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Book Reviews |
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The ratings (e.g.,  )
come from customer reviews of the book at Amazon.com.
If you've read a particular selection and would like to review
it for us, please let us know. Include your name, the book
title and author, and your review. Yes,
I want to review a book.
For other reviews of children's books, visit the University of North Texas' review site where you can search for a book by title or author.
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Here's our recommendations for children's books
that deal with adoption. To purchase an item, just click on
the title you're interested in. You'll go directly to the Amazon.com
site where you'll find pricing information, a more-detailed
description of the book, and reviews. Follow their instructions
for adding a selection to your shopping cart, and further ordering
information.
All Ages
Baby to Preschool
Ages 4-8
Older Children
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Tell
Me Again About the Night I Was Born
Jamie Lee Curtis, Laura Cornell (Illustrator)
/ Hardcover / Published 1996
An adoptive mother, Ms. Curtis tells the story of night they
learned of their child. Beautifully illustrated and humorous.
Good book with funny illustrations that young kids like.
Also available in
paperback.
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The
Mulberry Bird: An Adoption Story
Anne
Braff Brodzinsky, Diana L. Stanley (Illustrator) / Paperback/
Published 1996
A classic. An adoption plan is made for a baby bird. Ages up
to 10.
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| AGES BABY TO PRESCHOOL |
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Are You My Mother?
P.D. Eastman (Illustrator)
/ Board Edition / Published 1998
A classic that young kids enjoy.
Also available in hardcover and Spanish.
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Susan and Gordon Adopt a Baby; Based on the Sesame Street Television Scripts
Judy Freudberg, Tony Geiss, Joe Mathieu
/ Hardcover / Published 1992
O.K. not a great book. One
comment in the book about Big Bird asking "how long will he (the baby) stay?"
seems a bit odd.
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I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
Jane Dyer (Illustrator), Rose A. Lewis
/ Hardcover / Published 2000
Wonderful simple story with beautiful and cheerful illustrations. this book is about a mother's loving journey to her daughter inChina. Great book to help kids ask questions about their own stories. Good for two-parent families as well.
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All Together Now
Anita Jeram (Illustrator)
/ Hardcover / Published 2000
Great book for young kids. About how a
mommy rabbit adopts different animals but they all find out that they have
big feet in common. Little kids like to stomp their feet while reading this
one. Good illustrations too.
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On
the Day You Were Born
Debra
Frasier / Hardcover / Published 1991
This won the Parent's Choice Award! Tells the story of how the
earth welcomes the birth of a new child. Beautiful children's
book with an environmental theme.
Also available in large
print and audio
cassette.
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Seeds of Love: For Brothers and Sisters of International Adoption
Mary Ebejer Petertyl, Jill Chambers (Illustrator)
/ Hardcover / Published 1997
Great book for children who stay home while mom and dad fly to
China. Comes with a seed packet to grow a plant while mom and dad are away.
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The
Happy Book
Diane
Muldrow, Patti Ann Harris (Illustrator) / Board Edition / Published
1999
Touch and feel fun for every little one. Illustrations of multicultural
families with a theme of feeling better when I am sad.
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Snow
Uri
Shulevitz / Hardcover / Published 1998
A Caldecott Medal winner! A boy and his dog celebrate the first
snowfall.
Also available in audio
cassette.
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Goose
Molly
Bang / Hardcover / Published 1996
A baby goose adopted by woodchucks learns about self esteem
and differences.
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Over
the Moon: An Adoption Tale
Karen
Katz / Hardcover / Published 1997
A favorite of children from 3 to 7. A magical journey to meet
their adopted child and the thrilling homecoming.
Good book about how a mom and
dad are waiting to hear about their baby. Then there is a description of
flying to get their baby and become a family.
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A
Mother for Choco
Keiko
Kasza / School & Library Binding/ Published 1992
Is it important to look like your adopted family? Choco becomes
a member of Mrs. Bear family--joining the little pig, hippo,
and alligator already in her affectionate brood. Highly recommended!
Good book for young children about looking different from their parents.
