A Mother for Choco (Paperstar) (Paperback)

by Keiko Kasza (Author) "Choco was so sad he started to cry..." (more)

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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (March 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698113640
• ISBN-13: 978-0698113640
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,998 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #4 in	Books > Children's Books > Issues > Adoption > Fiction
  #31 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Parents > Fiction
  #62 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 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

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".

17 of 17 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)

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.

12 of 12 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.