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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Brandy Vaughn

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A story about adoption from a child’s view point. Nice illustrations. I like how in the book there’s a sentence taking about being related by “love and law,” which is an interesting way to describe adoption. The description isn’t one I would have thought to use! It would be nice to have some kind of phrase like the to describe birth parents. The book reads like poetry and the text is the right amount to keep kids engaged with the story. Oliver thinks about his birth parents the way a young child might fantasize in real life. I think this is a strong point of the plot. The explanation of why he was adopted from Oliver’s point of view show a health acceptance and is age appropriate. I would recommend this book for kids who have questions about adoption but not able to fully understand the situation in an adult way.
Review by: @bilberrysweet

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jamie Burns

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Lois Wickstrom crafted a unique story about adoption and the anger children may face in its wake. While the children might be mad about other situations, this book could help them open up and talk to their parents about what is bothering them. Many children wonder about their birth family- what they are doing, why they had to be given up if they have siblings, and many more questions. Oliver ventures into what his life would be like if he was with his birth parents, but is reminded why he was adopted. This book would be a great way to speak to a child or children about what they are going through.

Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dahnielle Hibbert

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A cute story about how children, no matter what type of family unit they come from, fantasize about the life they would live if they were brought up in a different family. Oliver is adopted and becomes angry at his father for disciplining him and so he goes into a fantasy world imagining who his birth parents are. The drawings while simple are still beautiful. Overall this was a solid four stars!

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Deb Robinson

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a cute book about the topic of adoption. I think it is an important subject that children should all understand and not just adopted children. I read this story to my grandson and he loved the alligator characters that he could count. The book explores the feelings a child may have on the subject and reinforces that it is alright to talk openly about it.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois June Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Oliver to my 6 year old. Before we started, I asked if he knew what adoption is or what it means to be adopted. He said no, not really. We have “adopted” a cat, and he has a friend who is adopted, but it’s not something they talk about… I think the book did a good job of explaining WHY a kid might be put up for adoption, and a gentle way of explaining it for kids. It also addresses the wonder and curiosity that is normal for a kid to have regarding their birth parents. It did a good job of explaining adoption in a kind, loving and gentle way for young readers. We do wish the pictures were colored, rather than just drawings. My son liked seeing the imagined parents in lots of different scenes and professions. I think this is a good book for elementary school aged kids to learn about adoption in a judgement free way.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Michelle G

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this story. It explained adoption in easy to understand terms for kids! Most importantly the messaging was that it doesn’t matter whether you live with adopted parents or birth parents so long as they love you. A cute, engaging read!

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Lyndsey Fairley

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My daughter has a new love for reading and this brought up a great conversation about how every family is different. This book as usual with this author, was done so well, the illustrations were bright and eye catching. WIll be getting this book to add to our library shelve here at home.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Lyndsey Fairley

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My daughter has a new love for reading and this brought up a great conversation about how every family is different. This book as usual with this author, was done so well, the illustrations were bright and eye catching. WIll be getting this book to add to our library shelve here at home.

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Oliver: A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom Reviewed by Christina Gran

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom

SUCH a cute book. Loved the illustrations throughout the book and the message. Both my 10yr old son & 18 month grandson enjoyed the book and wanted me to reread! A true “feel good” story for the littles and would be a perfect gift for an adoptive family!
In the story, Oliver demonstrates that everyone, adopted or biologically birthed to the family, often reflect on what it might be like to belong to another family.
Best quote of the book is located in the opening paragraph: “he is related to his dad & mom by love & law”. Magnificent way to sum up the term adoption

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Erica Fish

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a good children’s story. The plot of the story is engaging. I could see reading this to a young child through 2 grade. The characters are engaging and tell a story about feelings. You see Oliver is adopted and he starts to question where he would be if he stayed with his birth parents. Oliver has been sent to his room by his dad, His punishment made Oliver start thinking about his birth parents and what he could be doing. I really enjoyed this book. It was a great way to talk about adoption and how it has made Oliver feel. I highly recommend this book.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Heather Stanley

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such an amazing book. It is educational for kids, learning about adoption but also learning about how to work through their overwhelming emotions. It is also a heartwarming story. It shows how they are not alone in their feelings and situations. I love reading children’s stories so I can recommend them to my family and friends who have kids, this will definitely be one of them.

