I Don't Have Your Eyesby Carrie Kitze ------------------------------------------------------------------------Family connections are vitally important to children as they begin to find their place in the world. For transracial and transcultural adoptees, domestic adoptees, and for children in foster care or kinship placements, celebrating the differences within their families as well as the similarities that connect them, is the foundation for belonging. As parents or caregivers, we can strengthen our children’s tie to family and embrace the differences that make them unique. Each child will have their own story and their own special place to belong.

This beautifully illustrated and uplifting book, for the 1-5 set, will help to create the intimate parent/caregiver and child bond that is so important. While others may notice the physical differences between us on the outside, inside we are the same.

The other wonderful use for this book is as a tool in the classroom to discuss outside differences, inside sameness. A guide has been developed for use by a parent or educator in the Pre-K, K or First Grade classroom. It is attached to this presskit, and can be downloaded from the www.emkpress.com site, click on the teacher resources tab.

Gail Steinberg from PACT an Adoption Alliance has created a guide for families touched by transracial and transcultural adoption. It and other parent guides are available on the EMK Press website in the guides/resources section.

Author Bio—Carrie KitzeCarrie Kitze is an adoptive mom, writer, marketing consultant and speaker at adoption conferences and events . She is the author of tow children’s books, We See the Moon, a gentle book to help children emotionally connect to their birthparents and I Don’t Have Your Eyes, an uplifting book that helps to create intimate bonds between parent and child. An advocate for adoptive parents and children, as well as a fundraiser to help children worldwide, she believes that each child deserves their own special place to belong. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Rob, and their two daughters.

Illustrator Bio–Rob WilliamsRob Williams started his career as a fashion illustrator nearly 30 years ago. Since then, he has served a wide range of national and international clients as an illustrator, art director and award winning graphic designer. He has illustrated a series of children’s books for continental Press including “Mole and Vole go Fishing” and a “Tune for June”. Rob lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Eileen, and their youngest daughter, Emily, from China.

REVIEWS

Beth O'Malley M.Ed adoptee and newly adoptive Mom ....Author of Lifebooks, Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child

Don't be fooled by the cover. Carrie's newest creation speaks to the entire adoption and foster community. " I Don't Have Your Eyes" is the novel, one-of-a kind kids' adoption book we have needed.

Although a " feel good" book, there is nothing sterotypical about how adoption is discussed. The illustrations include and normalize all different type of families.

"I Don't Have Your Eyes" helps kids go beyond " blood" and "genes" as the only important ties between family members. Instead, Carrie gently points out even more important, shared strengths and similarities. The book's concrete examples (with a little dab of humor) are delightful.

Congratulations to Ms. Kitze for carefully considering the needs of the adoption community as she publishes her 'adoption and empowerment themed books.

A Parentfrom VALENCIA, PA I have found this book to be an excellent connecting point with our children who were adopted. The way that Kitze acknowledges physical differences and yet affirms the similarities that truly matter is reassuring for children who have concerns about not resembling their adoptive or foster parents. Multicultural illustrations add to the thoughtful writing.   A Parent from Rochester, NY Carrie Kitze has written a wonderful story for all families to enjoy together. My girls, ages 5 and 2, ask me to read it over and over again. As a mom to one daughter from China and one from Cambodia, I especially enjoy the message the book sends- we may look different on the outside, but on the inside, we are the same.

Book DetailsReinforced School/Library binding Hardbound with dust jacket, acid free paper ISBN: 0-9726244-2-2LCCN: 2001012345size: 10 x 9" 32 pages$16.95

Ages 1-5

This book is available at www.emkpress.com, Amazon, Tapestry Books, Chinasprout, Adoptshoppe, Emily’s Books, Baker & Taylor, Quality Books, Broadart, Meklin Library Media, special order at Barnes and Noble and Borders, or by special order from your local independent bookstore.

For larger versions of our cover images suitable for full color printing, please visit http://www.emkpress.com/about.html and scroll down.____________________________________________________________

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