Red in the Flower Bed

My Overthinking - Review

2012-02-23T14:08:00.003-08:00

My OverThinking
February 22, 2012
and
Children's Home Society & Family Services
February 29, 2012

Overthinking Children's Adoption Themed Books
by Kelly Raudenbush

I can part with onesies that are too small and sneakers that have ran one too many miles. But, children's books? They aren't going anywhere. I may be reading aloud to the kids until they go to prom. Like. It. Or. Not.

Since my list and reviews of my favorites for Chinese New Year keeps getting visitors, I decided I'd follow it up with some adoption themed books that live on our shelves. Maybe you'll find some you need on your shelf too.

Red in the Flower Bed is a hidden gem. Gotta get this one. A poppy seed falls from the flower upon dry ground where it cannot grow and so it travels from east to west by the wind until she lands in the perfect garden. "What a tiny seed. It's just what we need," chimed the garden flowers as they wondered what that tiny seed would become. With some rain and lots of sun, you watch the seed grow and become a beautiful red poppy, the red flower that the garden was missing to make it a beautiful rainbow. A beautiful, subtly communicated story of adoption and one that will allow you as the parent the freedom to talk about how he or she "landed in the perfect spot," what a joy it has been to watch him or her grow, and the blessing he or she is to your family in a totally unique way.

Love2EncourageYou review

2011-10-28T10:05:00.001-07:00

Love2EncourageYou
October 28, 2011

eBook Review: Red in the Flower Bed
by Rebecca Harmon

The delightful story in today's review is titled: Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption by Andrea Nepa.

As a Preschool and Early Elementary teacher for many years, I find this book to be a definite must have for a teacher's library and for any family that includes an adopted child, is planning to adopt, or is friends with a family with an adopted child. As a teacher, we can have quite a vast range of student backgrounds in the classroom, and sharing a book during storytime that helps all the students feel accepted, loved, and welcomed will increase their ability to accept each other easily when a new child joins the class and feels alone or unwanted.

In Red in the Flower Bed, the variety of colorful illustrations, charming tale told through rhyme, and the story's adorable ending shares a breathe of hope to each and every child who wishes to be "accepted" and loved in their home. This story can help little ones look at each other without prejudice or judging each other for being a little different, but instead help them feel an important and special part of a family or group. A family with an adopted child may find the child and any siblings, relatives or friends can relate easily to the message of being accepted or accepting this new individual with great joy as they bring a new but very important "color" to the rainbow of love we call family.

I'd like to be thorough in sharing all the book's great benefits, as the author, Andrea Nepa, does a marvelous job sharing some science and nature (for all my homeschooling and education fans out there) through the process of showing how a seed grows into a flower. Andrea's book, Red in the Flower Bed, has so many nice qualities from a children's book standpoint right down to the clever paper art illustrations that so sweetly convey the message in the story. This book is sure to please any reader whether adoption is in your life or not. Simply adorable.

I invite you to learn more about the author's background as it helps to understand the vision and drive behind a story, and this book certainly speaks volumes about the great love Andrea Nepa has for her precious adopted child, Leah. I believe this story would be a great asset to any daycare, or elementary school's storytime collection.

Andrea Nepa Bio:
Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter: "For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places." In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (courtesy of Andrea Nepa and Tribute Books)

Andrea Nepa has a true heart for children. Learn more about this author and her wonderful book by visiting her on Facebook.

Please consider supporting this family by visiting the Red in the Flower Bed website and then purchasing a copy of the book for the loved ones in your life. There are many across the world that can relate to this heart felt story about adoption and benefit from its tender message. A portion of the proceeds goes to a charity called "Pauls Kids". You can purchase this book in many different formats including eBook, Kindle, Nook, IPad, Google and Paperback form.

I'm always delighted to help with reviews for Tribute Books! The ebook shared above is another great example of the types of authors and books they promote. They have proven to carefully select authors and illustrators with superb talent and a passion for the message they share. Please check out @TributeBooks on Twitter or visit them on Facebook.