By @heather26

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Anantha Rusum

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book primarily focuses on issues faced when a child is adopted. The child always tends to think that if he/she were with their real parents things “could” have been better.
Oliver lives with his adoptive parents, and one day, after getting scolded by his dad on a silly mistake, he goes into his room and sulks if things would have been better if he was with his real parents. Would they have scolded him? Or would they have loved him better.
But then he comes downstairs with his parents baking cookies and being very loving to him. They are very understanding and tell him that the emotions he is going through are normal and they have to work out a solution with love.
This is a book which will sensitize children on the topic of adoption. It is tackled in a subtle and gentle way. I quite liked the book.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Angela Plate, June 2022

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a cute story. I wasn’t adopted but I never knew my birth mother and have wondered many times what she would be like. On the other hand, I wouldn’t change the woman who raised me for any other. I think all children adopted or not wonder from time to time what it’s like on the “other side” and this book sums it up so well.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Paula R Sayers

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oliver is adopted and mad at his parents. He dreams about all of the things he could be doing if he were with his biological parents. After a conversation with his parents, he realizes he is exactly where he belongs.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Caralee Loonat

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing book that helps explain about adoption. The author does a wonderful job of writing about this subject. The characters are good and the subject matter is handled really well. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to explain to their child that they are adopted. The book has a very creative and unique style and the characters are very natural.

This is just a great example of how the adopted child might feel and what questions maybe on their minds. It can be a difficult conversation to have for parents and I feel that this book maybe just an easier or creative way to try and have the talk. The author really has brought the characters to life as well with a very imaginative writing style. I would definitely read more from this author in future.

Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Kerry Baker

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a truly lovely and heart-warming story. This is such a great way highlighting the feelings adoption can bring up. It shows that it is a normal situation and helps kids to understand it a little more. Even beyond that the story itself is just enjoyable. My daughter loved reading it and I found it to be engaging enough for me to enjoy it with her.
This author isn’t one I had read until recently but she is definitely becoming a favourite in our household.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Bethany Rucker

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Oliver got into trouble and was sent to his room by his adopted dad. While there he imagines what it would be like to live with his birth parents. He dreams about what they could be doing for a living. What cool things could he be doing with them? But once he is over the anger of being sent to his room, he realizes with the help of his parents that all children fantasize about living a different life.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oliver is a lizard-like creature who is sent to his room after being scolded by his adoptive parents. In his room, Oliver sulks and wishes he had a different life. He wonders how different things would be if he were with his “real parents”. Would they treat him differently? Would his “real parents” have scolded him? After Oliver has spent some time in his room his parents talk to him and explain to him that his feelings were normal and that all children feel like that at some point. After his parents share stories with him of their own childhood experiences with those same feelings Oliver decides to stay.

This book was written in simple language that was easy to understand and the illustrations really pull together the message being delivered. I feel that the use of language in reference to “real parents” is quite accurate in how an adopted child would feel, or any child for that matter, when feeling angry or upset after being scolded by their parents.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Katie Matthews

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a cute story and would be a great read for children whether they are adopted or not. I’m pretty sure everyone at some point has wished their parent weren’t theirs so I think that this story would help the see that that’s ok to feel that way at times. I have no experience with adoption but I can imagine this being a nice story to read to younger children to help them express their feelings. The language is simple and is easy for children to follow and understand. It did finish a little abruptly I felt however it’s still a good 4 star read.

@katiem
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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Alexandria Richard

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Only able to give a 4 because I feel like this book should have had more closure in the end, but I still thought the life lesson here about adoption is relevant and real.

I did think that the story was very believable for what adopted children will do and go through when hardships arise with their adopted family.
It’s easy for adopted children to think of “what if” and all the questions of “why” or “who.” when it comes to their birth parents. I did appreciate that Oliver’s adoptive parents confirmed that they loved him dearly and wanted him as their son. There was no question about that.

I thought the artwork was very well done. I loved the black and white scheme the illustrator used.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom, Reviewed by Keri Leach

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oliver is a great children’s story about adoption. Adoption is not talked about enough today, so I think this book is a great conversation starter for our little ones to learn more about it. I also love how it touches on the adopted and their expressions and feelings, which in turn makes it a great book for any adopted child. This adorable story was written well, and the illustrations were perfect! This is a well written book for a wide range of adoption perspectives that I believe every child should read.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jaimie Salmon-Colburn

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a great teaching book for younger kids. Being adopted has many struggles that can come up. It teaches kids that many people imagine different lives when they are in trouble and/or upset and that it is normal. Especially when you’ve been adopted and don’t know much about your birth family. The book follows an adopted lizard named Oliver. Oliver is playing and climbs a little tree that he is pretending is a pirate ship. The tree is young and because of Oliver’s weight and the tree’s flexible branches he falls overboard onto the grass and hurts his hip. As he’s in his room upset and thinking about how to play more safely he thinks about his birth parents. He imagines many different things. He thinks about a different life that he could be living if he wasn’t in his room upset. It’s a cute book and the pictures are fun. My now 7 year old enjoyed the book very much when we read it together at bedtime. It was also a great book to read and then talk about adopted families and how other kids may feel.

