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Title: A Very Special Child
Author: Debra Shiveley Welch
Publisher: Saga Books
Publish Date: 2005
ISBN: 9781894936422
Genre: Family/Children/Inspirational
Book Size: 52 pages
Reviewer: Deborah Porter
Available Through:
Author's Website
Amazon.com
"I firmly believe that
I have received the same child
I was meant to receive,
whether I gave birth
or adopted.
The same soul,
the same entity,
was meant to be mine
from the beginning
of time"
With these words, Debra Shiveley Welch opens the door of her heart and invites readers, both young and old, into the life of her family--a family created and joined together by God's loving grace.
A Very Special Child is a tiny treasure of a book, with a wonderful message for adopted children. Yet, it is so much more than that. There is also much to delight and bless every parent and grandparent. In that respect, this book is a little hard to categorize, but that is part of its charm. It offers something for everyone.
For children, there is a heartwarming story of how God heard the prayers of a childless couple and created one very special boy to be their own. Each page of this simple story tells of God's joy in making this precious child as a gift for the husband and wife who had been longing for a baby for so long.
What is particularly beautiful about this story is that the author did not skim over the birth mother's role. In fact, it is very honoring, and I found the depiction of God's comfort and love toward the frightened, young girl incredibly moving. In fact, it brought me to tears.
The illustrations throughout are delightfully ethereal, and work perfectly with this lovely story. There is an infusion of light and life that flows out of every page.
But that's not all. In addition to the story for children, the author has also included a selection of essays and poems, which joyfully celebrate the gift of parenthood.
The essence of this lovely little book can best be summed up in the words of the author in one of her writings to her son, in which she said, I have never left Nursery Nirvana." That blissful contentment of motherhood radiates through every word, and cannot fail to bless even the most frazzled parent. The love of this mother for her son is inspirational.
A Very Special Child really is a must have for any family blessed by God, through adoption, with a son or daughter. It is uplifting, heartwarming, moving and honoring from start to finish.
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