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Friday, November 19, 2010

Adopted Ed~Book Review

 

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.

This book teaches us that being different is okay and in fact, should be celebrated (“I’m adopted, I’m special,” he proclaimed aloud. Then he said it again and grew very proud.”). This message could not be more applicable for children growing up in today’s environment where bullying – simply because of one’s hair color, race or size - has become a national epidemic.  Adults, just like Eddie’s mom, also need to embrace their responsibility of educating children to help them understand the concepts of tolerance, patience and kindness. Instilling these principles begin at home, which will nurture a child’s self-confidence over time. 

Thus, this book is for everybody - not just those who are adopted - as everybody is different in his or her own way. 

ADOPTED ED is a substantial children’s book in that it cleverly conveys real messages in the reality of today’s world that is filled with social pressures.  Yet, it is communicated in a straightforward, entertaining fashion that even a child can grasp.  While the title suggests that ADOPTED ED is simply a story about an adopted boy named Ed, what it’s really about on a broader scale is one of education. Hence, ADOPTED ED-ucation.

ADOPTED ED concludes with a section of famous people who were adopted.

ADOPTED ED is the first of a series of children’s book. The second one, Tall Molll, is written in same the style and spirit as ADOPTED ED. In TALL MOLL, we meet 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 – – – including the boys. How does she feel about it? How does it affect her and how does she find her moment of empowerment? Meet and discover Molly’s journey in TALL MOLL in early 2011.

About the Author, Darren Maddern:

Darren is just one of the many millions of adopted people throughout the world today.
Born in England, Darren was adopted when he was only 10 days old by Don and Dolly Maddern, an American military couple who were stationed at an American Air Force base just outside of Oxford.
After spending three years in England, the Madderns were transferred to Tehran, Iran where they settled for the next five years and where Darren attended first and second grades. When Darren completed second grade, the Madderns were transferred again, this time to Fayetteville, North Carolina. Shortly after arriving in North Carolina, Darren was naturalized as an American citizen. Three years later, the Madderns moved one last time to Colorado, where Darren spent the rest of his formative years.
The Madderns made the decision to tell Darren he was adopted at an early age.
Like many adoptees, Darren became curious about his birth parents. Sympathetic to the feelings of his adoptive parents, when Darren turned 18, he secretly hired a private investigator to learn the address of his biological grandparents, who were still living in the Oxford area of England. He contacted them through a letter and enclosed a separate letter with the request that it be passed along to his biological mother. Shortly thereafter he received a phone call, and knew immediately who it was from the accent on the other end. This was the first contact with his birth mother.
During the emotional phone call, a plan for a reunion was discussed. However, after giving it serious thought Darren just felt he wasn't emotionally ready. It would be another four years before Darren would make his fateful trip overseas.
A 22 year old more emotionally mature Darren flew back to England to meet both his biological mother and grandparents. The reunion was everything he could have wished for.
At 26, Darren found his biological father and went back again to England to meet him. During this visit he discovered he has two half-brothers.
To this day, Darren still enjoys a close relationship with his British family. He also had an extremely close relationship with his adoptive parents, who always encouraged his journey through life.
Throughout his life Maddern has been asked about being adopted. Through candidly sharing his story, he’s helped many adoptees, parents of adopted children and parents considering adoption.
ADOPTED ED is dedicated to both his adopted and biological parents with a special dedication to his mom, Dolly Maddern who passed away in 2000 and his pops, Don Maddern who joined her in 2009. It's also dedicated to every adopted man, woman and child to remind them that they too are indeed – SPECIAL.

You can follow Adopted Ed on these social media’s, Facebook and Twitter.

You can purchase Adopted Ed here.

 

~I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine.

2 comments:

Rose said...

this sounds like a good book to read. not all but some adopted children have a need to meet their biological parents. i've seen children who located their bio-parents and this went well. others came to a realization upon meeting a bio parent that those parents couldn't provide for them. this can give some closure. rose

Anonymous said...

Adopted Ed is a wonderful children’s book that contains important underlying messages of social acceptance, yet is simple to read and understand. We follow the journey of little Eddie, who is just like every other child, except that he is adopted. When he is teased by a bully at school, his mom helps him deal with the situation, which boosts Eddie’s self-confidence and empowers him along the way. This book is not just for a child, nor is it just for adoptees…..it’s for everybody, young and old. The illustrations are also so amazing and bring the characters to life. I highly recommend this book!