This simple and beautifully illustrated story is about an adopted little boy and his journey through his early years. Sensitive and likable, we’re with Eddie the moment he learns he’s adopted. At school when he is teased by bullies about being adopted, his mom coaches him through the situation, which ultimately sets the course of his life with personal empowerment. Over time, Eddie feels a strong "void" and becomes curious about his biological parents, which ultimately leads him to find out more. ADOPTED ED concludes with a section of famous people who were adopted.
Such a lovely book that helps children understand adoption and the trials that sometimes go with it. It is approached with love and honesty and helps to reassure the child that they are where they belong, regardless of where they started.
Did you know that November was National Adoption Month? What an important, life-changing event to celebrate. Adoption has become a topic that's been brought to our attention the last few years by so many celebrities who have adopted children into their homes. But, adoption has been a part of our culture for many years. I have always been so proud and fascinated by those who can put so much time and energy into pursuing adoption. There are so many children, of all ages, needing homes. They long for a loving family to take them in and 'give them a life'.
I applaud those who have the resources to be able to adopt. I absolutely adore children and would have a house full of them, if it were possible.
I thank each of you that has taken in a child or children and those who are planning to adopt. I wish you well and ask that God bless you and your family.
About the Author
DARREN MADDERN
ADOPTED ED bio |
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.
I was given the opportunity to take part in the National Adoption month by reviewing this book. It was provided to me, as a member, by the One2One Network. All opinions are my own.
