For the past five years or so, I’ve been collecting picture books with an adoption theme. With MaM getting older, it’s time to branch out and find some “chapter books” that weave an adoption story line, and it’s also time to find books that don’t just talk about babies being adopted. Enter the new book “Between a Roc and a Hard Place,” by Danny Birt.
ToyBox Books send me a copy of the book to review, and I am so glad that they did. “Between a Roc and a Hard Place” actually starts with a scene that reminded me of the PBS Kids show, “Dinosaur Train” — an egg lands in the nest of a different, even a predatory, species. The Roc family is surprised that a dragon has hatched in their nest, but they name her and she becomes part of their family. It doesn’t take long for Tephra to realize that she is different from her siblings, but it’s their similarities which bond them together. As Tephra grows, her life takes her in a very unique direction, being the only dragon among birds. Ultimately, her integration has a very positive outcome for the entire kingdom.
Children who like fantasy books will love this book for the magical land that author Danny Birt has created. The process of giving animals their names will enchant, and the plots against humans will entertain. The book is written for children age nine and older, and has recently won the National Parenting Center’s 2010 Holiday Seal of Approval. The adoption theme, and some of the issues adoptive families work through are present, but I wouldn’t classify this as solely an adoption book. It’s available at Barnes and Noble and should delight many a young reader!
Disclosure: I was sent a free copy of the book to review, the opinions of the book are all mine.