay advocate, adoptive parent, and active citizen of the broader community. Sonego received a BA from the University of Michigan and a MA from the University of Santa Monica. He and his family live in Hollywood, California.

"Psychology of Orphans" is written by Dr. Lyudmila Shipitsyna Rector of the Institute of Special Education and Psychology Saint-Petersburg, Russia. She has a Doctorate in Science and Biology and works as an honored professor in this specialty in the Russian Federation. Considered an expert and pioneer in this field in Russia, she has authored over 400 publications. Today these books have formed the foundation in teaching on special education within Russia and beyond. "Psychology of Orphans" is the combination of written theory with the clinical practice and experience of dealing with orphans, adoptions and families.

"Psychology of Orphans" was written as a resource book for students, researchers, academics and professionals. Those who work with orphans and families with special needs children affected by social and psychological problems will find "Psychology of Orphans" invaluable.

Any potential adoptive parent needs to know the research and conclusions that "Psychology of Orphans" reveals. Question on children's behaviors and actions are answered presenting a better understanding of those from state institutions.

The exciting fact that sets "Psychology of Orphans" apart from other books is that the research obtained is for the first time based from within Russia.

A Foster-Adoption Story tells the story of a brother and sister experiencing abuse, neglect, multiple foster care moves, sibling separation, and eventually adoption. The goal of this workbook is to open the door to discuss difficult topics; issues like abuse, neglect, birth parents, and loyalty conflicts. It can be used as an aid in helping children heal; one that allows them to read about "kids like me." Youngsters can color the pictures as they wish and share their feelings as they go along. This workbook will be a useful therapeutic tool to help children process their experiences and grief along the path to healing.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'A remarkable autobiography' Andrew Billen, The Times 'You're struck by his raw honesty in tackling big issues head-on' Tom Bryant, Daily Mirror 'So full of heart' Davina McCall 'I was riveted by it in a heartbreaking way . . . you will be gripped' Ranvir Singh, Lorraine 'So moving . . . it's a beautiful book' Zoe Ball 'Commendable honesty . . . a poignant book about the search for belonging' Daily Express 'Remarkable . . . contains a lesson for all of us and delivers a resounding message of hope and of love' James O'Brien ************* The brave and moving memoir by Long Lost Family presenter and Radio 5 breakfast show host Nicky Campbell reveals how the simple unconditional love of Maxwell, his Labrador, turned his life around and helped him come to terms with his difficult journey as an adopted child. Raw, honest and courageous in One of the Family, Nicky opens up about how being adopted has made him always feel like an outsider; the guilt he has carried towards his Mum and Dad for needing to trace his birth mother, and the crushing disappointment he felt when he finally met her. And for the first time, he writes about his emotional breakdown and how he has learned to live with a late diagnosis of bipolar. Through it all his passion for dogs and animals has been a lifeline. It is Maxwell's magic, a lesson from a Labrador in simple unconditional friendship, that has allowed him to see all the good in his life: from the security and safety of his childhood home, the love of his wife and four daughters and above all, to better understand the decisions taken by his birth mother to give him up for adoption.

Wanted:Home for baby boy, aged 1 month, complete surrender. In late 1942, that advert was placed in the Reading Mercury. Two weeks later, on the deserted platform of Reading railway station, a young couple who had read the advert were to fleetingly meet the mother of this baby boy as she passed the child over to them. The reasons for the surrender of her child were never explained. The boy, Dave Sharp, grew up happily, never knowing the full story of his parentage. But a chance discovery some sixty years later was to set him on a quest to uncover the truth behind his mysterious abandonment. This search would lead to shocking and uncomfortable revelations, both for Dave and for the family that he discovered. Not only was Dave, a bricklayer by trade, to be united with the brother he never knew he had, world-famous novelist Ian McEwan, but the two men were to discover a shared history and a relationship closer than they could ever have imagined.

A father's journal of his 2 week trip to China with his wife and daughter to adopt their 2nd child is captured from the daily email's he sent to friends and family.

Aching to expand from a couple to a family, Jeff Gammage--a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer--and his wife, Christine, embarked upon a journey that would carry them across a shifting landscape of emotion and through miles of red tape and bureaucratic protocol. On the other side of the world--in the smog-choked city of Changsha in Hunan Province--a silent, stoic little girl was waiting for them: Jin Yu, their new daughter. Now they would have to learn how to fully embrace a life altered beyond recognition by new concerns and responsibilities--and by a love unlike any they'd ever felt before.

Alive with insight and feeling, China Ghosts is an eye-opening depiction of the foreign adoption process and a remarkable glimpse into a different culture. Most important, it is a poignant, heartfelt, and intensely intimate chronicle of the making of a family.

"I am Robert, but once I had another name. As an infant I was held and loved by two women, one who would give me up, and another who raised me and loved me more than life itself. I suppose I should consider myself blessed to have been loved by two mothers when most of us get only one, and some none." Who am I, where did I come from? Why do I feel lost, incomplete, and isolated? These questions haunted my for my entire life growing stronger as time passed by. I finally chose to find my answers and this is my story. It's about my methodology, how it changed me, and who I became at its final destination. Not Remembered Never Forgotten is an examination of the resolution of an adoptee's emotional memories and the search for the authentic self. Not knowing his name at birth, and barred by archaic secrecy laws that seal adoption records forever, the author searched back through fifty years of his past to find the truth that would redefine the essence of who he is.

