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A Blessing from Above: An Adoption Story
Not yet published
Expected 28 Oct 25A beautiful story about adoption—and how each child is a blessing.
Every night before she goes to sleep, a kangaroo prays under the stars for a baby to love and hold. One day, as she rests under a tree, a baby bird falls out of its crowded nest—plop!—right into her pouch!
Now, every night before they fall asleep, Momma-Roo and Little One thank God for all their blessings . . . but especially for each other.
The book closes with a quote from Ephesians 1:5: “In love he destined us for adoption to himself. . . .�
Every night before she goes to sleep, a kangaroo prays under the stars for a baby to love and hold. One day, as she rests under a tree, a baby bird falls out of its crowded nest—plop!—right into her pouch!
Now, every night before they fall asleep, Momma-Roo and Little One thank God for all their blessings . . . but especially for each other.
The book closes with a quote from Ephesians 1:5: “In love he destined us for adoption to himself. . . .�
24 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 1998
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106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 19, 2019
Genre: Religious Picture Book
Awards: n/a
Audience: 3-7 years
A. I know this is a religious picture book because the story is told through both words and pictures. Also, it has religious elements such as a reference to Heaven.
B. One visual element that stands out is color. The subdued colors utilized throughout the book add to the ethereal mood of the story which emphasizes the religious aspect of the book and the reference to a peaceful place such as Heaven.
C. I would use this book in a group read-aloud in a Sunday school because it includes animals which capture the attention of many children and it also has an important religious message.
D. What animal did the Momma-Roo take care of? A baby bluebird.
Awards: n/a
Audience: 3-7 years
A. I know this is a religious picture book because the story is told through both words and pictures. Also, it has religious elements such as a reference to Heaven.
B. One visual element that stands out is color. The subdued colors utilized throughout the book add to the ethereal mood of the story which emphasizes the religious aspect of the book and the reference to a peaceful place such as Heaven.
C. I would use this book in a group read-aloud in a Sunday school because it includes animals which capture the attention of many children and it also has an important religious message.
D. What animal did the Momma-Roo take care of? A baby bluebird.
January 25, 2021
Wonderful book about adoption and will be a great tool in counseling sessions about adoption. Honestly, just a great and sqeet read.
April 23, 2021
This is a very tender book about a mother kangaroo with an empty pouch. It is about adoption and is very sweet.
October 11, 2015
Title / Author / Publication Date:
A Blessing From Above / Henderson, Patti. Edge, Liz (ill.) / 1999
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book � print
Plot summary:
Every night Momma-Roo prays for a baby. As she sits under a tree, imagining her life with a baby, a baby bluebird falls out of a crowded nest and falls into her pouch. The mother bluebird “knew her nest was not big enough for all her chicks,� and was happy to let Momma-Roo adopt her. The story opens and ends with New Testament Scripture.
Review citation:
K-Gr 2-This sentimental picture book, which begins and ends with New Testament Scripture, is about a mother kangaroo that prays for a baby. Seeing other animals with their young only intensifies her longing. When a baby bird falls out of an overcrowded nest and lands in the kangaroo's pouch, she hugs her "blessing from above" and decides to raise it as her own. There are several problems with this adoption story. Apart from the questionable circumstance of the mother bird being delighted to have a chick for which she has no room adopted, or calling a childless kangaroo "Momma-Roo," Henderson's story has the wrong focus for the intended audience. It is not on the youngster being adopted, but on the mother and her desires. Edge's watercolor and pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations depict a tranquil countryside complete with blooming flowers, ducks on a lake, and a large willow tree-hardly the environment in which to find a kangaroo. Jamie Lee Curtis's Tell Me Again about the Night I Was Born (HarperCollins, 1996) is a far more suitable, child-centered choice. (Marianne Saccardi, School Library Journal)
Section source used to find the material: | Monroe County Public Library, Indiana.
Recommended age: Ages 3-8
A Blessing From Above / Henderson, Patti. Edge, Liz (ill.) / 1999
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book � print
Plot summary:
Every night Momma-Roo prays for a baby. As she sits under a tree, imagining her life with a baby, a baby bluebird falls out of a crowded nest and falls into her pouch. The mother bluebird “knew her nest was not big enough for all her chicks,� and was happy to let Momma-Roo adopt her. The story opens and ends with New Testament Scripture.
Review citation:
K-Gr 2-This sentimental picture book, which begins and ends with New Testament Scripture, is about a mother kangaroo that prays for a baby. Seeing other animals with their young only intensifies her longing. When a baby bird falls out of an overcrowded nest and lands in the kangaroo's pouch, she hugs her "blessing from above" and decides to raise it as her own. There are several problems with this adoption story. Apart from the questionable circumstance of the mother bird being delighted to have a chick for which she has no room adopted, or calling a childless kangaroo "Momma-Roo," Henderson's story has the wrong focus for the intended audience. It is not on the youngster being adopted, but on the mother and her desires. Edge's watercolor and pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations depict a tranquil countryside complete with blooming flowers, ducks on a lake, and a large willow tree-hardly the environment in which to find a kangaroo. Jamie Lee Curtis's Tell Me Again about the Night I Was Born (HarperCollins, 1996) is a far more suitable, child-centered choice. (Marianne Saccardi, School Library Journal)
Section source used to find the material: | Monroe County Public Library, Indiana.
