My Special Someone: A Child’s Perspective of Adoption by Brittany and Sherry Kyle

Part 1 of 3

Have you ever thought about writing a book in honor of the child you hope to adopt? If so, My Special Someone is the perfect example for you to follow. This delightful little picture book was written and illustrated by 6-year-old Brittany Kyle (with help from mom, Sherry), to honor her adopted sister, Grace.

Brittany begins, “Once upon a time, I really wanted a little sister. And here’s how it happened…”

Brittany goes on to explain how her parents met with a social worker and “filled out lots of papers,” and how the family waited a very long time for her sister. Her story conveys her excitement at getting the phone call announcing that they’d soon have a sister. Brittany also explains, through pictures and words, how they came up with a name for her sister (Grace); what Grace looks like; and the trip to court to finalize the adoption.

The book involves children by helping them to decode a “secret message” about adoption as they read.

There are also questions for siblings of an adopted family member to discuss, including:

Did you ask your parents for a new brother or sister?

How long did you wait for your brother or sister?

Did your brother or sister look like what you imagined?

What are the fun things about having a brother or sister?

How did you celebrate the adoption of your brother or sister?

Sherry Kyle also includes “10 tips for a smooth transition” – ways you can prepare your other children to welcome the arrival of an adopted sibling. Some of the tips are as follows:

Talk openly as a family at the diner table about the upcoming adoption.

Pray with your child every night for his/her new sibling.

Allow the newly adopted child to go to bed last. This way, the bedtime routine for the other child(ren) will not be interrupted, and you can spend one-on-one time with your new child.

Read children’s books about adoption to your child(ren). Write your own story!

My Special Someone, full of colorful crayon drawings by Brittany, will appeal to the 6 and under crowd and is appropriate for adopted children and their siblings.

In the next two posts, author Sherry Kyle shares her family’s adoption story and offers tips for families considering foster-adoption.