Children’s Bookwatch reviews Amanda’s Fall

The Health Shelf

Amanda’s Fall: A Story for Children About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Kelly Bouldin Darmofal, author
Bijan Samaddar, illustrator
9781615994502 $26.95 hc / $15.95 pbk / $4.95 Kindle

Amanda's Fall

Amanda’s Fall

Amanda’s Fall” is a story for children about traumatic brain injury, with special information for parents, teachers, and caregivers. Written by a survivor of TBI who became an advocate for TBI survivors, “Amanda’s Fall” is written in cheerful verse and illustrated with brightly colored cartoons. Amanda is a seven year old girl who suffers a mild TBI in the course of normal play when her head encounters a rock while rolling down a hill. She does not lose consciousness, but loses the ability to speak clearly. Her teacher is able to help her by calling an ambulance and her parents, and she is evaluated at the hospital. She was diagnosed with concussion or mild TBI, and Amanda and her parents received more information about the features of TBI and ways to prevent problems and to work with results of TBI. In addition to the story for kids, there is also information for parents and caregiver on TBI, its causes, signs, and symptoms, related facts to know, and a relevant study of head injuries in young football players at Wake Forest Baptist Health. There is also a list of 12 tips for TBI survivors under A Few Tips for Coping with TBI, plus tips for friends and caregivers and teachers of TBI survivors. A list of resources includes books for parents, teachers, caregivers, and children, and helpful website links. “Amanda’s Fall” is an excellent resource for children and adults about dealing with traumatic brain injury.

Children’s Bookwatch: October 2019
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575

We're All Not the Same, But We're Still Family

978-1-61599-478-6
$13.95
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-478-6
Brand: Loving Healing Press
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Author: Theresa Fraser and Eric E.W. Fraser
Pages: 40

This story was written for adoptive families to explore the benefits of adoption openness. The main character, Deshaun, loves his family but always wondered about his biological family. Does he look like them? Did they love him? With the support of his adoptive parents, Deshaun gets to meet his biological family. They develop an ongoing relationship, so Deshaun feels more stable in his adoptive family, but also develops a comfortable relationship with his birth family. Deshaun and his family are reminded (as we all are) that family can include biological, adopted, foster and kin members.

After reading this book, a child and their family will be able to:

  • Discuss feelings about adoption
  • Imagine what openness might mean for them
  • Acknowledge similarities and differences among family members
  • Discuss if an expanded sense of family is possible for their circumstances

"There are many children's adoption books that address the important themes of identity, attachment, grief and loss; however, very few approach the topic of openness for older children in the in-depth manner that Theresa and Eric do in their book. The emotions that Deshaun describes are typical of many adopted children and could help normalize universal feelings for young adoptees. I would highly recommend this book for all adopted children and will certainly be using it in my practice."
--Tecla Jenniskens, M.S.W., R.S.W., adoption social worker

"Many foster and adoptive parents fear the consequences of introducing their children to birth parents. This story offers a redemptive look at how parents can remain history keepers for their children by helping them answer important questions about themselves and their origins. This book is a beautiful example of how fearless curiosity and compassion can lead to increased coherence in a child's story and an expanded sense of family for everyone."
--Paris Goodyear-Brown, LCSW, RPT-S, clinical director of Nurture House, executive director of the TraumaPlay Institute and author of A Safe Circle for Little U and Trauma and Play Therapy

"We're All Not the Same, but We're Still Family is a lovely book that tackles issues adopted children really think about when they question their identity and place within a family. The authors describe the process of a boy's search for his biological family, with the full support of his adoptive parents, and the events that brought him into the child welfare system. The illustrator's rendition of the Skyped meetings between the two families is captivating, while the text gives careful attention to the unification process. I applaud the authors on their inclusion of realistic steps in this complicated process, as we witness a child's journey to find and complete his family."
--Laurie Zelinger, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, board certified psychologist and author of Please Explain "Anxiety" to Me!

Learn more at www.TheresaFraser.com

From Loving Healing Press www.LHPRess.com

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