Published Works

Why Are You My Mother?
A Mother’s Response to Her Adopted Daughter

Written by Deborah Hamilton
Illustrated by Jamie Andrules
Softcover, 16 Pages, 10″ x 10″
ISBN: 978-0-9789202-0-3

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Book Summary

A young girl is being adopted out of foster care! But she’s wary of this new stranger in her life – this woman who is to be called Mother. “Why are you my mother?” asks the child. “I just met you.” Why Are You My Mother? shares the woman’s response to the child’s logical and life-altering question. It expresses, with heartfelt honesty, how she feels about the child, acknowledges that life hasn’t been easy for her, promises that she’ll love her unconditionally, and presents hope for the future. The story of Why Are You My Mother? is told through soothing text and welcoming illustrations that draw a young child into a world of love and change. The family, standing at the threshold of their lives together, is guided by a whimsical family of smiling flowers to support their efforts and hopes. In this way, the sometimes harsh reality of foster care blooms into the tender promises of new beginnings. As words of comfort are read, children will be both encouraged and entertained by the joyful faces smiling up at them from every page.

Reviews and Reactions

  • “A beautifully written book that beautifully addresses a very delicate topic.”
    - Writer’s Digest
  • “Written to serve as a valuable aid for foster and adoptive families, Why Are You My Mother? is a flat-spined picturebook that follows a mother’s answers to the questions of a daughter adopted at a young age, yet old enough to wonder why she has a change of family. The simple illustrations are a pastiche of solid colors and add the perfect touch to this heartwarming, real-aloud storybook. Highly recommended.”
    - James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review
  • “… express my gratitude for Ms. Hamilton’s commitment to not only her child but all children. I enjoyed reading her work.”
    - Bunny Nicholson, Nicholson & Associates
  • “Why Are You My Mother? is a poignant book about an adoptive mother letting her daughter know she will love her and be her mother forever. It is a heartfelt sentiment drawn from the personal experience of the author, Deborah Hamilton.”
    - Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Denver
  • “Therapeutic!”
    - Jennifer Winkelmann, MA, LPC, NCC
  • “What an uplifting book! Thanks for all you do.”
    - William B. Pauls, The Pauls Corporation

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