Also available in
paperback.
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Real
Sisters
Usually ships in 24 hours
Susan Wright, Bo-Kim Louie (Illustrator) / Paperback / Published
1995
From Midwest Book Review: What is a "real" sister, anyway?
This is the question seven-year-old Claire must answer for herself.
Claire is adopted, and when she switches schools, classmates
in the schoolyard wonder why she and her older sister Jenny
look so different. They tease her, saying that Jenny is not
her "real" sister. But when Claire thinks about the things that
she and Jenny have done together, she knows they are all things
real sisters do. In the end, Claire and Jenny confront the problem
together -- just like real sisters. Here is a heartwarming and
realistic story about what it means to be sisters. Ideal for
ages 4-8, with full color illustrations throughout.
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Happy
Adoption Day
John McCutcheon, Julie Paschkis (Illustrator)
/ Hardcover / Published 1996
Ages 2-6
From Kirkus Reviews: McCutcheon pens a happy, easily
sung song for the day a long-awaited child joins an adoptive
family and ``a family was born,'' including musical notation
so everybody can sing along. Paschkis's bright illustrations
borrow from folk art to lend vibrancy to the celebratory mood
of a book that clearly, straightforwardly, and lovingly answers
a need for families built by adoption.
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We're Different, We're the Same (Sesame Street Picturebacks)
Bobbi Jane Kates, Joe Mathieu (Illustrator) / Paperback / Published 1992
Good book for young kids
about all kinds of differences.
Also available in hardcover.
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The New Baby
Mercer Mayer / Hardcover / Published 1985
Another good book for young children to
prepare siblings.
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Adopted and Loved Forever
Annetta E. Dellinger, Patricia Mattozzi (Illustrator) / Harcover / Published 1987
Book is from a Christian
perspective. Also cites bible verses. A bit wordy for young children. (Book cover recommends ages 4-7)
A little dated...for instance, it uses the term "natural" parents rather than "birth" parents.
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Are You My Mother?
P.D. Eastman (Illustrator) / Hardcover / Published 1988
A classic that young kids enjoy.
From Amazon.com editorial staff: This is the classic from which many of our staff first learned to read, starting us on a path of unremitting bibliophilia. Are You My Mother? follows a confused baby bird who's been denied the experience of imprinting as he asks cows, planes, and steam shovels the Big Question. In the end he is happily reunited with his maternal parent in a glorious moment of recognition.
Also available in board edition and Spanish.
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¿Eres tu mi mamá?/Are You My Mother?
Carlos Rivera (Translator), P. D. Eastman (Translator) / Hardcover / Published 1967
A classic that young kids enjoy.
From Amazon.com editorial staff: This is the classic from which many of our staff first learned to read, starting us on a path of unremitting bibliophilia. Are You My Mother? follows a confused baby bird who's been denied the experience of imprinting as he asks cows, planes, and steam shovels the Big Question. In the end he is happily reunited with his maternal parent in a glorious moment of recognition.
Also available in board edition and English.
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| OLDER CHILDREN |
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When
You Were Born in China: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from
China
Sara
Dorrow / Hardcover / Published 1997
Ages 9-12
Black and white book that describes how children are available for adoption and adopted by parents from another country. More than 100 photographs and carefully worded text of why adoption
plans are made for Chinese children.
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When
You Were Born in China: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from
China
Sara
Dorrow / Hardcover / Published 1997
Ages 9-12
More than 100 photographs and carefully worded text of why adoption
plans are made for Chinese children.
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Carolyn's
Story: A Book About an Adopted Girl
Perry Schwartz / Library Binding / Published
1996
Ages 9-14
From the author: "My nine-year old daughter, Carolyn, and
I collaborated on a book about her thoughts and feelings about
being adopted from Honduras as a baby. We are sure you will
find it a welcome resource for both adoptive families and prospective
adoptive parents."
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How
It Feels to Be Adopted
Jill Krementz / Paperback / Published 1988
Ages grade-school to adult
19 boys and girls, from age 8 - 16 and from every social background,
confide their feelings about this crucial fact
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