Day We Met You, The [Hardcover]

Phoebe Koehler (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1990

Gathering bottles, formula, diapers, a cradle, a car seat, and clothing, a mother and a father share the joy and excitement of the preparations they make for the adopted child for whom they have been waiting eagerly.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"The sun shone bright the day we met you"--and it continues to radiate its warmth throughout this unadorned tale of an adoption. Eager to pick up their new baby, the parents-to-be describe their preparations and purchases: "We bought diapers and pajamas . . . so you would be dry and warm." Friends and neighbors share the excitement by providing a quilt and a cradle; Grandpa brings reassurance in the form of a teddy bear. When the happy couple hold their smiling infant for the first time at the book's conclusion, the joy is almost palpable. Designed to be read aloud to an adopted child, Koehler's first picture book addresses an important issue in a loving, direct style. Her pastel crayon drawings, bordered in warm yellows, oranges and greens, strike the perfect note of childlike innocence. Ages 2-5.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Adoptive parents narrate the loving preparations made for the day they took their child home. The story begins simply, with the phone call that notifies them of the baby's arrival, and ends with the joy of seeing their child: "The minute we saw you we knew that we loved you." Pastel crayon close-ups of objects illustrate the straightforward story very well. Younger children will like the cradle, teddy bear, and tiny clothes named in the story. The text is easy enough for beginning readers, and the short sentences are set in unusally large type and fit nicely into the illustrations. Adopted children love to hear their homecoming stories over and over, and this is a perfect book to encourge such retellings. Pastel-colored borders on each page, homey objects outlined in black, and dancing suns glowing on the endpapers communicate the delight of "the day we met you." It is difficult to think of any adoptive family who would not like this book. Waiting for Hannah (Greenwillow, 1989) by Marisabina Russo and Waiting for Noah (Harper, 1990) by Shulamith Levey Oppenheim, both about anticipating the birth of a child, make fine companions to this excellent picture book about adoption. --Anna Biagioni Hart, Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (April 30, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 002750901X
• ISBN-13: 978-0027509014
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,622,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loving shower gift for adoptive parents, June 16, 2001

By 

Carol Watkins "Psychiatrist" (Parkton, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Day We Met You (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

This is my favorite book about adoption. I found myself in tears when I finished the book. The text is simple but speaks directly to the heart. The parents narrate all the concrete steps they took the day they receive the call to pick up their new baby. The crayon illustrations convey a beautiful sense of warmth and love. Both children and adults will find themselves drawn to the purity of expression in both writing and illustrations.

Carol E. Watkins, M.D.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Day We Met You, April 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Day We Met You (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

This book closely mirrored our own adoption experience. Family and friends were a big part and the book includes it in a very simple and friendly way. I love it and my daughter loves it.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An infant adoption story told in simple language., October 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Day We Met You (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

This is story is simple and beautifully written. It is a wonderful way to introduce the concept of adoption to the very youngest adoptees.