We hope the children in her practice will enjoy reading and putting their photos into their own copy of Chelsea’s Tree.

Teddy Bear conveys your love to a small child. $15.99

One of the perks of being the editor is getting to read children’s books and having a good excuse for it! Geared towards younger children (ages 4-8), Chelsea’s Tree is a simply delightful book! A hardcover book with a corded handle for easy carrying, Chelsea’s Tree is designed to “in preventing or alleviating a stepchild’s anguish and confusion as two families strive to meld into one”. The story of Chelsea begins with a call from her grandparents. They are bringing over her very own family tree to plant in her yard. As her grandfather plants the tree, Chelsea’s grandmother begins discussing with Chelsea the differences in her family and how having even more people in her family means having that many more people to love you. The book is also meant to be interactive for children and parents. An abundance of room for carrying family photos, a map to mark far away relatives around the world, and plenty of stickers for family members keep children involved with learning more about their family. A handy glossary in the back of the book describing how various family members are related is also very helpful. The author has also included a variety of resources for parents – stepfamily organizations, web sites and recommended books for both children and adults. Chelsea’s Tree is a wonderful book for younger children, especially young girls who will relate to Chelsea’s story. Review by Kim Peterson, Editor of FamilyFusion.com