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Reviewed by @jaimie0459

Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Tia Martel

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Oliver gets in trouble for climbing a tree that wasn’t ready for it, he finds himself upset and in his room thinking about what life would be like if he weren’t adopted.

Like many kids, Oliver wonders what it would be like to have a different family. Would he still be in trouble? What would his family be like? Would he have a big family or small? But just as we have all likely wondered, we’ve all come to conclude our lives would be a lot different if we weren’t where we were.

This is an adorable book about how family is what you make it and shows a great, realistic perspective of a child’s mind when they don’t get their way.

As an adoptive mother, I’m excited to share this story with my little one as he grows up and wonders about his biological family. Definitely recommend this book for families of all kinds!

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Sarah King

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oliver is just another book in the list of hits by Wickstrom. This book was a cute and simply way to explain different reasons adoptions take place as well as a few of the feelings an adopted child may experience. It tells them everyone not just adopted child at different points in life have the same feelings. This book normalized adoption in a way that would make sense to a young child. I would absolutely take the opportunity to read as well as share this book.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Rachel Moss

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought this was a really cute read for children! Not only is it inclusive for kids that have been adopted but it also paves the way to talk about anger issues and how to handle things when they don’t go your way. I loved the illustrations and thought they were adorable and fit the story very well. I would definitely recommend this to parents who have adopted or are considering adoption.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by katie stapleton

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great story for kids to read! It normalizes struggles that people who are adopted go through and lets you know that strong feelings are normal! We need more books like this where people can see themselves and acknowledge that everyone has a different life story but we can all help to make the best of the situation we are handed. There are things both in our control and out of control that can affect the way we react and being able to see that represented in a book is very therapeutic. I would love to read more stories by this author!

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Donya Pedigo

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Oliver gets in trouble he goes to his room upset. In his room he starts thinking about what life would be like if he was still living with his biological parents instead of being adopted. He ponders what it would be like to have a different family and how much that would change his life. Would he have brothers and sisters? Would he get in trouble like he did now? Would he live with one parent or both parents? So many questions and different possibilities compared to his life now.

This is an amazing book about different kinds of families and the thoughts that go through a child’s imagination. This book would be wonderful for anyone dealing with adoption. I also think any kid who gets in trouble would also enjoy this book, because they can see that even if they get in trouble and dream they were somewhere else in some other family, that in the end their family loves them no matter what. It is a really great and powerful message!

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

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Oliver, A Story About AdoptionOliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars
Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom

Oliver, A Story of Adoption is a children’s book about adoption and we absolutely loved reading it. This is for ages 3 to 9 but honestly I think any age would enjoy it. There’s a great message to be learned from this book. I have three niece’s and nephews that my brother and sister in law adopted and I love them just the same if not more then if they were blood related. They are now old enough to seek out their real mom if they choose. My four year old learned from this and asked lots of questions. I love Oliver and my son did to. This is a short book and I highly recommend reading this cute book and we look forward to reading more from this Author.

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Cindy Mayberry

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a grand story for children of all ages. Children who are adopted as well as those not. This story shows Oliver’s train of thought when he was angry. Not at the tree he climbed, but at the parents who care for him. Sometimes books explain things better than the adults who love us. This is one of those. The author really looked at adoption from a child’s eyes. The story is well written as well as the illustrations that help tell the story. This is a must have in your library and on your child’s shelf of books. This author has many help books that open the eyes of our children. She is definitely a must have in my library. I hope it is yours too.
Review@cinful

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Oliver, A Story of Adoption by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Jess Engel

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Oliver: A Story about AdoptionOliver: A Story about Adoption by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting take on a story of adoption. The illustrations were cute and the story was easy to read. There were elements of the story that normalized childhood imagination and the need we all have to belong. It was an easy read and I think would generally be enjoyed by children and could be relatable. I love the author trying to tackle the topic of adoption and addressing the reality how children of adoption may wonder about their biological parents.

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