A Mother for Choco [Hardcover]

Keiko Kasza (Author)

Book Description

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

Choco, a little bird living alone, sets out to find a mother, but he has no luck until he meets the warm-hearted, generous Mrs. Bear and her other children--Piggy, Ally, and Hippy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K --Fans of Kasza's previous picture books will welcome this latest effort. Cheerful, energetic illustrations decorate the simple but charming taleof a youngster's search for a loving parent. A chubby-faced yellow bird with blue-striped feet, Choco believes that physical similarity is a prerequisite for family relationships. He asks a series of animals who bear even the slightest resemblance to him if they might be his mother, but all turn him away. Discouraged by their rejection, Choco is pleasantly surprised when Mrs. Bear takes an interest in him, plays with and cuddles him, and ultimately offers him a home. The presence of other ``adoptees'' is made obvious as a young alligator, hippopotamus, and pig welcome Choco into his new family. The endearing watercolor paintings are bold and bright enough to appeal to the very youngest listeners, and there is a wealth of character and personality evident in the animals' expressions. These pictures, along with the minimal, repetitive text, make this an excellent choice for storytime use. The emphasis on caring and sharing despite superficial differences will surely find a wide audience. A multicultural message may also be read into this satisfying story with appealing illustrations and a very happy ending. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The talented creator of The Wolf's Chicken Stew (1987 ALA Notable) provides a warmhearted contemporary surprise ending for the time-honored formula of a little creature searching the animal kingdom for its appropriate mother. Choco, a small yellow bird with a big blue bill, tries a giraffe (she has no wings, she says), a penguin (no ``big round cheeks''), and a walrus, but no one seems to look just like him. Comfortable Mrs. Bear is wiser: ``If you had a mommy, what would she do?'' And since she's quite able to hold him and kiss him, regardless of appearances, he's soon the new member of her happy family--joining the little pig, hippo, and alligator already in her affectionate brood. The timely point is hardly subtle, but it's made with notable good humor, especially in Kasza's marvelous animal caricatures of comically human states of mind. Just right for the preschool group or beginning reader. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; First Prtg Thus edition (March 25, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399218416
• ISBN-13: 978-0399218415
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. "All the steps I took growing up were very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.After publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, "Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle."Ms. Kasza admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me," she says. "I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence."Ms. Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights:"I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself."Ms. Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to "create one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even better, of course!"Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Best For The Younger Set, August 7, 2002

By 

Catty (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Mother for Choco (Hardcover)

We wanted to teach our Korean born son very early about the nature of adopted families. We wished to impress on him from the start that families are people who live together and love each other, not just those who look like each other. There are very, very few toddler friendly books on the topic of inter-racial adoption, and this one is simply excellent. It uses simple language and cute pictures that any young child will enjoy.(It's also a great book to give your children's friends as gifts to help them understand why their buddy looks different.) After three years with this book, I still can't read it out loud to my son without crying at the end! If you're still looking for another book, I also highly suggest "Horace".

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect adoption tale, March 5, 2001

By 

Sharon Knutson "chinamomma" (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Mother for Choco (Paperstar) (Paperback)

The story of Choco, a little yellow bird with big round cheeks, searching for his mother is delightful. Choco asks one animal after another if they are his mother. In despair, he fears he will never find a mother who looks just like him. What Choco finds in his search is that a mom means someone who loves unconditionally. This is a heart-warming tale, encouraging acceptance of differences, and the importance and healing power of love. A great choice for any young adopted child.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Discussion Piece, August 1, 2000

By 

m.m. (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mother for Choco (Hardcover)

A Mother for Choco is a story about a lonely, little bird who goes in search of a mother. He asked all kinds of animals about his mother, but unfortunately, nobody looked just like him. Eventually, he finds someone who is just like a mother to him, even though she doesn't look like Choco, and his is very happy. This book does an excellent job of explaining the touchy subject of foster/adopted children. Since the book uses animals to describe this relationship, children may have a better understanding of this type of situation and be more accepting of it. It may also help foster/adopted children to accept their own situations as well as explain it to others. It is a very easy book to read and it creates a warm, satisfying feeling with its readers. The illustrations adequately depict the story and keep the reader's attention. Younger students especially seem to relate to Choco, whether they are in the same situation or not. They even seem to have a more accepting attitude about this subject and understand that this is something that actually happens. It's an excellent book to use at home or in the classroom; a great discussion piece.