FreeSamplesReviews.com review

2011-10-24T07:44:00.001-07:00

FreeSamplesReviews.com
October 22, 2011

[Review] Red in the Flower Bed
by Tiffany Crooker

The Red in the Flower Bed Book. The journey of adoption is beautifully depicted with the comforting imagery of a poppy flower who is welcomed into a garden family. It is a charming story of “seeds” being planted in the perfect place – exactly where they belong. Children and adults will enjoy this simple yet meaningful story and homespun illustrations. The book’s loving approach helps children to understand adoption. Andrea Nepa has captured the essence of adoption and family, and has illustrated it beautifully with images and poetry that even a small child can comprehend and enjoy.

This book is so touching. Teaches you and children and the sibling you adopted. Helps you deal and cope and what to expect and helps dealing with those empty spaces you get when you adopt. Its a great way to tell your children how to deal with a adopted child. My parents tried and tried to adopt after my brother died when I was 3 years old. We went through so many obstacles trying to get a child to adopt. Nothing we tried to seem to work. So my parents would bring in my cousins to live with us. Its sorta kinda like adopting someone. You love them and you live with them for times being. Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter: “For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places.” In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We all wonder things why we look different from one another and wonder why and what could have been differently. Why I was taken from home to home, why no one loved me or why my hair, eyes, skin, race are all different from my mommy and daddy. This will help you and not only the child but everyone around you!!

Mama's Got Flair review

2011-10-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Mama's Got Flair
October 15, 2011

Adoption: Red in the Flower Bed Book Review
by Amy

Adoption is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. It has touched the lives of many families, including my own.

We were blessed through adoption with my handsome nephew in 2005, so when I was given the opportunity to read Andrea Nepa’s book, Red in the Flower Bed, I was beyond thrilled.

This book is great for children and parents alike. It’s warm and touching, and actually brought tears to my eyes. It’s nothing shy of a wonderful read and a great way to introduce your children to the joys of adoption.

Red in the Flower Bed takes the reader on the journey of a little seed that fell from a poppy flower, except the soil that it lands in is too dry for the little seed to grow. The poppy flower lovingly wishes its tiny seed farewell and allows the wind to whisk it away to another land where it can flourish and grow.

The poppy seed finds itself in a distant place, welcomed and loved by many other flowers. The tiny seed then blooms into a beautiful poppy flower!

Andrea Nepa is the adoptive mother to Leah. It was through the assistance of Adoptions from the Heart that in 2001 she was blessed with this little miracle.

Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter:

“For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places.”

In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer, and is currently in remission. Andrea now lives with her husband, David, and Leah in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She works for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a registered dietitian. If you would like to get to know more about the brilliant author, Andrea Nepa, you can follow her on her Facebook page.

I fell in love with Red in the Flower Bed and highly recommend it to anyone who has been touched by adoption or is looking for a way to help their children understand the beauties of the adoption process on a level that they can comprehend.

To purchase your own copy of Red in the Flower Bed, click here.

This book is one of many great books featured by Tribute Books. If you are interested in finding more titles in the Tribute Books library, you can visit their site. If you would like to follow them you can find them on Facebook and Twitter.

La Vida Buena review

2011-10-12T07:22:00.001-07:00

La Vida Buena
October 12, 2011

Red in the Flower Bed Blog Tour
by Melissa

Red in the Flower Bed, written by Andrea Nepa is one of the most beautiful, well written children's stories I have ever read. MY daughter and I had the privilege of reading this one evening together, and when we were done, we sat in a silence, just thinking about the book.

Every child grows up wondering why they look different, why their hair is different than others in their family, why their skin color might not be a perfect match. Most time, we can explain this by simply saying "you are a mix of mommy and daddy"
The author of this book Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. Anyone who has gone through adoption knows the journey a child must take, not only to enter a new family(in the story's case a seed journeys to a new flower bed) but when that child has settled, they might not look like the all the other members of their family. The book goes on to show that even if you are different, you still complete your families rainbow, and are just what the family needed.

This is such a well written, simple story with so much meaning to it. I would recommend this to be on every child's bookshelf.
If you are interested in buying this story, please visit Tribute Books

To read more about Andrea and her family, you can visit her facebook page.

