A heartwarming tale of LDS Adoption. Follow a child's journey from the Pre-existence to his family's home on Earth. The divine guidance of the Savior, along with the love and prayers of both birth and adoptive parents are gently and lovingly portrayed in this tender story of the ultimate "Happily ever after".
Interview:
Ashna: Tell us something fun about you.
Shari Guess: I used to work as a publicist and columnist with most of the 80's "hair Metal" bands. I have many interesting stories!
A: What makes you unique as a writer?
SG: I approach all my subject matters from a spiritual perspective and try to convey that to my readers. I want everything I write to make a difference in the lives of those it touches.
A: What about Once Upon A Baby makes it stand out?
SG: It is the only LDS (Mormon) children's book I know of that follows the complete journey for the adopted child who joins a family through infertility according to LDS beliefs.
A: Why did you decide to write about adoption?
SG: This story was the story that I wanted to read to my adopted son and couldn't find on the bookshelves. I figured that if I longed for this story so badly others might feel the same.
A: Do you have any new projects in the works?
SG: I do have a few books.... a biography of sorts and a planning book that I'm not free to talk about at this time.
A: What is the question that you wish interviewers would ask, and answer that question?
SG: I wish they would ask why the birth mother is smiling on the cover as she is placing her child with the adoptive family. We have an extremely open adoption and though placement was bittersweet for my son’s birth mother, she had then, and has now, an absolute conviction that placing her baby in our family was the right thing to do. We are such close friends-and she is close to my son. She selflessly thought only of him as she made her decision. She found joy in seeing the gift she gave to him of a home with a mother and father who loved each other and would raise him according to a mutual belief system. We have all made so much more together than we could have ever made on our own.
My Thoughts: This is a great story for children who have been adopted. It is an excellent tool for parents to use when starting to talk about adoption with their children. Guess does a phenomenal job explaining the joy adoption brings to all those involved. Anyone who has experienced or is planning for adoption will enjoy this sweet book, no matter their religious background.
Praise:
"Shari Guess has written a "must read" for every LDS family. She made a relevant issue for our time seem simple, yet to the heart."
~Brenton G. Yorgason, PhD
"I cried grateful tears to finally find a book for our children that explains their unique place within our family in a spiritual way."
~Nancy Reynolds, CA
SHARI GUESS is a proud, first-time children’s book author and lives in rural North Texas where she is “Mom” to her beloved 9-year-old adopted son, Garrett. Happily married to her husband Walter for going on 13 years they share their cabin-in-the-woods with a small herd of Great Danes and farm animals. Shari is currently a part-time real estate agent and property manager and prior to marriage worked for over a decade in the music business, spanning from Los Angeles to Nashville. She wore many hats as a journalist and publicist representing multiple recording artists, magazines and music publishing companies, along with being a part-time performing artist and songwriter. Her hobbies include choral, Americana and rock music, martial arts, photography, travel and anything in the mountains.
Links:
Tour Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card + copy of Once Upon a Baby
Copy of Once Upon a Baby
(Book available to US & Canada residents only)
Ends 11/30/12
Copy of Once Upon a Baby
(Book available to US & Canada residents only)
Ends 11/30/12
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