Aussie mum, Karen Below, has taken to the publishing world with her incredible children’s book to get kids talking about adoption.
The Adventures of Koko and Joey sees a gorgeous family made up of three kangaroos and one koala, Koko.
The book itself is simply stunning, in its exploration of the beauty of having a loving family – and how broad that word ‘family’ really is. Children’s books are amazing like that, they have the power to discuss powerful topics, using perfectly orchestrated words and gorgeous illustrations.
This story, in particular, shows Koko and Joey meeting a curious observer of their family. Innocent ignorance is something many of us can relate to. Only 25 years ago my classmates couldn’t imagine growing up in a household of divorce, while my sister and I saw that as the norm!
“When we adopted Kayla as a baby we read this story to her and our son all the time. We wanted them to understand that no matter how you come into the world you are so very loved.” – Author, Karen Below
Koko and Joey is one of those books that every family needs to read and discuss. While there is no doubt this book will promote belonging within adopted families, it is far more powerful than that. Koko and Joey is a children’s book that educates those that aren’t familiar with family structures different to their own.
“We wanted people to understand that just because you may not share the same blood line, love is powerful and unconditional.” – Karen Below
Whether your family includes adoption, divorce, same-sex parents, single parents, this book resonates with everyone in their own way.
While this is a children’s book about adoption, it really is allegorical for all the different family structures. The key message is this: family is love and it takes more than blood, DNA – you name it! – to meet that definition.
The Adventures of Koko and Joey can be ordered here.