Adventures of Frugal Mom review

2011-10-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

Adventures of Frugal Mom
October 7, 2011

Red in the Flower Bed Book Tour Stop
by Melissa Vera

I am so excited to be the next stop on the blog tour for this awesome book about adoption. Red in the Flower Bed is a story written by Andrea Nepa, who is a mom of an adopted daughter. The book is dedicated to her. This book is cute explanation for children who wonder why they may look different from their adopted families. The story is about a poppy seed that is sent away from its mother so that it can have a better life. The wind picks it up and sends it down to a flower bed so it can grow. When it sprouts the other flowers welcome it and they become a rainbow.

This book is awesome for those who looking for an unique way to make children understand about adoption. I loved how the author used a poppy seed - red being the most vibrant color- to show that we all maybe different but in the end we all are the same. This book is a must have for children to read.

Not only was I impressed with the way the story was written but the illustrations were amazing. Those alone would draw my attention to the book.

If you are interested in purchasing this book you can find it at Tribute Books.

I promise it will be well worth the money spent.

Tara Talks Back review

2011-10-07T07:06:00.000-07:00

Tara Talks Back
October 6, 2011

Review of Red in the Flower Bed
by Tara

I am fortunate to be chosen to review this children's book that tells of a flower seed being adopted into a different flower bed. It is simply stated, and easy for a child to understand. The pages and illustrations are beautiful and vibrantly colored. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about adoption and need an easy way to explain it to a young child.

You can learn more about Red In The Flower Bed Here

You can buy Red In The Flower Bed Here

Loving the Family Life review

2011-10-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Loving the Family Life
October 5, 2011

Red in the Flower Bed: An Story about Interracial Adoption Children's Book Review
by Cathi

Today I had the privilege to review "RED in the Flower Bed" by Andrea Nepa. Let me just start by saying this is a touching story about the journey that Andrea and her family went through to adopt her daughter Leah. The personal touch lets the reader become a part of this journey while we follow a little seed across the world to the garden where it belongs.

Whether you are adopted, have adopted, are in the adoption process, or have biological children, this book is an extraordinary metaphorical example of accepting difference and making it beautiful. I am honored to have taken the journey with this little seed and to have watched her flourish.

Follow Andrea on her website, or her Facebook Page

Follow Tribute books at http://www.tribute-books.com/ or find them on Facebook and Twitter

Loving the Family Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!!!!

Mother of Insanity, Are We Crazy Yet? review

2011-10-03T13:03:00.001-07:00

Mother of Insanity, Are We Crazy Yet?
October 1, 2011

Book Tour: Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
by Stephanie

I just finished reading Red in The Flower Bed. It's is an excellent book for children ages four to eight, that tells an adoption story that any child will love. Red In The Flower bed is a story that will help children understand adoption through poems and colorful pictures. My daughter and I both loved this book.

The book tells the story of a seed that is transported to a new flower bed (family). The seed grows into a flower that is very unlike the other flowers in the bed, yet a perfect fit. The flowers are a family of many colors that all blend together into a beautiful group that is so loved by each other.

The illustrations are bold and beautiful. The colors pop out and go along well with the story. My daughter enjoyed pointing out the different hues of the flowers as we read this.

I would recommend this book to anybody who wants to teach their children about adoption or who have an adopted child. This book was a great opener to discussing how some children are adopted.

You can learn more about Red In The Flower Bed Here

You can buy Red In The Flower Bed Here

Andrea & Leah - September 2011

2011-09-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Splashes of Joy review

2011-05-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Splashes of Joy
May 16, 2011

Children's Book: Red in the Flower Bed review
by Joy Hannabass

Red in the Flower Bed is a wonderful illustrated children’s story about interracial adoption. It uses the example of a poppy seed falling to the grown and wasn’t wanted, and the wind carrying it away to a place that it was wanted and could grow. And even though this poppy seed would be different, it would grow into a beautiful flower among the other flowers in the garden.

I was very blessed to grow up in a community with as many blacks as whites, and even more blessed to have parents and grandparents that instilled in us to love and respect everyone regardless of their color. How sad for someone who is not accepted because they are different. This wonderful book shows children that we can be beautiful and useful no matter how different we are. And also be needed, just as this poppy flower was needed to make up the red for the rainbow! I recommend this book for parents to read to their children, even if there are not adopted children in the family. All children at some point in the small lives will come in contact with children that are adopted, or that is different.

