Gina Rae Mitchell

Finding Family in a Far Away Land by Amanda Wall | Review, Giveaway, & Author Interview

A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me the information for this tour.

Book Details

Finding Family in a Far-Away Land: An Adoption Story by Amanda Wall
Published by BOOKBABY on 03/29/2021
Genres: Adoption, Inspirational & Personal Growth, Juvenile Nonfiction, Non-fiction, Biography, Parenting, Social Themes, Children's, Family Life, Multi-Cultural, Social Services & Welfare
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 44

Every adoption experience is uniquely different but the yearning to have unconditional family love is universal.

Two Indian sisters, Priya and Ari, experience what it's like to be adopted into a multi-cultural, interracial family. Walk alongside these two charming, dynamic girls as they journey through the adoption transition to a new country full of new experiences!

"Finding Family in a Far-Away Land" is a pensive and sometimes comical book that demonstrates how children can experience the same journey quite differently.

A glossary of cultural terms is included so that all can learn and enjoy what Ari and Priya cherish about their Indian roots.

This story is meant to be a resource to those hoping to learn about one family's adoption experience— and may even help a child process their own adoption story. The intended audience for this book is children ages 4-10.

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Source: iRead Book Tours, Received from the author or publisher for review.

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Purchase Links for Finding Family

Amazon     Amazon UK     BookShop/IndieBound

Barnes & Noble     Waterstones     The Book Depository     Chapters/Indigo

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My thoughts on Finding Family in a Far Away Place

I enjoyed reading this book about adopting children from another country and culture. Priya narrates the story of her and her sister Avi’s life in Telangana, India where hardship is the only way of life. Without food and clean water, these two orphans were severely malnourished and ill when they arrived at the orphanage called a Sishu Gruha, where they are cared for by the “Aunties”.

From there they are adopted by an American family and travel to their new home. Lots of medical care and adjustments are needed for them to thrive.

It is wonderful to see them grow into their new life and embrace different cultural lives while maintaining their Indian culture and teaching friends about their previous way of life. This family has the art of meshing cultures together to benefit the entire home.

Priya teaches us about her favorite foods, clothing, and holidays from India and her new American home.

I appreciated the use of Indian words throughout the tale, as well as the glossary in the back. I learned so much from this short little book. I highly recommend this culturally diverse story to families, libraries, daycares, and schools.

Pick up a copy of Finding Family in a Far Away Place today. You won’t be sorry.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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Author Interview

What made you write “Finding Family in a Far-Away Land?”

Writing this story was a pleasant surprise. My daughters had many questions about their adoption transition and asked us to retell the story of how they were adopted many times. I decided to write it down in a children’s book format to help them process their entire experience. Reading it to them opened many doors for discussion and the sharing of memories. Seeing that it was therapeutic for my daughters prompted our family to want to share it with others in hopes of educating or discussing adoption!

 

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, other than yourself, you would you be?

I would want to be Tori, our pet dog, in the book. I’d love to be Tori in real life! She seems like she is having the most fun alongside the kids. Her personality truly comes through in the story when she’s stealing food from the table, dancing at Diwali, and dressing up like a superhero. She has a very joyful presence about her and ultimately just wants to always be involved with the family.

 

Since you are a mom writer and illustrator, how do you balance your time?

I tend to write when my children are at school or asleep, but I often illustrate with them. I am fortunate to have very creative kids who enjoy sitting at the dining table with me. They will paint alongside me and often try to immolate what I’m painting which I find endearing. I draw a lot of inspiration from them too because their drawings are very playful and whimsical. The other day my daughter Priya created an oil pastel of herself as an Indian Tooth Fairy and I was captured by her creation.

 

Do you snack or drink on something while writing?

Yes! Lately, I’ve been into making various teas like turmeric or mint. I also like making homemade Mexican hot chocolate with cayenne pepper and cinnamon. Perhaps it wakes up my senses a bit. I find chocolate helps with the creativity or at least that’s what I tell myself.

 

What’s the greatest compliment you’ve received as a writer?

I received an email from a teacher who said she read the story in her classroom. Afterwards, a student, who was adopted from Haiti, came up to her said “I love you for reading this book today.” That sincerely touched my heart because I realized I provided this child a voice to be understood by her peers. I imagine her experience being adopted from Haiti was very different from India, but she related emotionally.

 

What is your next project?

Conversations about adoption change and grow as my children grow. I think it would be fun to write a book that appeals to older children with some of the challenges we face as a family or one that highlights being a multicultural family in America. I personally have grown a great deal from becoming an adoptive parent. I’m very grateful for my family so it’s likely I’ll write a children’s book about what I have gained from becoming a mom to these four kids. That would be a fun tribute to them.

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Giveaway!

Enter to win a signed copy of Amanda Wall’s FINDING FAMILY IN A FAR-AWAY LAND! (one winner/USA only) (ends July 23)

FINDING FAMILY IN A FAR-AWAY LAND Book Tour Giveaway

Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!

June 21 – Rockin’ Book Reviews
June 21 – Cover Lover Book Review
June 22 – A Mama’s Corner of the World
June 23 – The Adventures of a Travelers Wife
June 24 – Locks, Hooks, and Books
June 25 – Literary Flits
June 28 –Older & Smarter?
June 29 – Cheryl’s Book Nook
June 30 – The Phantom Paragrapher
June 30 – Cover Lover Book Review
July 1 – @twilight_teader
July 1 – Bound 4 Escape
July 2 – Reading is My Passion
July 6 – Gina Rae Mitchell
July 6 – Sandra’s Book Club
July 8 – Jazzy Book Reviews
July 9 – Lisa’s Reading
July 9 – Pause for Tales
July 12 – Reading Authors Network
July 13 – Splashes of Joy
July 14 – The Bespectacled Mother
July 14 – I Read What You Write
July 15 – Sahar’s Blog
July 16 – Books for Books

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Purchase Finding Family online from a local book store.

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