Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption [Hardcover]

Steven L. Layne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2005 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Driven by love, nourished by hope, and sustained by faith, thousands of families adopt children internationally. A unique opportunity for every reader to take part in an intimate family journey and to witness the shared joy of relatives and friends upon a

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 1–It is hard to imagine many youngsters being able to appreciate this title, despite its brevity. The excellent full-color, single- and double-page paintings capture a range of international adoption realities, depicting several interracial families and the landscapes of foreign countries, as well as everyday scenes at parks and in kitchens. However, the text is heavy-handed as it attempts to convey the love, dreams, and faith that motivate parents to journey "across the miles" to adopt new members into their families. The narrative seems to shift back and forth in its aim from a young audience to an adult one. Layne begins a list of fun activities–"peek-a-boo...and pat-a-cake..."–but concludes with the awkward phrase, "...and naps that were eagerly anticipated by the whole family." A list of other pastimes–"Strolling in the sunshine, playing at the park, singing silly songs, and posing for portraits…"–is followed by the very un-childlike assessment, "It was time well spent." The author seems intent on congratulating adoptive parents for their "unselfish love that...changed their lives and yours...forever." Books such as Eliza Thomas's The Red Blanket (Scholastic, 2004) and Ann Warren Turner's Through Moon and Stars and Night Skies (HarperCollins, 1990) have greater child appeal.– Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA
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About the Author

Steven L. Layne is a Pelican Publshing author.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing; 1 edition (February 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589801822
• ISBN-13: 978-1589801820
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,719,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author and educator Steven L. Layne is the director of the Master of Education in Literacy program at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, where he is also a professor of literacy education. He is a respected literacy consultant, motivational keynote speaker, and featured author at conferences and literary events worldwide. He lives with his wife and children in Saint Charles, Illinois.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best International Adoption books !!!, May 12, 2005

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption (Hardcover)

I have a daughter who we adopted Internationally and while building a home library I have purchased many adoption books. This I believe is one of the best ones I have read / owned. What I like about this book is it could be used for any child adopted Internationally since it has children from infants, toddlers and children even older. Each photo looks like it was perhaps taken from a someone's life book or a favorite parents or child's photo. It also has a page that looks like it could be China, or Vietnam and one of the former USSR / Russia, and children that could be from Africa, Asia or Russia.

The book starts simply with " Everything in life has a begining. Fragrant flowers begin as seeds. So do fresh fruit and towering trees.Your family began with a seed, too. A seed of love planted and nutured in the hearts of two people - your mom and dad!" Your Mom & Dad speaks of your adoptive parents, and only at the end of the book speaks of your birth parents. The book talks about the welcoming home party, the family & friends who came to meet you for the 1st time, of course proud grandparents,the every day things like books, blankets, dinner time, your changing table, baby games, playing in the park with on a sunny day( which is also great for getting rid of jet-lag and adjusting to being back home;) the naps that EVERYONE in the family took! The ending of the book is really nice too! " At night, in the quiet, Mom & Dad carried you off to a bed all your own. They tucked you in safe & snug, and then they prayed for your safety,for your health, and for your future. They gave thanks, too, for the unselfish love that.... across the miles, over land and sea, changed their lives and yours....forever."

I like very much that the author has 3 childeren who where adopted internationally, because they have taken the naps, had the jet-lag and know what we other Intl. adoptive parents have gone through, and the great joy of having a child to love and the thanks and prayers to the parents who gave us the greatest gift that they could not keep.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, November 9, 2010

By 

Mom in IL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption (Hardcover)

I agree with everything that the previous reviewer said. We got this book as a gift, and it is perfect for any adopted child. Various ethnicities, genders, and ages are portrayed, and even a sibling pair. It would also be appropriate for domestic adoptions. My 2.5 year-old daughter likes it a lot. The illustrations are beautiful, and the phrasing is simple and heart-felt. I am getting ready to order a copy for another family we know who is adopting.