Buy link:
http://tribute-books.com/shop.html#children4

EBOOK GIVEAWAY & Review of Andrea Nepa's "Red in the Flower Bed"

2011-04-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Giveaway Blogdom
April 25, 2011

Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa - A Review & Giveaway
by Amanda

Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa is a beautifully illustrated children's story which follows a poppy seed as it travels the world searching for the perfect place to grow. The home she is originally sent from the sky to live in is too dry for her to flourish and grow, so she takes to the wind until she finds the perfect garden in which to bloom.

Aside from being a beautiful story in and of itself, Red in the Flower Bed has special meaning, because it is Nepa's story about adoption. Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book to her daughter: "For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places." In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

I've got to say, that while I enjoyed reading the story right from start (and my daughter is in LOVE with it), I was truly touched by Nepa's work after I took the time to read her bio and learn more about why she wrote the poppy's story. Red in the Flower Bed is the perfect story for any young child, but I think it will be especially poignant for a family with experience or an interest in adoption. As another bonus, this book is offered as an e-book, and my kids were so excited to get to "read like mommy" on my phone and on the computer. The story is a favorite of both of my older children, and I'm sure it will be a favorite for your family as well.

Buy it

You can purchase Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa by clicking HERE.

TO ENTER EBOOK GIVEAWAY, GO TO: http://giveawayblogdom.blogspot.com/2011/04/red-in-flower-bed-by-andrea-nepa-review.html

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**Thank you to Tribute Books for sponsoring this review/giveaway. We will not receive any compensation from this giveaway in exchange for an honest review and the opinion above is 100% ours. We are also not responsible for the mailing of this prize.**

Inspired by Savannah review

2011-03-07T09:47:00.001-08:00

Inspired by Savannah
March 5, 2011

Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa - Book Review and E-Book Giveaway
by Robin McCoy

5 stars out of 5

What a charming book about interracial adoption, Red in the Flower Bed is. This rhyming children's storybook follows a seed that is dropped by a poppy flower, and winds up in a family garden. From there, through nurturing and love, it grows into a confident and beautiful red Poppy.

The illustrations in this book are simply amazing. They blend with the text and allow readers to truly find beauty in the red Poppy.

People who adopt are special people. They look beyond age and race, and only see the child for what they are -- in need of a loving family. They open their homes and hearts and accept these children as their own. Andrea is just one of these special people. It is nice how she created this book, in honor of her adopted daughter, Leah. What a great way to share this special gift in life, through the use of a beautiful flower. If you have adopted a child, this is a great book to share with your little angel.

Author Terri Forehand review

2011-02-03T08:09:00.001-08:00

Writing and other ways into the heart of the matter ... for kids
February 3, 2011

Red in the Flower Bed - Book Review
by Terri Forehand

Red in the Flower Bed
Andrea Nepa
http://www.tribute-books.com/

This is a simple book with a grown up and inspirational message that I was both surprised and impressed. It follows the journey of a poppy seed through many places where it would not bloom to the unlikely yet perfect place for it to be planted. Just like in interracial adoptions, a child might feel transplanted into a different culture, yet it becomes the perfect place for that child to bloom.

Andrea Nepa wrote the book for her adopted Vietnamese daughter, Leah. Her little girl made the long journey first to the United States and into a new family. Then later, her journey led her down a medical pathway when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Now in remission, Leah blooms.

The story is easy to read with simple words yet resonates an emotionally impacted message for adults ands children about belonging. Read it over and over, and in the words of Mary Englebright- "Bloom where you are planted."

A great story for the hearts of children and especially touching for those children blessed to be adopted.

Book Dads review

2011-01-25T07:33:00.000-08:00

Book Dads
January 24, 2011

Book Review: Red in the Flower Bed
by Chris Singer

Red in the Flower Bed is a charming and elegant rhyming poem telling the story of a lone poppy seed floating through the air in search of a place to call home. The poppy seed and gardening motif serves very nicely as a subtle yet stirring metaphor for interracial adoption.

