LifeBooks : Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child

My mother is a social worker and she uses this book in her work. My mother brought the book home for me to look at. As an adoptee, I feel this book is a wonderful way for adoptive children to understand their history and to have a connection with their biological parents. I wish this book had been written 22 years ago and then maybe I wouldn't have so many unanswered questions.

I find this book very helpful and easy to read. It is a wonderful tool to use with the children, as well as, the perspective parents. As an adoption social worker, I find this very useful and relieved that there is finally current information to be able to do something with the children that is so important. An easy read. Beth O'Malley's sense of humor is wonderful and the way she writes it makes you want to go and do it.

" LifeBooks have been used in public adoptions for quite a while but it is a gift for us that Beth O'Malley- an adoptee and adoption social worker- has taken the challenge of helping ALL families to give their children and them selves a container that will help to hold the past and weave the child's past into his or her present and that of new families. Beth is the best one for this task as her sensitivity, wisdom, and creativity bring depth of perception and clearness of vision to the difficult task of telling hard but true strories to children. This books and its accoutrements are a gift for adoptive and birth families and for professionals( therapists, social workers, adoption agencies, and attorneys) Dr. Joyce Maguire Pavao, CEO Center for Family Connections, Cambridge and New York 2/27/00

Beth O'Malley's LifeBooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child is a pure joy to read. Vital information is presented in a touching and personal manner that makes you feel as if Beth is right there with you, guiding you through the process. You will see that a LifeBook can have an immeasurable, positive impact on a child's identity, self-esteem and perception of family. Particularly for a child who is removed from birth family due to neglect or abuse, a LifeBook can help the child come to peace with their past and provides a solid foundation for them to look towards the future. I believe Beth's book is essential reading for everyone involved in adoption and foster care.

Carolyn E. Smith, Executive Director, Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange

As an adoptive parent, I applaud Beth O'Malley for helping take what can feel like a daunting task and making it very possible. She provides simple direct quidance that helps interject charm, sensitivity and warm stories about your child and their personality into their life story - assuring that your child will love having a book of their very own life. I am confident it is something that my daughter will always treasure. I have recommended it to all the other adoptive parents that I know!