A few posts ago I talked about a friend of mine and her new venture. I've now received the ok from Sherry to talk about it here. Forever Adoption Storybooks.
Before you non-APs stop reading - these are not just for adoptive parents. They're great for everyone. You can use them for your only family story or use them as gifts. Sherry called them scrapbooks for the digital generation, and I agree. And no, I'm not selling the books, I just think they're an awesome idea and they look so fantastic when they are finished and bound.
I had every intention of starting a traditional scrapbook (lifebook) for Myfanwy but the thought of finding all that scrap booking paraphernalia was a wee bit intimidating. I am much happier on the computer, working with templates, graphics, and fonts (oh my!). Here's what Sherry had to say about the books:
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As an adoptive parent, one of the frustrating things I have found is the lack of good adoption journals, baby books, and family books. Especially books that have positive adoption language, multicultural themes and ethnic diversity (especially if you have 3 or 4 ethnicities in one family!).
When I saw Heritage Makers, I knew that I wanted to be client, but I HAD to be a consultant. And so, my business started.
Make your child a hardcover, published book about their own adoption story! Books are made online and then published in the states and mailed to you in 3 weeks! or, email me all the info and pictures and I will make your book for you! These books are completely customizable, write what you want, add pictures, scan birthmother letters, birth announcements, mementos from your trip, etc. This is YOUR book!
Another great idea is a brag book. A small 5x5 book that can put pictures of your family members, home , and pets. Each page can have a picture and description such as: a picture of mom with the word mom printed in English and your child's language! What a great way for your child to get to know you, learn some English, and a great keepsake forever!
There are so many applications for these books! You can also make brag books of your children, mother's or father's day books, or publish a storybook about your trip to your child's' country of birth!
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I am going to make a few books. I want to start one soon to document my choice to adopt and my thoughts and feelings along the way. I plan to use excerpts from this blog as it was always my intention of sharing this with M and this is the perfect way to do that. I also want to create books to use for my yearly reports back to Ethiopia (which are a requirement up until M is 18 years old).
I'm also going to create one specifically about Ethiopia where I write about the country and my travel experience there. There are so many possibilities! The sky is the limit. I hope the books will be part of our regular bedtime story line up.
So check out Sherry's site and see for yourself. I can't wait to get started and I want to support a fellow AP and also a friend!
