Dr. Kevin Leman - My Adopted Child, Theres No One Like You

Dear Mama Bear and Papa Bear:

As you know, adoption is one of the most loving choices we have. In this story, young Panda now belongs to a loving family of bears. By books end he feels very special, but first he has questions.

Some questions about adoption can be troubling for youngsters. We encourage you to talk to your child about adoption and let no subject be taboo. You may not have all the answersor today may not be the appropriate time for your child to hear thembut talking openly as soon as possible will reap rewards down the road.

If you know details of your childs birth family, you will of course choose what to tell your child now, saving some details for when he or she is older. If you do not know details behind your little ones becoming available to you, avoid making up stories about it. Keep explanations simple and truthful. For example, it can be said about most adoptions that the adoptive parents wanted a child and a birth mother wanted a home for her child. Emphasize the love behind all the choices involved.

Families are born in the heart, Mama Bear explains to her Panda, and we hope their chat helps you share that wonderful concept with your child. And dont let the last page of this book go blank. Give your child a visual sense of belonging. While its important for adopted children to feel good about adoption, its just as important for them to feel like a solid member of the family. Be creative! You could even use your pets picture in the frames. If some frames need to be added, that would be a fun art project. Each family is different in its own wonderful way.

The world is full of happy, successful adopted people. We hope this book shows your child how special he or she is today and forever.

Text 2007 by Dr. Kevin Leman and Kevin Leman II
Illustrations 2007 by Kevin Leman II

Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recording without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-0720-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

This book is affectionately dedicated to
Kayla Lauren Tucker,
the sweetest and most talented eight-year-old I know.
Kayla, you are loved and appreciated by so many people
especially your mommy and daddy.

I t was the end of the day at Forest School. Mrs. Racoonaroni called for quiet in the classroom.

Before we leave today, students, I have an exciting assignment for you to do at home, she said. Who knows what a family tree is?

Panda had no idea what the answer to that was, but his friend Sidney Squirrel spoke up. Its the tree where we live! Our family tree!

Everyone giggled, and Mrs. Racoonaroni smiled. Its certainly true that your family lives in a beautiful oak tree, Sidney. But Im talking about something different.

M rs. Racoonaroni picked up her chalk and drew a picture of a big tree on the blackboard. This tree shows who your family isyour mothers family and your fathers familyby putting their names on the different branches. And all those branches come from the same tree trunk.

Mrs. Racoonaroni put down her chalk and dusted her paws. A family tree shows how your family came to be and how you belong to your family.

Panda didnt know if he liked this assignment. He thought it might be hard to do, because his family was different than all the other families in the classroom.

J ust then the bell rang. All Forest Schools students jumped up and hurried out the door.

Hey Panda, called Sidney. Wanna climb trees?

Panda was not in a playful mood. I have to get home, he said. And with that, he trudged right past Sidney.

Panda walked a little slower than usual down the forest path. He wasnt looking for mushrooms or listening to the birds chatter. He was thinking about his unusual family tree.

Instead of bounding into the kitchen for his afternoon snack, Panda slid silently through the doorway. Mama Bear heard him, and it was the strangest sound. It was the sound ofquiet!

Mama knew something was different.

P anda, Mama Bear called. Are you there?

Panda paused and sighed. Yes, Mama, Im here. He walked into the kitchen.

Mama put her fresh eucalyptus and honey cookies (a secret family recipe) on the table. She kept an eye on her cub as she poured a big glass of milk. Whats wrong, honeybear? she asked.

Panda didnt touch his cookies. He sighed again. Mrs. Racoonaroni wants us to draw our family tree.

Mama nodded. That certainly didnt seem to be a bad thing. Why do you say it like that?

Because Im adopted, he blurted out. That means our family is different.

O h yes, said Mama Bear. Our family is different. She beamed. Very different indeed!

Mama Bear took Pandas face in her paws and turned it toward her. Have you heard Papa and me talk about how happy we are that we got to adopt you?

Panda nodded, even though his chin was in Mamas paws.

Mama smiled again. Well, its true.

Panda pulled away. But arent we... different? he stammered. I mean, I dont even look like you and Papa. I mean, I... Im a panda.

Yes, we do look different. Papa and I are brown bears, and youre a black and white panda. And do you know what? We think youre the handsomest guy in the forest.

Pandas shoulders drooped.

Oh honeybear, this is a good thing, said Mama Bear.

W ere not just a different family. Were a special family. Thats because were a family built on love and love alone. We wanted you! We chose you!

Panda thought that over. It did sound pretty special. Then he remembered the family tree assignment. But where do I come from?

Mama looked at Panda for a long moment. Then she said, Let Mama tell you a story.

Is this the story about grandpa eating all of grandmas pie before her company came over?

No, honeybear. Youve never heard this story before. But I think youll like it.

Mama Bear pulled Panda onto her lap. He snuggled into Mamas soft brown fur.

O nce upon a time, Mama began, there was a young panda who lived in a different forest from ours. She was going to have a baby. Now usually thats a happy time. But this panda was all alone and so young that she wondered how she could take care of a baby all by herself.