A true love story that will touch your heart
~A soulful and heart-filled story that doesn't shy away from the often harsh, heartbreaking realities of adoption; a must for potential parents in preparation for the adoption process.~ Karen H, LSW former adoption counselor and hospice counselor
~It is an absolutely amazing weave of many facets of the adoption journey; raw, honest, and deeply touching. You truly have reached the 'soul'; of the adoption triad. I feel so privileged to be a part of your amazing story!~ Lori Teeter, BSW, Adoption Counselor
~This book offers real feelings and thoughts from an adoptee perspective, but it also offers serious feelings, challenges, questions, and the emotional ups and downs that anyone who is thinking about adopting goes through.~ Sharon Bumbarger, parent and fellow adopter.

Martin was only 7 years old when he arrived in Canada in 1892, with a contingent of young British orphans. Not only did the young boy just lose his father, but this death had brought about the dismantling of his whole family and, when he emigrated to another country, this enhanced his feeling of being a bird "fallen from the nest."

His adoptive parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Vzina of Ste Genevive de Batiscan were warm-hearted, and they did all they could to recreate for him a happy home, which greatly helped the young immigrant to slip into his new life. But, so many obstacles strew his path!

First, he had to learn French and then be accepted by his schoolmates, some of whom considered the arrival of this newcomer as a threat. And this was just the beginning!

As an adoptive parent, or someone considering adoption, you are making a leap of faith into a world of endless joys and challenges. A world of mystery and awe. A sacred world. When you adopt a child, hearts open. Deep feelings are stirred. Things happen that leave you shaking your head in wonder. Everyone is touched by something magical, something bigger than all of us. Many call it God. Others call it spirit, or the holy, or the divine. Others have no name for it, but they know it's present. This guided journal will help you capture and preserve everything about this wondrous time. Simple phrases will prompt you to remember, to record, and to savor your most important memories and experiences at every step along the way, leaving you with a treasured keepsake for you and your child. This book will serve as a perfect guide for any parent(s) adopting a child of any age, through a domestic or international adoption. It also serves as a valued gift for anyone at any stage of the adoption journey.

From the Author of "Adopting A Toddler," Denise Hoppenhauer brings you "Adopting a Daughter from China." Written for first time parents, the practical advice offered here combines the challenging aspects of parenthood, with personal experience and the unique needs of adoptive families. This easy to read, book covers every aspect of adopting from China: preparing the nursery, changing a name, the baby wardrobe, child development, selecting a pediatrician, child safety, feeding baby, the wait, packing for your trip, travel to China, early days together, pre and post-adoption resources, and more. "Even better than the first, the combination of Denise's research and experience as an adoptive parent makes "Adopting a Daughter from China," a must read for first time parents." Mary Mooney, Executive Director, Adoption Guides "Once again Denise provides practical, down-to-earth information for parents wishing to adopt, this time for those wanting a daughter from China. Her style is easy and enjoyable to read, her tips are excellent and her information well-researched." Anne R. Hughes, Executive Director, Beacon House Adoption Services, Inc. Denise Harris Hoppenhauer is the Author of "Adopting A Toddler: What Size Shoes Does She Wear?." She is the Executive Director of Adobaby, LLC, Adoption Consultants and Dossier Assistance. The Author is donating 10% of her proceeds to organizations that aid orphaned children.

At age 22, the author set out to find her English birth parents, a Jewish father and a mother believed to be an artist. The adventure led to parents, grandparents, and siblings, a kaleidoscope of relationships with one dark secret at its center. As an adoptive child in Britain, playwright Nicole J. Burton always wanted to find her birth parents. After immigrating with her adoptive family to the United States, she pursued the elusive characters haunting her imagination. With an appointment with one of Her Majesty's social workers and her birth mother's name in hand, she returned home to Britain. There she began a search that led to more drama than any play she could possibly conceive.

"IF I LOVE MY KID ENOUGH: THE REALITY OF RAISING AN ADOPTED CHILD" is based on the true story of Bethany. Adopted in infancy, she showed the promise of the perfect child. But early on there were indications that hers might not be a "happily ever after story." The book traces Bethany's erratic development and her family's attempts to find answers for her troublesome behavior. Parents of all children can benefit from studying the lessons of Bethany's life. In telling this one story, the authors provide both the parents' and therapist's points of view while probing the latest research on the early critical stages of development. This emphasis helps families focus on strengthening attachment so that they can provide the structure their children need to become mature and responsible adults. Also included are valuable strategies and resources for finding help when concerns arise.

Witness God's Handiwork...A Masterpiece of Joy
Does God really hear and answer very specific prayers? Can He really bring us from the depths of despair and bless us beyond belief? The answer to these questions is a resounding "yes" This story details the journey of one couple from the agonizing despair of infertility to the joy of open adoption.
. Are you facing infertility?
. Is someone you love walking through this devastating ordeal?
. Have you considered open adoption, but still have uncertainties?
. Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering your options?
. Are there trials in your life that just seem impossible to overcome?
As you read this book, you will walk with the author through the darkness of disbelief, sorrow, anger, bitterness and hopelessness. You will be amazed as the pieces of a puzzle emerge and God miraculously joins them together. You will rejoice as the darkness fades and joy arrives with the dawn. You will marvel at the masterpiece. And your faith will be strengthened.