Who are my birthparents? Is it okay to think about them? Can I care about all of my parents at once?

A Place in My Heart tells the simple story of Charlie, a chipmunk adopted by a family of squirrels, who starts to wonder about his birthparents. At first he is scared that this might upset his family but feels much better when he talks to his mother. The story reassures children that it is okay to ask questions about their birthparents without upsetting their "forever" (adoptive) parents.

This fully illustrated picture book for adopted children aged 2-5 gives you an opportunity to discuss adoption, birthparents, and the fact that our hearts are big enough to hold everyone we care about.

This classic illustrated picture book for adopted children aged 2-5 will help adoptive families talk about adoption, birthparents, and sharing feelings

About the Author
Mary Grossnickle was a foster child and was adopted when she was three. She has worked in the field of adoption and foster care for the past 15 years, providing information, training and support to adoptive and foster families. Mary has received the prestigious "Champion of Adoption Award," which recognizes a professional who is an advocate for children who joined a "forever family" through adoption. Currently, Mary works with the Coalition for Children, Youth and Families, an organization that provides support for adoptive and foster families and the professionals who serve them, Milwaukee USA.

Reviews
This charming and realistic book helps children learn to talk about their feelings rather than act out. Charlie has big feelings about adoption, identity and birth parents and acts out his feelings. He is helped by his adopted mother to express his feelings in a positive way including an art project. The children I have used this book with love him and love doing the project. -- Regina M. Kupecky, social worker at The Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio, co-author of Adopting The Hurt Child, Parenting the Hurt child, A Foster-Adoption Story: Angela and Michael's Journey and The Case of the Multiple Mothers
I consider A Place In My Heart one of the very best books for young adopted children (and their parents) because it demonstrates how to make it 'OK' for children to hold their feelings and connections for both of their 'real' families: their birth parents and their adoptive parents. No surprise the book was written by an adult adoptee - she really 'gets it!' -- Beth Hall, Director, Pact An Adoption Alliance www.pactadopt.org , author of Inside Transracial Adoption
This story... highlights that you may not have an answer to all your child's questions, but if you can hold their emotions and be by their side, they can live without these answers. -- Youth in Mind
A Place in My Heart is neither over nor understated in its dealings with adoption. The soft illustrations are well incorporated into the text and greatly enhance the narrative... It is evident that Mary Grossnickle is writing from experience. This is a comforting guide for parents and children alike who are dealing with adoption. -- Sasha Jawed * The School Librarian (SL) *



Book Information
ISBN 9781849057714
Author Alison Relyea
Format Hardback
Page Count 36
Imprint Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Weight(grams) 310g
Dimensions(mm) 260mm * 208mm * 10mm