27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Takes the child's feelings into account, July 7, 2004
This review is from: At Home in This World, A China Adoption Story (Hardcover)
There are at least two things that make this book stand out from the growing field of literature about adoption from China: it is told from the perspective of a child, rather than an adult, and it takes into account the sad feelings, as well as the happy ones that we parents remember so well.
In her introduction, the author (a mother of two girls from China) describes how she first put together an adoption story that emphasized all the wonderful things about adoption including a "...baby-book heavy on adoption-day photographs." Then she realized that "The relentlessly positive spin I chose to put on my girls' pre-adoption birth story was confusing to my daughters, who recognized buried feelings that didn't always parallel mine." She found that she needed to address and legitimize these feelings.
This is not to say that the book is sad. The young narrator tries to make sense of why her birthparents would leave her, she wonders what they look like, she notes that she looks like a "confused little baby" in her adoption video, and she talks about early dreams she had of being lost after she went to sleep at night. She says "I understand all of these things in my head, but it is so much harder to understand in my heart." She concludes her story by saying that she is bringing her sides together ..."One girl from two places who is growing up to be at home in this big, wide world."
After the story, the author includes some information at questions that parents and children can discuss after they read the book.
The book is illustrated with charming watercolors by Qin Su, a native of China. They have a fresh, direct quality to them.
This belongs on adoptive parents' bookshelf along with Mommy Far, Mommy Near by Carol Antoinette Peacock and Kids Like Me in China by Yin Ying Fry.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential book for children adopted internationally, December 5, 2003
This review is from: At Home in This World, A China Adoption Story (Hardcover)
From the moment my own adopted daughter said, "I don't look like anyone in my family", I realized again the importance of explaining her story in words that she could understand and take to heart. "At Home in this World" is the book that so many adoptive parents have been waiting for.....a story told in words that children can truly understand. The main character writes: "Part of my life has been like a puzzle needing pieces, but I am understanding more about myself and my life everyday." Our adopted children want this more than anything....to understand their stories and how their lives began. "At Home in this World" is the perfect book to help an adopted child know that there are others feeling the same way they are. It doesn't downplay the very real feelings that adoptees often have about not being able to know their birthparents or wishing they looked like their new family. It is honest and genuine. I found it to be a very empowering book for my daughter, showing her that it is okay to speak openly about the truth that she did indeed have a life before adoption.
After reading this book, my almost five year old daughter and I were in the car with a whole vanful of teens. My daughter turned to my son's friend and said, "see my brown eyes? My birthparents gave them to me." "At Home in this World" was an important book that helped show my daughter that she has her own story to tell, one that has both loss and joy, and one that she can indeed be proud to call her own. I can't recommend it more highly.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FABULOUS!, December 10, 2003
This review is from: At Home in This World, A China Adoption Story (Hardcover)
I think the best way to share the impact of this book is to relate the following--after I read the book to my daughter, Jaclyn, who was adopted at the age of 4 from China, she silently cluctched the book to her chest and then placed it in the pile of "treasures" she has. Needless to say the book had a powerful impact. This book was very needed as there was truly a void in books that help the slightly older girls express "their" story. Jean did a fabulous job in doing this and in conveying, as part of the education guide, the importance of helping our kids relate and understand their stories. The book also has captivating photos and is truly a treasure!!! I can't recommend it highly enough.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
