Made in China: A Story of Adoption [Hardcover]

Vanita Oelschlager (Author), Kristin Blackwood (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Made In China touches on two seemingly unrelated subjects - adoption and sibling relations. As told in this story. These are intertwined and very important to one young child who literally was "made in China." The story begins when the child is told by her older sister, in a teasing manner, that she is adopted from China, and "marked" just like the broom and their toys. Upset, she goes to her father who tells her the story of how she came to be their child but "you're not made like a toy, you were made in China to give us joy." And, he also reminds her that "you are much more than what people say about you." The story is resolved with her older sister and she is reassured that "In all the wide world we couldn't love you more."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Oelschlager presents a story that veers from the traditional stories about adoption. The rhyming text features a Chinese girl asking her older, blond sister to read the label on a broom she's using. Her sister reads, "made in China," then jeers at her sibling—"'It's just like you'/my big sister said,/'You're Made in China./It's stamped right on your head.'" The child seeks out their father to deny the truth of her sister's put-down, and his reply is reassuring and poetic as he tells her how much she is loved. This title addresses many themes: sibling rivalry, multiracial families, and facing taunts about ethnicity-even from a family member. It is heartening to read the emphatic reassurance offered to a daughter who has been wounded and is worried about being different. Although the older sibling is not explicitly reprimanded in the text, the pictures imply that reconciliation takes place. Blackwood has employed a blend of linoleum cuts outlined in black and computer coloring techniques to craft stunning illustrations. Ethnic features are realistic and enhance the simple text, depicting the birth mother as well as the adoptive family. The endpapers feature more than a dozen photos of Chinese adoptees of various ages. This title will be of special interest to families of Chinese adoptees, but could also serve as a springboard for discussing racial slurs and insensitivity for a much wider audience.—Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA
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Review

Oelschlager presents a story that veers from the traditional stories about adoption. The rhyming text features a Chinese girl asking her older, blond sister to read the label on a broom she's using. Her sister reads, "made in China," then jeers at her sibling-"'It's just like you'/my big sister said, /'You're Made in China./It's stamped right on your head.'" The child seeks out their father to deny the truth of her sister's put-down, and his reply is reassuring and poetic as he tells her how much she is loved. This title addresses many themes: sibling rivalry, multiracial families, and facing taunts about ethnicity-even from a family member. It is heartening to read the emphatic reassurance offered to a daughter who has been wounded and is worried about being different. Although the older sibling is not explicitly reprimanded in the text, the pictures imply that reconciliation takes place. Blackwood has employed a blend of linoleum cuts outlined in black and computer coloring techniques to craft stunning illustrations. Ethnic features are realistic and enhance the simple text, depicting the birth mother as well as the adoptive family. The endpapers feature more than a dozen photos of Chinese adoptees of various ages. This title will be of special interest to families of Chinese adoptees, but could also serve as a springboard for discussing racial slurs and insensitivity for a much wider audience. -- Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA "School Library Journal"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 30 pages
• Publisher: Vanita Books (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980016231
• ISBN-13: 978-0980016239
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for families with both bio and adopted children, February 28, 2009

By 

Rachel P. Wood "Rachel Wood" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Made in China: A Story of Adoption (Hardcover)

I think this book is wonderful for families like ours that have both biological children and children adopted from China. It's a very sweet story and I liked the fact that it's daddy talking to his little girl. Most adoption books only have mom, and this one shows a family with dad, mom, and an older sister. It's very honest and very sweet. Daddy says "Sweetheart, you're not made like a toy. You were "Made in China" to bring us joy." The book also talks about the child's birthmom in China, in simple and positive language. Overall a must have for all families with adopted children.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but be careful to what you say - all profits go to Holt Intl. work in China, August 20, 2009

By 

KSL "emma-and-me" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Made in China: A Story of Adoption (Hardcover)

I too think that this is a really neat story and is perfect for when your daughter / son comes to you and asks "was I made in China like this _________? My classmate said I was.

My only problem with this book is saying that my daughter's birthmom loved her. I really, really hope so. But what if she didn't and what if some day down the line a DNA / Parent / Child database become available and they can meet. And your daughter finds out that her parents didn't love her? My suggestion and other will tell you
to say you believe or hope she loved you. Or maybe you can say you were a healthy weight when born, so your birthmom ate well or dressed you warmly and someone left you in a public place. You also don't want to say someone watched you until you were found because we just don't know.

I love that all the proceeds go to Holt International's work in China, that is so nice and generous of both author and illustrator. What is also is very cool about this book is on both inside and backside of first 2 pages and last 2 pages show pictures of referral photos (all girls) and then on the other side what the girls look like now and there is a place to add your daughters referral and current photo!

On the About the Illustrator page it tells how Kristin Blackwood used traditional block prints, cut in linoleum then printed in black in white. Then colors where layered by using Corel Painter and Adode Photoshop. It's pretty cool.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not just for adoptees, February 21, 2011

By 

James (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Made in China: A Story of Adoption (Hardcover)

i've been to china, and have tried to expose my daughter to a variety of cultures, including chinese. she knows about the law allowing only 1 child per family, how best friends refer to each other as "sister" or "brother," and that boys are preferred, leaving many baby girls looking for homes elsewhere. being an only child, my daughter feels for these children, especially the little girls. she was very touched by this story (and she's only 7) after checking it out from the library, and begged to have her own copy. soooooo.....amazon to the rescue! it's now one of her favorites to read before going to bed at night.