I loved the simplicity in the pictures in this book. They reminded me of a homemade collage project and left me and imagine other readers with a warm feeling as you can see the love which has gone into the creation of this book. I was struck by the powerful emotions I felt while reading this book as well. I was in awe of this and found it to be quite a powerful and touching tribute (appropriate since it’s published by Tribute Books!!) to the infinite bounds of a parent’s love for a child.

I’m a huge supporter/proponent of adoption as I have had the opportunity to spend time overseas working with orphans of AIDS and also visiting orphanages. I will definitely be recommending this book to people I know who have adopted or who work with adopted children.

I also want to give Tribute Books a great deal of credit here as well by having the book available in so many different formats: Paperback, E-Book, Google Book, Kindle, iPad and the Nook. As the owner of the new color Nook, I’ve happy to see such a high quality book available and available at a great price of $4.95!! Well done!!

The Handmaden review

2010-12-31T07:41:00.001-08:00

The Handmaden
December 30, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed
by Kelly

"Red in the Flower Bed" by Andrea Nepa is a touching and beautifully crafted children's book on the topic of interracial adoption.

The story follows a little seed from the beginning of it's journey of uncertainty to the end where it becomes a flower with positive nurturing and care. The seed is an analogy for the child who is to be adopted and gives a gentle explanation for the adoptive child who may wonder why.

The illustrations are very simple yet emotive. The book would suit not only an interracially adoptive family but any adoptive family.

I am a great supporter of adoption and I lament the fact that the adoption process is made so difficult and sometimes inaccessible for so many. The author is an adoptive parent herself which is quite obvious as this is a book written from the heart.

You can learn more about Andrea Nepa or purchase her book here.

Putting Words Down on Paper interview

2010-12-29T07:18:00.001-08:00

Putting Words Down on Paper
December 29, 2010

Ten Questions with Andrea Nepa
by Susanne Drazic

Andrea Nepa is the mother of an adopted Vietnamese daughter named Leah. In 2001, Adoptions from the Heart assisted with the international adoption. Andrea dedicated her book, Red in the Flower Bed, to her daughter: "For my dear Leah, whose journey in her young life has already taken her to far away and unexpected places." In 2006, Leah was diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in remission. Andrea lives with Leah and her husband, David, in Haddonfield, New Jersey. She is a registered dietitian for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

1. Hi Andrea. Could you you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in NH and now live in NJ. I still miss the beautiful fall foliage and snow at Christmas from living in New England. I am married with a 9 year old daughter. We have a dog and two cats. I am very close with the cats, but the dog is new, so I am still learning to communicate with him. My hobbies include playing the flute and ice skating. I play music in an ensemble, and recently started taking ice dancing lessons. I work as a clinical nutritionist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

2. Describe your desk/workspace.

My desk probably looks chaotic, but I know where everything is (most of the time). At work I have several piles on my desk. One pile is for daily/immediate tasks, one for next week's work, another for long term projects and another for other things (such as reading research articles) when I get time for it. So I am quite organized, although you wouldn't know it by looking .

3. Do you have a favorite quote?

My favorite quote is: "The wise learn more from the foolish than the foolish do from the wise." I think this was from a fortune cookie.

4. If you could have coffee with anyone (living or dead, real or fictional), who would it be and why?

If I had the opportunity to have a coffee chat with anyone, it would probably be Laura Ingalls Wilder. I am fascinated by life as she describes it from her time period. I would love to ask her questions about how she survived living as secluded as her family did at times, and how they managed by making/growing/hunting almost everything they owned and ate, with no modern medicine, indoor plumbing, etc. She had the ability to describe the beauty of life with beautiful words, and took joy in the nature around her.

5. What are your top three favorite books and why?

There are so many great books that I don't know that I could narrow it down to three. Some of my favorite books are: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (the storyline is captivating and so well put together and life in Japan during that time is fascinating too); Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier (great story you can't stop reading); Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (the storyline is so intricate and well designed and the characters are well defined with great dialogue; interesting insight into how life was among the upper class in England during that time period); The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith (great fun to read; quirky characters in an African setting; interesting mysteries); all James Herriott books (his true stories about life as a country vet can be hilarious, and his insight into human and animal behavior is awesome) and of course the Little House on the Prairie series.

