Oliver the Cranky Crocodile

Love Without Wings began as a very special bedtime story; one inspired by my own family’s adoption journey of two years – years spent waiting, wishing, and even grieving. We had all but given up; yet, when we received a call informing us that we had been chosen by our son’s biological mother – our entire world turned right-side-up. Every tear shed, every heartache simply melted away the moment we held him in our arms; our tears of grief were replaced by tears of boundless joy. What I’ve learned through this experience, and now wish to share with the world is a message of hope – that even when the journey sometimes feels like we are crossing rivers, mountains, and even trudging through the densest and darkest woods – hold on to hope and look for the light; because it only takes one miraculous moment for everything to change.

As an adoptive dad, I wrote Love Without Wings with hope that it will encourage children to feel pride in the magic that they bring to their families’ lives for years to come. It’s especially important that kids sense how much they have always been loved and wanted; that they are a greatest wish come true. In fact, every night as I rock my son to sleep, I still recite to him what I call “our special family story”; because from the day he was born, my goal has been to be open about adoption; that he knows his own narrative, and how our family came to be – what better way to achieve that, than through a fairytale?

Since becoming a father, I’ve had some difficulty finding children’s books that don’t focus solely on the mechanics or status of adoption. While there is certainly a need for this type of literature, I wanted to instead approach the subject through creative storytelling; in a way that young children can understand, appreciate, and identify with. Therefore, it brings me immeasurable pride to now share this tale with you dear readers – as a beautifully illustrated children’s book that reflects our adoption journey. Not only does this book celebrate families like ours that are made complete through adoption; but also honors the birth parents who make these dreams possible.

Finally, for those families who are still wishing – I hope that Love Without Wings offers the encouragement and reassurance that I often found myself searching for. I realize that adoption is not always a fairytale, and that no two stories are ever the same. There are many nuances, hurdles, and setbacks for waiting families and children alike. With that said, please keep your heart open, your head high, and keep wishing on stars; with faith that one day, your little prince or princess will come.