Recommended age: Ages 3-8
July 8, 2010
A story about adoption that references the birth mother and shows the connection made between the adopted mother and baby. A spirited kangaroo wishes for a baby like all of the other mothers and she waits for the right time—“Every night before she went to sleep, she prayed that some day her pouch would be filled with a baby to love and hold and care for.� A baby bird falls into the kangaroo’s pouch and the momma bird says that her nest isn’t big enough and she is happy that her youngest is cared for, so the kangaroo adopts the bird and they live happily together. The book ends with the mom and baby praying to God, thanking Him for each other and a verse from the Bible.
The illustrations are done in pastel watercolors and black line, showing nature in soothing tones.
The author is an adoptive mother of two boys and the illustrator was adopted as a child.
The illustrations are done in pastel watercolors and black line, showing nature in soothing tones.
The author is an adoptive mother of two boys and the illustrator was adopted as a child.
April 18, 2012
Every night before she goes to sleep, a kangaroo prays under the stars for a baby to love and hold. One day, as she rests under a tree, a baby bird falls out of its crowded nest—plop!—right into her pouch!
Now, every night before they fall asleep, Momma-Roo and Little One thank God for all their blessings . . . but especially for each other.
The book closes with a quote from Ephesians 1:5: “In love he destined us for adoption to himself. . . .�
Great to use for my religion class and the introduce Scripture to the students!
Now, every night before they fall asleep, Momma-Roo and Little One thank God for all their blessings . . . but especially for each other.
The book closes with a quote from Ephesians 1:5: “In love he destined us for adoption to himself. . . .�
Great to use for my religion class and the introduce Scripture to the students!
April 24, 2012
I loved this story. It sensitively deals with the emotions and choices of the birth and adoptive mother. A great story anyway, but definitely recommend to anyone who has adopted or been adopted.
The fact that the author herself has adopted 2 children, & the illustator is an adopted child is how I think they have been able to give that special touch to the story.
For Christians, this story also shows answers to prayers, thanks to God for His blessing, & a simple way to teach how we are adopted into God's family.
The fact that the author herself has adopted 2 children, & the illustator is an adopted child is how I think they have been able to give that special touch to the story.
For Christians, this story also shows answers to prayers, thanks to God for His blessing, & a simple way to teach how we are adopted into God's family.
May 2, 2008
This story is a nice tale of adoption, with the exception that the author portrays the child being adopted as a bird who fell out of its mommy's nest, and the mommy already had so many other little birdies that there was no room for this one. So sad, and not exactly the way I think adoptive parents would like the magic of adoption to be portrayed to their children. However, for a very young child, I think it demonstrates the ability to love and nurture, despite our differences.
July 3, 2008
I love reading this book to my two youngest. It's a simple story with a message about adoption. A kangaroo wishes for a baby but can't have one then one day a baby bird falls from a tree and she looks after it. As a mother of 3 adopted children this touches me deeply and is a great way of keeping the idea of adoption in the minds of my youngest who are a litle young to truly understand at the moment
March 4, 2011
This is a very cute book about a kangaroo who "adopts" a bluebird. I like how the "birth-bird" is portrayed as making the best choice she could for her little one, how the "birthmom" and "adoptive mom" pray for each other and appreciate each other. My 3 year old son asks me to read this to him often and I'm happy to oblige. (note: my only complaint is the cheaply made book binding; it will not hold up under the care of little hands.)
May 30, 2010
This book reminds me of our adoption story. Not that Z "fell out" of anything, but that his birth mom couldn't take care of another child and recognized that she wanted him to have a better life and that she could bless OUR lives!
August 30, 2012
This is another one we read from the library READS and overdrive program. It is a Christian Little Golden Book on the theme of adoption and it J's from the late 90s so to myind it is a newer one. I quite like the illustrations and for those involved in adoption I think ot would make a great gift.
September 2, 2013
A cute story about a momma kangaroo with an empty pouch who end up "adopting" a baby bird who has fallen out of his nest because it was too crowded. A good adoption-paralleling story for ages 2and up.
October 17, 2010
A great story to introduce adoption to younger children. My girls love this book.
July 25, 2011
Precious book on a kangaroo adopting a baby blue bird.
December 2, 2014
It is a book about a mama kangaroo adopting a baby bird. It is very sweet but it isn't the best book for older adopted kids. It is more relatable for kids adopted as babies.
December 3, 2012
This was one of the first adoption books I ever read. I feel like it prepared me a little more to go down the road that led me to my girls. Such a sweet story. Grab kleenex!
July 26, 2016
Kangaroo who wants to be a mother ends up with a baby bird who's real mother sees this and ignores it. Ends with a line of scripture. A bit odd.
March 27, 2016
Cute little story about adoption with beautiful illustrations
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December 30, 2016Good book
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