Wednesday, January 21, 2015

A Mom for Umande, A True Adoption Story by Maria Faulconer; Blog Tour: Book Review & Giveaway!


Hello and welcome to the next stop in the blog tour for A MOM FOR UMANDE. I am so thrilled to feature this heart warming story.



By: Maria Faulconer
Illustrated by: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Released on: April 3rd, 2014
Ages: children's picture book
Rating: 5 Owls - We Loved It!
Source: e-book from author to review in exchange for my honest review
Purchase it from: Amazon | B&N 
Add it to: Goodreads

The heart-tugging true story of how a baby gorilla found love in the arms of a surrogate mom

When Umande was born, his mother didn’t know how to take care of him. So, he was hand-reared by keepers at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. For eight months, the keepers crawled on the ground with him to show him how to walk; coughed in his face to teach him discipline; and gave him happy gorilla grumbles to encourage him. But for Umande, something was still missing. Luckily, a thousand miles away at the Columbus Zoo, a mom was waiting just for him.

This touching true story about finding a family will resonate with animal lovers and adoptive families alike. Share this book with fans of Owen & MzeeTarra & Bella, and Knut.
 

A beautiful read! This is one of the sweetest, and most touching children's books I have had the privilege of reading. From the story to the illustrations, everything about this book will pull at your heart strings. The beautiful thing about this story, is that it's true. 

When Umande, the baby gorilla is born, his mother didn't know how to take care of him, because she was a young, inexperienced gorilla. Though she was interested in him, she didn't know what he needed. Thankfully the Zoo Keepers at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where he was born at, did. They took care of him, until they found him the best home, with a mother gorilla who was waiting to love him and take care of him, as if he was her very own. 


I feel that this is a great book for those who like baby Umande, have been adopted. It's also a book that animal lovers will enjoy. As I mentioned above, this story is so sweet, and the illustrations are simply adorable! This is definitely worth picking up and reading. 



About Maria Faulconer

Maria Faulconer has published fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. She loves writing stories, especially ones that tug at the heartstrings. A huge animal lover, and an adoptive mom herself, she knew when she saw a photo of a baby gorilla snuggling with his surrogate mom that she had to tell their story – A Mom for Umande. Her first children’s book, Arianna and the Strawberry Tea, was used for a statewide literacy program. She currently writes for Colorado Springs Style magazine and is working on a YA novel. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two children.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Giveaway




Winner will receive a gift basket that includes a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of A MOM FOR UMANDE, a stuffed baby gorilla, a gorilla zoo book, a miniature wooden zoo train set, Gummi Bears, and rock candy!


 Follow the Tour:
Monday, January 12th - Geo Librarian (Review)
Wednesday, January 14th - Bumbles and Fairy-Tales (Review)
Friday, January 16th - In Between the Pages (Interview & Review)
Monday, January 19th - Such a Novel Idea (Review)
Wednesday, January 21st - Mundie Kids (Review)
Friday, January 23rd - Adoption Mama (Review)
Monday, January 26th - WS Momma Readers Nook (Review)
Wednesday, January 28th - A Leisure Moment (Podcast Interview & Review)
Friday, January 30th - Historical Fiction Obsession (Review)

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~