How I Was Adopted [Hardcover]

Joanna Cole (Author), Maxie Chambliss (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Sam has a story all her own, yet common to millions of families: the story of how she was adopted. It's about how babies are born and how children grow, about what makes people different and what makes them the same. Most of all, it's a story about love. And in the end, Sam's story comes full circle, inviting young readers to share stories of how "they" were adopted.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cole's (The Magic School Bus series; How You Were Born) cheerful, informative approach to adoption is at the heart of this picture book, which not only meets special needs but is perfect for sharing in any family. Young Samantha, who directs her comments to the reader, tells one of her favorite stories?the story of how she was adopted. Mommy and Daddy have told her, "We had so much love, we wanted to share it with a child and be a family." Samantha goes on to explain how her parents worked with an adoption counselor and waited a long time. The tale includes important biological information as well: "I did not grow inside Mommy's uterus. I grew in another woman's uterus." Skillfully combining Samantha's natural curiosity, the love and joy felt by her family, and scientific facts, the tone is open and projects Samantha's confidence and self-acceptance. An extensive note to families at the beginning is supportive without being preachy or prescriptive. Chambliss's (We're Going on a Trip) exuberant watercolors feature a cast of relaxed, perpetually smiling figures that sustain a friendly and positive mood throughout. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?Samantha tells about her daily life and her memories, including being told that she was adopted and, later, being shown a book about how babies are born and learning that "I did not grow inside Mommy's uterus. I grew in another woman's uterus" and, still later, asking and being told how she was adopted (a closed adoption through an agency, placement at one week). Samantha is smiling in all of the 28 cartoon-style illustrations in which readers can see her face (except one of her as a week-old baby looking startled by the camera, one as a baby asleep, and one as a toddler intently rolling a ball). She is never sad, cranky, or even pensive. Her parents are always smiling. The pictures she draws are of smiling people. In the five-page introduction for parents, Cole says that "The important thing is to create a loving atmosphere in which children's feelings?both positive and negative?can be shared openly over time." However, not a single negative feeling is mentioned, or even hinted at in the book itself. This title will not encourage open sharing of feelings, and could even be harmful to adopted children by reinforcing the idea that they have to be cheerful, no matter what, in order to be accepted by their adoptive family. It holds the parents to an unreal standard too. Fred Rogers's Let's Talk about It: Adoption (Putnam, 1995), while vague on some points, does show a normal range of feelings. Betty Lifton's Tell Me a Real Adoption Story (Knopf, 1994) includes the birthmother as a person with feelings, not just a uterus.?Nancy Schimmel, formerly of San Mateo County Library, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688119298
• ISBN-13: 978-0688119294
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joanna Cole s a former elementary school teacher and librarian and a frequent contributor to Parents magazine. Joanna Cole lives in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a story for adopted kids, December 14, 1999

By 

Charles E. Lawrence "onefish" (california, usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How I Was Adopted (Hardcover)

I have 4 children, the youngest 3 of whom are adopted. we received this book as a gift, sometime after bringing the 2nd of these 3 home. all 3 of them have requested this story by name, sometimes 2 or 3 times a night. I try to read it to them at least 4 or 5 nights a week, and they never tire of hearing it.

it is a story told from a child's point of view, but more importantly, from the point of view of a child who is happy and informed. samantha knows she's adopted, and knows that this is different from the experience of some other children.

we've been committed, from the beginning, to making our kids aware of the process, the similarities and the differences that are part and parcel of being adopted. samantha's story clearly helps them approach this mysterious place with a level of comfort. it also provides cues for parents to talk about adoption, in ways that are appropriate for the age.

when samantha asks "do you know how old you were when you were adopted?", my kids, ages 8, 6 and 2, answer in turn, obviously proud to know.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A straighforward and cheerful introduction to adoption, June 21, 2000

By 

Suzanne Amara (MA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: How I Was Adopted (Hardcover)

While my sons are not adopted, they have friends and extended family that are. This book was a good introduction to them to the concept. It's very straightforward and written in such a way that it could apply to a lot of different adoption situation---details are not that specific just to Samantha. It is very upbeat and cheerful. Just a note---the book does assume the kids that are hearing it are adopted, and it has questions like "Do you know how old you were when you were adopted?" which confused my sons a little! So be aware of this if you are reading it just for general awareness! The pictures are cute, bright and with neat details.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better than some, January 15, 2006

By 

Back in the Market - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How I Was Adopted (Mulberry Books) (Paperback)

Adoption stories are so unique and individual that it is really difficult to buy a book based on someone else's experience and be able to use it to explain your own child's adoption experience. This one is better than some, in that it doesn't skirt or ignore the issue of the birthmother, however it also gets into some anatomical detail of reproduction and birth that are not necessary when providing your preschooler with the initial details of his or her adoption. Our son is 3 and we have put this away for a few years, it is definately not appropriate for him at this time.

The fact your child was adopted should not come as a shock to them at some later point in their lives, but the details and facts you give should be based on their age and stage of development. I think involving details of some mystery mother at an age before they are able to understand the biological facts of life is unnecessary.

Unless your child is ready to grasp the details of pregnancy and birth, look for another book to help explain their adoption.