6. Do you write full-time or part-time?

I occasionally write professionally for work, but I have only written the one children's story.

7. What are your current marketing strategies for Red in the Flower Bed: an Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption?

I have participated in several online blogs targeted to adoptive parents.

8. Could you share about any current writing projects?

No writing projects at the moment!

9. What would be the best way for readers to contact you?

Through my publisher, Tribute Books. http://www.tribute-books.com/

10. Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I was inspired to write Red in the Flower Bed because I feel so fortunate to have my daughter through adoption, and because she would ask questions about her adoption that we were unable to answer because her birth history is unknown. I did it out of love for her, and was especially motivated to write it after she survived a life-threatening illness at the age of five.

Sober Catholic review

2010-12-28T07:45:00.001-08:00

Sober Catholic
December 28, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed
by Paul S.

This month I’ve been asked by Tribute Books to review “Red in the Flower Bed” by Andrea Nepa. It is a nice illustrated children’s story about interracial adoption.

At first I wasn’t going to do it as I couldn’t figure out how it might apply to the purpose of this blog, that of recovering from addictions, but then I remembered one of my favorite lines from AA’s “Big Book”:

“We are people who normally would not mix.”

Just as in 12 Step Meetings we quickly learn to look past obvious differences to hear and accept the message that the person has to offer, we learn from this nice little book that “We have a complete rainbow” when we accept others into our family, even though they are different from us. That difference within a unity can be a strength if we acknowledge, accept and cherish our differences as something that makes the whole community greater.

It is a lovely book and nicely introduces interracial acceptance to wee little kiddies.

MotherLode review

2010-12-28T07:42:00.000-08:00

MotherLode
December 28, 2010

Review: "Red in the Flower Bed" by Andrea Nepa
by Grace Krispy

"Red in the Flower Bed" by Andrea Nepa is a children's book that tells the tale of interracial adoption by using the analogy of a flower seed. There is no room for the little poppy seed to grow up with the other poppy flowers, so the wind takes it along until it finds a suitable place with room and love for the seed to grow. The seed grows into a lovely red poppy, adding a new color to the flower garden.

Told in rhyme with colorful picture accompaniment, this story will appeal to children (and adults) of all ages. Children reading this story will likely not relate it to the idea of interracial adoption, but that leaves room for interpretations of all kinds. As a result, I think this book will appeal to all types of situations. This book has the potential to open up conversations between parent and child about differences and how those differences make each of us special.

The pictures are simple and engaging. They add context to the simple rhyme. The rhyme changes cadence from verse to verse, which gives it a very artistic feel, but may make reading it aloud a bit awkward the first time. Altogether, a lovely book and a recommended read.

4.5 /5 stars

Read an excerpt of the book here.

Available from Tribute Books and also on Amazon

The Book Bee review

2010-12-27T11:46:00.001-08:00

The Book Bee
December 27, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed
by Sarah Duncan

Beautiful written story about interracial adoption, told through the eyes of a little seed. This is the journey of a little seed that finds itself in a strange flower bed. This seed eventually becomes a green plate then a beautiful poppy. Even though this little poppy is different than all the other flowers it is accepted and welcomed into the family.
Heart warming story which gives the message that it is ok to be different. This book talks about adoption in a manner that children will understand. This book is beautifully illustrated and ideal for adoptive parents to explain adoption to the kids.

Putting Words Down on Paper review

2010-12-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

Putting Words Down on Paper
December 27, 2010

A Review of Red in the Flower Bed
by Susanne Drazic

Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children's Story about Interracial Adoption

written and illustrated by

Andrea Nepa

Tribute Books

www.tribute-books.com

Hardcover - $12.95

Ebook - $4.95

Kindle - $2.99

iPad - $4.99

Nook - $4.95

Google - $3.79

My review:

Red in the Flower Bed is a wonderful story about interracial adoption. It is beautifully told through the journey of a little seed that finds it's way into a flower bed. The seed first grows into a green plant. As it continues to grow, it finally becomes a beautiful red poppy flower. Although it is different from the other flowers, it is welcomed into the garden family. The poppy flower is where it is meant to be.

