Customer Reviews

Shaoey and Dot: Bug Meets Bundle (Shaoey & Dot)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most Christian music fans that follow the genre closely know by now of the children that Steven Curtis Chapman and his family have adopted. Chapman has quite publicly shared his adoption experiences with the world, both in song and on stage, and his fans have had the wonderful opportunity of seeing the beauty of adoption in a very unique way.

Steven Curtis and his wife, Mary Beth, have written their first book together based upon their experiences with their adopted children. Entitled Shaoey and Dot, it is a children's book re-telling the story of their first adoption experience. That daughter, Shaohannah (or Shaoey, pronounced SHOW-ee), was adopted from Changsha, Hunan, China.

SHAOEY AND DOT tells the story from the perspective of a ladybug named, of course, Dot. Dot starts off her day like any other when she happens to hear a sound different than any she'd ever known. The sound leads her to light upon the face of a baby who was causing a commotion - Shaoey. Dot decides to befriend Shaoey and soon discovers that she is in a room full of other babies - "this is where babies come to be found!," she exclaims. As time passes Dot eventually finds herself accompanying Shaoey through the adoption process until she meets Shaoey's brand new family.

SHAOEY AND DOT is really a treasure. Lovingly told and beautifully and richly illustrated by Jim Chapman (Mary Beth's brother), SHAOEY AND DOT is a wonderful picture book for any child, but especially appropriate for a family where adoption is a reality. Speaking from the perspective of one who was himself adopted, I believe that adoption is a beautiful, God-given gift, and anything that helps to healthily promote it deserves all the attention in the world. This is only all the more true when the method is as lovingly created as SHAOEY AND DOT was. This is one of the finest children's picture books of the year.

I have a daughter and son, both adopted from China. I loved the story and the illustrations of this book. I'm very glad I bought it. But because my children are still both 3, I think they're too young for this book, so I'm going to tuck it away for later. The one thing that will keep me from sharing it with them anytime soon is the part of the story where the person finds the baby in the basket and then the baby is in the orphanage. Otherwise, I know my daughter would LOVE to have this book now.

I know the age range says 4-8, so for sure my kids are not ready for this yet, and I knew that. My kids have not begun to ask questions about their adoptions just yet. I know that at some point they'll learn about how they were found. But I don't know what age they'll be able to process the idea that they were abandoned. As young as 4? I think that the parents need to decide that before they open the book to their kids. This is probably a better book for kids who already know about their adoption story.

I think that if this book were introduced at the right time, it would be a great addition to their library as well as a good tool to continue to talk about their adoption.

This is a beautiful children's story about adoption!! My favorite!!! You will cry. ;) It specifically is about China, as that is where Steven Curtis Chapman has adopted from. We're not adopting from China, but I love it anyway. And I even have a friend who bought it for her bio daughter to teach her about how our little boy is coming to be a part of our family. :)

This is one of the best books for any family who has adopted an amazing child of China. Beautifully illustrated with the rather eccentrically-dressed Dot, it's text flows like the lyrics of a song. While Stephen Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman are well known for their Christian faith, this story will delight everyone.

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books on China adoption that I've seen! Also, the DVD in the back was worth the price of the book. For those who are thinking of adopting or have already adopted, it is priceless.

This book provides a touching view of Asian adoption. It speaks of the mother's love, and the excitment of adoption. A 'must have' for any family - not just adopted families.

Shaoey and Dot is written by Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman. The book was inspired by the true story of their adopton of a girl from China. Shaoey (pronounced SHOW-ee) is a little Chinese baby discovered by Dot, a little Chinese ladybug. Together the two embark on the journey of adoption. Told through rhyming verse, the book describes the orphanage and the first experiences of these two in their different environments. Dot acts as protector and comforter for this bundle she's found. It ends with both Shaoey and Dot going on an airplane with their new family to their new home.

Steven Curtis Chapman has won four Grammy Awards, forty-seven Dove Awards and one American Music Award. He and his wife, Mary Beth, have six children, including three girls adopted from China.

The book is illustrated by Jim Chapman, Mary Beth's brother. (Her maiden name was Chapman.) He and his wife have also adopted from China. His illustrations consist of line drawings and soft watercolor. They are endearing and detailed.

What I Like: There are a ton of children's books about adoption, but very few with a Christian perspective. This is one of them. I love the tenderness of this story. My sister was adopted from Korea, so adoption is close to my heart. Furthermore, all believers are adopted by God, so it is something I feel Christians should understand and embrace. This book is a wonderful way to introduce the concept to children. I like that it is truthful without giving too many details. The circumstances leading up to adoption are not always pleasant. This book does a wonderful job keeping everything positive. Also, the book reads easily. My daughter has me read it over and over.

What I Dislike: The illustrations are too sketchy and pastel for my taste. The illustrator is obviously very talented, but the quality seems inconsistent to me. Some parts are extremely detailed and interesting, while other parts of the same illustration seem rushed or incomplete. Also, the ending of the book seemed abrupt. The authors spent a lot of time telling us about Shaoey and her home in China, but no time telling us about her new family or her new home in America. I would love to see the book expanded (or a sequel) to describe her adjustments to her new life.

Overall Rating: Good.

Tanya -- Christian Children's Book Review

God has truly blessed the Chapmans. They can sing, draw, write and so much more. Shaoey and Dot is a fun book that looks at a very serious topic. As the father of two beautiful girls adopted from China, it is extremely important to me that more books like this are written. A short letter from the Chapmans is at the start of this book. Readers are told about the adoption of the Chapmans' first two girls and are given a few Bible verses that express the proper understanding of adoption. As far as the story is concerned, Dot is a ladybug who befriends a baby girl, Shaoey (SHOW-ee), who was left on a pathway near a Chinese village. Dot and Shaoey eventually find themselves on an airplane halfway across the world with Shaoey's forever family. My only knock against the book is that it can be seen as ending somewhat abruptly. I highly recommend checking out the Chapmans' adoption organization called Show Hope.

This is a great little storybook for a child adopted in China. Very sensitive portral of abandonment and adoption issues for a young child. My grandaughter loved it. Hard to read without getting a lump in your throat though.

Loved it - it was a great book, cute pictures & story.