[DET62]

I am a part-time writer, but I have not had much time to write lately. I want to write a children's book [or books] that might be helpful to older children coming into a family. I am adopting a 10 year old boy from Kazakhstan later this year, and there are so many things he will need to learn about being part of a family.

I have spent so much time teaching my daughter [adopted at 13] what it's like to be in a family. We had to teach her things like putting your napkin in your lap when you eat, to not punching all the buttons on the security keypad, to how it's OK to say you're angry - just so many, many things, large and small. I was thinking if I had had a book to show her, with good illustrations and in Russian as well as English, it might have helped her understand better what a famly is like.

I was thinking ideally it should be a colorful book aimed at kids 5-12. Is that too big an age range? I was also thinking it would be effective if it were a story that is personal, something like "Anya and Her New Family" - showing the journey of one child and how she copes.

Anyone else think this is a good idea? I am not looking to make a lot of money, just to help families adjust to adopting older kids.

Any thoughts or ideas you have on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dee