A is for Alphabet and [endangered] Animals

TheDaughter recently checked out two of the cutest library books. Alphabet Cityby Stephen T Johnson is made up of painted pictures of alphabet letters found naturally in the city. Much like that widely circulated email of alphabet letters found in natural environments, only the email was camera pictures and Johnson painted his. The other book is Gone Wild (Caldecott Honor Book) by David McLimans. After reading this book TheDaughter was so concerned for the endangered animals that she wanted to know what we could do to stop people from continuing the destruction. "I don't want these animals to be extinct like dinosaurs", she said. Luckily at the end of the book there are websites that you can read and donate to and some that list ways to help, from picking up litter to writing government officials. The list:

http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/Endangered/
http://www.worldwildlife.org
http://www.wildaid.org
http://www.kidsplanet.org
http://www.sierraclub.org
http://www.iucn.org
http://www.stopextinction.org
http://www.nature.org
http://www.earthtrust.org
http://www.conservation.org

Because the letters are untraditional, both books are challenging enough for kids who already know their alphabet by sight. The pictures are colorful and high contrast for babies and toddlers but interesting enough to hold a preschooler and on ups attention. Even adults will appreciate the creativity and information. Another cute book about endangered animals is Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Board Book by Bill Martin, Jr and Illustrated by Eric Carle.

The Adoption Resource Book

Tonight I finally finished reading The Adoption Resource Book, 4th edition: 4th Edition by Lois Gilman. I highly recommend this book for anyone considering adopting. It's so informative and I took so many notes that I should have just purchased a copy. I read the 3rd edition, but there is now an updated 4th edition. Listed below are some of the nuggets of wisdom I wanted to remember.

"You grew inside a woman, just like all babies do, but not inside me."

"Sometimes people cant take care of the children they give birth to, so other parents raise them. That's how you came into our family."

"Your [birth]mother couldn't take care of any child at that time."

pg 56 "With MAPP you have the opportunity to try on the foster parent dress or the adoptive parent dress and decide whether you need to make alterations ahead of time." says adoption expert Toni Oliver

pg 170 "Describe yourself, your occupation, and your interest in children, and how long you have wanted to adopt. If your extended family supports your adoption decision, say so. Include photo of yourself, your family, and your house."

pg 257 "Recognize what is happening. Seek out supports. Be sure to leave some time for yourself. Do what you feel you can; leave what can wait until tomorrow."

"Adolescence is a time for self-discovery and questioning. A time when youngsters contemplate who they are, who you are, what makes you alike and different, what others think of them, and what gives you authority. It is a time when they think about how life might have been different for them and when they attempt to put some distance between themselves and their parents, asserting their independence. Thus it is a time of emotional vulnerability and one when some youngsters will crave additional information and desire to search for their birth parents."

*originally posted at my old site*