MEET THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Sylvia Rohde was inspired to write Adoption Is Okay by her experiences counseling with international adoptive children and their families over the last several years. Her wish is that persons connected to international adoption will provide this book to Russian orphanages. Adoption Is Okay will be an educational tool to help prepare Russian children who are awaiting adoptive placement with American families. After the children and their families are living in America, the book can continue to be used to help clarify feelings and perceptions about adoption.

Ms. Rohde lives in Texas in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. She and her husband, David, live with their three cats and one dog. Their adult children live in Arizona and Florida.

The Rohdes attend church where David serves as an elder, and they participate in various church activities. They both enjoy traveling, sports activities, reading, and working crossword puzzles.





Natalie Rahberg is a senior in high school preparing for an art major in college. She feels that she has been blessed to have been able to travel internationally, including such cities as Moscow, Russia, and Berlin, Germany . She describes these trips as awesome.

While she was in Germany doing mission work, she grew emotionally and spiritually. Through these cultural experiences she developed a sincere appreciation for people from other countries.

Natalie writes, "When asked to illustrate a children's book about Russian orphans and adoption, I was excited. It has been a challenging opportunity to contribute to helping young children understand these major changes in their lives. Illustrating this children's story gave me a chance to share the artistic gifts and cultural experiences God has given to me."