Gina Rae Mitchell

Scoochie’s Adoption Story (Scoochie and Skiddles Book #2) by Tom Tracy | Book Review & Giveaway!

“I’m delighted to announce that my review of book one, Fun at Gramma’s, has been shared by Twinkl! For even more great recommendations, make sure to visit their TBR blog“

Book Details

Scoochie & Skiddles: Scoochie's Adoption Story by Tom Tracy
Series: Scoochie and Skiddles #2
on January 29, 2022
Genres: Adoption, Children's Picture Book, Children's, Family Life, LGBTQ
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 35

From the author of Scoochie & Skiddles in Fun at Gramma's - a #1 top reader-voted book (Reedsy Discovery), comes the much anticipated next release in the Scoochie & Skiddles series.

Scoochie was adopted by her two daddies through an open adoption. In Scoochie's Adoption Story, Scoochie takes you on the journey of her and her daddies’ adoption experience. She tells of the many distinct processes related to adoption such as the "match" process between her birth mom and daddies, the hospital and post-hospital experience, and the adoption hearing that legalized her adoption. Most importantly, she expresses her respect and positivity for her birth mom and birth family, while exuding immense pride and endless love for her two daddies and soon to be adopted sister.

While the book's theme is Scoochie's adoption, it honors and celebrates families of all types and structures. The story is an uplifting story about the bond family.

Narrated by the book's main character, Scoochie's Adoption Story is told in child-friendly language with adoption concepts presented in a manner that is easy for children to understand. It is a celebration of family, regardless of family composition or how a family has been created.

Through text and illustration, the story represents a wide variety of families and sends a strong message of diversity and inclusion. A perfect reading book for all families and especially for children of LGBT parents, diverse families, and families touched by adoption.

Those who may enjoy the book include All families and all children parents looking for books on diversity, birth parents, adoptive parents, adopted children, LGBT parents, and LGBT allies, diverse families / mixed-race families, adoption agencies / Adoption caseworkers, adoption attorneys, adoption facilitators, Individuals and couples considering adoption, Social Workers and Counselors, Teachers and Guidance Counselors, Child Protective Services / Family Preservation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) advocates

Source: Amazon Purchase, Kindle Unlimited, Received from the author or publisher for review.

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Purchase Links for Scoochie’s Adoption Story

Amazon        The Book Depository

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My thoughts on Scoochie’s Adoption Story

Tom Tracy and Scoochie are back to tell her Adoption Story.

 This delightful children’s book packs a lot of love, caring, education, and acceptance into a few short pages.

Scoochie is back. I love this little girl so much. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she makes me smile.

In the second book of the Scoochie and Skiddles series, Scoochie tells us all about her adoption.

We learn about her birth mother and sister. Her daddies had a special relationship with them before she was born. Her daddies were even at the hospital to help care for her when she was born.

We get a peek at her first vacation, which was a required 10-day stay in a hotel before she & her dads went home for the first time.

The extended family threw a big party and even Skiddles was there.

We learn about her trip before the judge to make them an official family.

And Scoochie lets us know she’s about to be a big sister as Daddy and Other Daddy are adopting another baby.

This wonderful inclusive tale warms the heart as it’s all about love. It doesn’t matter who makes up your family, as long as there is love all is right with the world.

I have to mention the beautiful illustrations by Dustin James. Every page is a delight to look at. Each time I read the book, I see something new. This would make a fun seek & find activity for kids, with a mini-story about what they see.

I highly recommend this book to everyone! I would love to see it in libraries, daycares, and of course, every home. It takes the oddity out of multi-racial, same-sex parents, and shows that every family is perfect just as they are…as long as there is love.

This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

You might also enjoy my review of Fun at Gramma’s, Scoochie and Skiddles Book 1

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More about Tom Tracy and Scoochie & Skiddles

When did you first discover that you wanted to write children’s stories?

I actually knew I wanted to write children’s stories since high school. I had a guidance counselor who would encourage me write and I would bring him fresh stories a couple of times every month. I still have some of those early stories. They’re not good. Ha!

When was your first book published?

Believe it or not, my first book, Scoochie & Skiddles in Fun at Gramma’s, wasn’t published until last year – nearly 35 years after those early high school days. Every time that I put pen to paper prior to that, the story just felt contrived or formulaic. It wasn’t genuine. I really started to abandon hope.

What changed?

When my husband and I adopted our first daughter in 2016, our whole world changed. Both our daughters (we’re in the process of finalizing our second adoption) have brought immense joy to our lives. They also gave us the opportunity to see the world anew, through their eyes. And that inspired me. Their insatiable curiosity, their innocence and acceptance, and their capacity for unconditional love reawakened my desire to give back to children what they so freely give to us. So, both my daughters, as well as the other children in our family, serve as the character muses for my books.

I loved Fun at Gramma’s. Who are Scoochie & Skiddles in your family?

Scoochie is our oldest daughter – she’s 5 years old now. When she was born, she was constantly squirming around. My husband gave her the nickname “Scoochie Pants”. Over the years, that nickname has stuck, but it has just been shortened to “Scoochie”. Skiddles is my daughter’s older cousin. To be honest, at first, she didn’t like her nickname, but now that she sees herself and her nickname in a book, I think she’s fallen in love with it. Together these two are quite the team – it is hard to match their energy, but we all certainly try to keep up.

Speaking of your daughter, your newest book, Scoochie’s Adoption Story is about your family’s adoption experience. How much of that is based on your actual experience?

Oh, all of it. We were camping last year and a little girl approached my daughter and asked about her parents. She pointed us out to this girl, who then quietly approached me and asked in a whispered tone, “Is she adopted?” I told this little girl that our daughter is proud of her adoption and that it was safe to ask her directly about it. Scoochie’s Adoption Story is based on what I overheard our daughter subsequently sharing about her adoption experience. It was so heart-warming to hear her tell the story with such love and pride. I was nearly in tears listening.

It is a beautiful story. How is it being received so far?

Families of all types have shared how much they appreciate this story and the rich diversity of families and characters represented throughout the book. One adoptive family told me their daughter wanted to immediately bring the book to school to help her class have a better understanding of adoption. I’ve also engaged “kid reviewers” and their comments have melted my heart. They’ve shared how happy of a story this is and that it doesn’t matter if you have a mommy and a daddy or two daddies because love is what makes a family.

Well, it certainly sounds like you have indeed found your inspiration. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next with Scoochie & Skiddles.

Thanks, Gina. This truly has been a wonderful journey and one that has been well worth the wait. Scoochie & Skiddles have many stories that have yet to be told and I’m looking forward to telling them.

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Giveaway!

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Amazon Easy Link

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Paperback

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The Scoochie & Skiddles website also offers free coloring pages and don’t miss the merchandise page. You’ll find many great items to go along with the books. Again, these will make treasured gifts for little loved ones.

Scoochie’s Adoption Story was awarded 5-Stars by Readers’ Favorite website.