When I adopted my beautiful, now five-year-old daughter from the Hunan Province of China, I was besotted. To anyone who would listen, I found myself talking about the remarkable journey that made us a family. And like any first-time parent, I rushed to find the best products for her that I could. I brushed up on my rusty singing voice and my flair for dramatic storytelling and set out to entertain and educate my precious child. Early on, when I told her stories, friends would want ‘a copy.’

The result of my friends‘ requests is Families Are Forever— the story of a young girl’s journey from China into the arms and hearts of her loving mother and extended family.

While the story’s main character, Rain, happens to be adopted, Families Are Forever is so much more than an adoption story. It is about inclusion and acceptance. Rain discovers that, despite differing physical characteristics, people are more similar than they are different. The book offers readers (children, parents, teachers) entertaining and realistic ways to begin important early conversations about diversity — in family formation, in race, and in any other areas of difference. Our children are inheriting an incredibly diverse world with an overwhelming array of people and choices — one that adults can only observe. I wanted Rain’s adventures to speak directly and reassuringly to the challenges that our children face.

In an unexpected turn of events, Families Are Forever has spawned an entire series of Rain books and products. Everything is designed to empower your children to respect and celebrate the wide variety of cultures, choices and ‘abilities’ as they navigate the world around them to find their special place.

In 2003, Families Are Forever won a prestigious iParenting Award for Excellence.

What started out as a way to empower my own daughter has brought joy and love to thousands of families around the world.

Thank you for your support.

With respect and gratitude,

Deb Capone