Red in the Flower Bed talks about adoption in a loving way that children will find comforting and easily understood. The illustrated pages have a unique look, as if they were all done by hand. This book would make a wonderful gift for newly adoptive parents. I think that this is a book that parents will want to share with their children.

Proud Book Nerd review

2010-12-27T07:33:00.001-08:00

Proud Book Nerd
December 26, 2010

Review: Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
by Heather McBride

My Thoughts: This is an absolutely GORGEOUS book! The illustrations are just beautiful. They are very scrapbook-like, and vibrant. Again, just fabulously GORGEOUS. This book isn’t just visibly appealing, as the story is very sweet, too. I absolutely loved it!

My Rating: 5 stars

Source: Received as part of a blog tour promotion on Tribute Books. (Tribute Books can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.)

Andrea Nepa can be found on Facebook.

More Information: To learn more about Red in the Flower Bed, check out the Web site for the book HERE. Read an excerpt from the book HERE, or watch the trailer:

Read It: Get your own copy HERE.

Nayu's Reading Corner review

2010-12-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

Nayu's Reading Corner
December 25, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
by Jessica Pitcairn

A tale of belonging, uses flowers as a metaphor for adoption

I hadn't read any picture books about adoption, so I jumped at the chance to review this. The illustrations are cheerful, providing a warm feeling to the story. They are deceptively simple, and have a real sense of texture. The message behind the pictures and the story is very important. Adopted children may be chosen by their adoptive parents, but they are loved deeply and very much wanted. Whatever their background, the new family opens them with welcome arms. The adopted child may be of a different race, but that doesn't matter. Skin colour doesn't matter. Being with different flowers doesn't matter. The symbolic poppy is where it belongs - it has helped create a rainbow of colours. Inter-racial adoption adds an extra bundle of energy to a family. Who they are as a person matters infinitely more than what they look like.

Final conclusion

A sweet way of explaining to adopted children how special and loved they are by their new family.

Here's a photo of Andrea with her adopted daughter Leah, to whom she dedicated this book.

FutureCatholic.net review

2010-12-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

FutureCatholic.net
December 25, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed, by Andrea Nepa
by C.F. Mathews

Red in the Flower Bed,written and illustrated by Andrea Nepa

Andrea Nepa dedicates this book to her adoptive Vietnamese daughter. She is writing about what she lives. Red in the Flower Bed is a delightful children’s book about interracial adoption. Adoption is always a pro-life message of hope and possibilities.

Nepa uses the concept of a flower garden to illustrate how those who are different from one another in some ways, can live and love together as a family. Though interracial families are not the average, this book shows that these families are beautiful and should be respected. Red in the Flower Bed can help an adopted child to appreciate the uniqueness of such a family and help the child to process his or her situation emotionally. Its a great book for any child, to learn to appreciate the beauty and dignity of interracial families and adoption. The illustrations are delicate and colorful.

Andrea Nepa lives in New Jersey and works as a dietitian at a children’s hospital. Here is her website:

http://redintheflowerbed.blogspot.com/

Tribute Books is a 6 year-old publishing company, started byNicole Langan, a young entrepreneur from Pennsylvania. They accept new manuscripts-instructions are on the website. Topics and types of books include: children’s books, history, historical fiction, humor, photo books, poetry, reference, relationships, religion and sports. They also provide opportunities for fundraising. Here’s the link:

http://www.tribute-books.com/index.html

4 the Love of Books review

2010-12-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

4 the Love of Books
December 23, 2010

Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
by Abi Buening

I am really sorry to Andrea and Tribute books for being late on this book review posting. I guess the holiday season has just gotten the better of me this week. I thank Tribute books for the opportunity to have reviewed this cute rhyming book with the theme of interracial adoption. The pictures are bright and cheery. It is a short quick sing song book with a very wonderful message. This is a charming message using the poppy seed as the illustration throughout the book. Nepa's book will help a child better understand what adoption truly means.