From School Library Journal
K-Gr 1--A well-intentioned book about interracial adoption that falls flat. When "mommy couldn't have a baby that would grow inside her...Instead of being sad or mad about it, mommy and daddy prayed to the angels to help them find a baby they could adopt and care for." Most adoptive parents who can't give birth are sad about it. Adopted children needn't be told this, but saying "...instead of being sad or mad..." strongly implies that being sad or mad is not okay. Birth parents, however, are allowed their "sadness." Any difficulties a child may be experiencing due to adoption are also dismissed in the text when the narrator states, "So you see, it doesn't matter how Ashley and I became part of a family." The colorful crayon illustrations by children lack consistency and every character's skin color varies widely from page to page, leading to total confusion.
Nancy Schimmel, formerly at San Mateo County Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
