As a staunch supporter of adoption, I was excited for the opportunity to review Katie Cruice Smith’s, Why Did You Choose Me? The book itself, however, left me with an unsatisfied feeling. I wanted more.
Although not an adoptive parent or adoptee myself, I have witnessed first hand the depth and beauty of adoption and feel that Why Did you Choose Me failed to capture its intensity.
In defense of Smith, the book is written for children, but nevertheless, I don’t feel even adoptive children reading the book will truly comprehend how uniquely special and impactful the gift of adoption is.
Loved the idea, but the delivery could use some polish.
***The publisher provided a free book. However, all opinions included in this review are entirely my own.
November is National Adoption Month, and we’re celebrating with the Why Did You Choose Me? Saturday Hop and giveaway, hosted by JustRead Tours and Ambassador International! Every Saturday in November, hop along to the different host blogs and enter the great giveaway!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Why Did You Choose Me?
Author: Katie Cruice Smith
Illustrator: Sarah Strickling Jones
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: November 12, 2017
Genre: Children’s Picture Book, Adoption
Most adoptive and foster children struggle at some point in their life with knowing who they are and where they belong. They want to ask questions, and parents need to be prepared with an answer that helps their child feel loved and secure.
After searching for adoption storybooks to read to her own adopted children, Katie Cruice Smith decided that there was a need for more books that parents could read at bedtime to connect with their adopted and fostered children.
In Why Did You Choose Me?, Katie Cruice Smith answers that question in a way that young children can understand. Drawing from her own experience as an adoptive mom to three children, Katie uses the questions her own children have asked to help them see there never really was a choice she knew right away that they were hers.
With beautiful illustrations by artist Sarah Strickling Jones, Why Did You Choose Me? lovingly demonstrates the uniqueness that each child brings to a family.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Ambassador International
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katie Cruice Smith is a freelance writer, journalist, and editor, and she resides in the Upstate of South Carolina with her husband and three adopted children. Katie is an adoption and foster care advocate, and she and husband are licensed foster parents and the founders of their church’s orphan ministry. She is currently working on a devotional book to accompany Why Did You Choose Me?
CONNECT WITH KATIE: website | Facebook | Twitter
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Sarah Strickling Jones enjoys working with oils, acrylics, ceramics, and printmaking. She creates her artwork and teaches students of all ages from her country home. She lives in Greer, South Carolina, with her husband Darren and four children: Trevor, Peyton, Blake, and Renea. Why Did You Choose Me? is Sarah Strickling Jones’ first illustrated children’s book in watercolor.
CONNECT WITH SARAH: Facebook
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive
- a print copy of Why Did You Choose Me?
- “For This Child I Prayed” ornament (more info HERE)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 3, 2018 and last through 11:59pm December 1, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead for a full list of stops/dates!
