As one who has served adoptive families for a decade, I've had countless parents ask me, "How do I talk to my children about adoption?" Now, after all these years, I finally have a go-to answer: "Read Katie Cruice Smith's Why Did You Choose Me? to them, over and over."
Dan Cruver, Co-founder of Together for Adoption, Author of Reclaiming Adoption
Most adoptive and foster children struggle at some point in their life with knowing who they are and where they belong.
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 to connect with their adopted and fostered children and address these struggles.
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.
Why Did You Choose Me? lovingly demonstrates the uniqueness that each child brings to a family, and is a valuable resource for adoptive and foster families to have in their home.
Endorsements
Why Did You Choose Me? explores a familiar adoption theme, but is pleasantly unpredictable. The illustrations are sure to put a smile on your child's face, and your own. Though the book is written in rhyme, the verse is not sing-songy and the book has just enough sophistication to be enjoyed by everyone.
Dr. Daniel Nehrbass, President of Nightlight Christian Adoptions
Why Did You Choose Me? is a perfectly simple way to make any adopted child feel like they are exactly where they need to be! When our daughter asks why we chose her to be a part of our family, even though she looks different than us, this book will be invaluable to communicate our love for her.
Shannon Patterson, Adoptive mom and President of Bethany Christian Services Board in Greenville, SC
As a foster parent myself, I believe Why Did You Choose Me? is the perfect emotional journey to answering the very sensitive question all foster/adoptive children want to know and would recommend families add it to their library.
Robert Whitney, Thornwell Foster Care Recruiter
As any adoptive parent will tell you, our adopted children do ask many times, "Why did you choose me?" Now my clients who adopt have a fun and colorful resource to touch on and answer this all-important question. Katie Cruice Smith and Sarah Strickling Jones have prepared a learning tool adaptable to a child's early years, which allows an adopted child and her parents to connect on different levels with the topic of adoption. Your child will laugh and smile while learning about adoption, love, and acceptance. I will be buying Why Did You Choose Me? for all my adoptive couples!
Raymond W. Godwin, Father of two adopted daughters and adoption lawyer in Greenville, SC, Co-author of The Complete Adoption Book
Why Did You Choose Me? is tender, genuine, and refreshing, and it does this adoptive mom's heart and soul some good. Our daughter, from India, is now asking this very same question proposed in the book. This thoughtfully written and charmingly illustrated book is a great reminder to her of how special and unique she is, and it is a great reminder to her mom (me) of the beautiful gift of adoption. Any family, adopting or not, will be blessed by this sweet story.
Kelly Parkison, Adoptive mom and author of He Knows Her Name
Jones, Sarah Strickling: - 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.
Smith, Katie Cruice: - 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 her 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?
