Tag Archives: assessment

Book Review: The Mulberry Bird

The classic adoption book The Mulberry Bird, by Anne Braff Brodzinsky, seems to be one of those books that people either love or hate. I suspect that it all depends on the timing, which in turn depends on your child. Most people say their child loved it and seemed to find it reassuring. A couple of parents are sure it caused more trouble than it averted. I shared this ambivalence. I checked this book out of the library a couple of years ago and returned it without sharing it with my kids. This time, I put it on the shelf … Continue reading →

Dylan the Eagle-Hearted Chicken – David L. Harrison

With a title like that, how could I resist? Ethel the chicken is a proud mama. There’s something special about this one particular egg—she’s already named the chick Dylan, even though he’s not hatched yet. She hides the egg in a safe place so nothing will happen to him. Already she’s dreaming of who he’ll be. But he’s taking forever to hatch. Stiff and sore, Ethel gets up to stretch, and Cawly the crow swoops down and swipes the egg, right off the nest. Ethel tries to fly after him, but only manages to get ten feet off the ground. … Continue reading →

When Cows Come Home – David L. Harrison

You all know what a sucker I am for cute illustrations. While at the library looking for great picture books, I happened upon this one and snatched it up. Right across the front cover is a line of dancing cows. Can it get any better than this? The sun is starting to set and the cows are coming home. They aren’t just walking, however – they’re commuting with style, their hips and tails swaying, their heads held high—they’re like models on a runway. It’s quite inspirational. They contentedly chew their cud as they enter the barn, but if the farmer … Continue reading →

Book Review: Let’s Talk About Fostering and Adoption

Let’s Talk About Fostering and Adoption by Sarah Levete is part of the “Let’s Talk About” series from Stargazer books. Other titles include “Let’s Talk About….Racism, Learning Difficulties, Bullying, Drugs, Stepfamilies, Keeping Safe, Being an Immigrant” and more. The book begins with “What’s My Family Like?”, “Why is Someone Fostered?” and “What Will My Foster Family be Like?” It mentions reasons why children are referred for foster care and explains that foster families are chosen and trained to provide a safe place. The book talks about the feelings kids may experience about being placed in foster care and about moving … Continue reading →

Adoption Books with Great Art: The Tummy Mummy

Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words, especially to children who are often visual thinkers. Hence this series of blogs on children’s adoption books with beautiful artwork. I have both praise for and caveats about the book Tummy Mummy, by author Michelle-Madrid-Branch, who was herself adopted. The book wonderfully conveys the birthmother’s concern for her child: “I love you, my special baby and my heart is full of emotion…because I know I am not the one to raise you. What am I to do?” The look on the (very) pregnant woman’s face is beautiful. Then the book gets … Continue reading →

Review of Artful Adoption Books: Three Names of Me

Yesterday I wrote about a children’s adoption book with beautiful artwork. Today I present another one. Three Names of Me is written by Mary Cummings in the voice of her Chinese-born daughter Ada. I would judge the writing to be for ages 6-12. The illustrations are done by Chinese-American illustrator Lin Wang, who combined watercolor and colored pencil to create a style she calls “ethereal realism”. Like the illustrations in Over Land and Sea, they appear realistic and detailed, yet at the same time soft. The use of light and blended backgrounds in Three Names of Me does produce a … Continue reading →

Adoption Books with Beautiful Art: Over Land and Sea: a Story of International Adoption

Books showing children of color are becoming more common, but books showing multiracial families are still relatively rare. So books that show multiracial adoptive families with gorgeous artwork, while giving a sensitive and accurate portrayal of adoption, are a real find. Many families will find themselves reflected in Over Land and Sea: a Story of International Adoption. This book is one of my new “absolutely favorite things”. This book is one of my new “absolutely favorite things”, largely because of its stunning artwork. Author Steven Layne is a father of three children who were internationally adopted. The simple story—“hey, I … Continue reading →

Paddington Bear and the Christmas Surprise – Michael Bond

It’s Christmas time, and Paddington wants to do something special. He suggests to the Brown family that they head down to the department store to see Santa. There will be a sleigh ride and a visit to Santa’s workshop, as well. Paddington is especially curious to see where Santa makes his marmalade. (I didn’t know Santa made marmalade, but who am I to argue with Paddington Bear?) The Browns are clueless about the marmalade too, which makes me feel better. They headed off to the store and Paddington made a beeline to Santa. There were two huge sacks of toys, … Continue reading →

A Creature was Stirring: One Boy’s Night Before Christmas – Carter Goodrich

We’re all familiar with the classic poem “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” This cute children’s picture book takes the rhyme and gives it a new twist. On the left side of the book, we are treated to the original rendition. On the right, we see that someone isn’t asleep yet, and he’s adding his own verses as well. He’s trying to go to sleep, he really is – but we all know how hard it is to fall asleep on Christmas Eve, when we’re all so excited about everything that’s going to happen the next day. He tries commanding himself … Continue reading →

Auntie Claus – Elise Primavera

The Kringles love Christmas. In fact, everything in their world revolves around it. The father owns a jingle bell company. The mother owns the Mistletoe-and-Nail Salon. They keep their tree up all year long. Sophie and Chris, the children, have presents galore – and still want more. Auntie Claus watches all this with a disapproving eye, and suggests that perhaps they get too many presents, but the Kringles won’t hear of such a thing. So Auntie does her best to instill good values in the children, having Sophie over for tea and giving her good Christmas advice, such as how … Continue reading →