Does Anybody Else Look Like Me? A Parent's Guide to Raising Multiracial Children (Hardcover)

by Donna Jackson Nakazawa (Author) "AT THREE AND A HALF MY SON-Japanese American and Caucasian his first emotional paper cut as a multiracial child..." (more)
Key Phrases: multiracial teenagers, multiracial young people, multiracial kids, African American, Native American, Maria Root (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The author, a freelance writer, is from a western European background, while her husband is Japanese American. Although Nakazawa initially hoped to raise her son and daughter to be "color blind," they couldn't ignore the many comments made by both adults and children concerning Christian and Claire's appearance. When Christian was a toddler he was asked if he spoke Chinese, and the author was assured that little Claire didn't "even look Asian." Nakazawa decided to develop strategies to ensure that her son and daughter would be proud of their heritage and confident about their multiracial identity. Finding no useful book on the subject, she decided to write her own. Based on personal experience and interviews conducted with 60 other multiracial families, Nakazawa has skillfully combined anecdotal research with a strong knowledge of childhood and educational development philosophy to provide this useful guide for raising multiracial children in a color- and race-conscious world. Nakazawa believes that, although most three-year-olds are not racially aware, it is important to deflect insensitive comments from strangers about appearance. As a child grows older, this early dialogue should deepen, so that children will feel safe and comfortable discussing their racial identity with parents and be able to bring up any racially charged experiences that have occurred at school or with friends. Included are suggestions for the special problems that may arise during adolescence.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"An articulate, well-thought-out book...includes ideas for helping kids discuss race and confront hurtful remarks." -- Mothering November-December 2003

"[A] timely book [that's] very useful and just plain interesting to read." -- Baltimore's Child October 2003

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1st Printing edition (June 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738206059
• ISBN-13: 978-0738206059
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #922,179 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the book I was looking for, July 15, 2003

By A Customer

As a parent of multiracial children, I was delighted to find this book, which not only answered the questions I had, but gave me a wealth of information, strategies and tips that gives me confidence about the future of our family. While the statistics and psychological data are compelling, the most interesting facet of the book for me was the interviews with over 60 multiracial families. i would highly recommend this book to anyone concerned with the issues faced by multiracial children and their families and parents.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book for parents, November 29, 2003

By A Customer

Thank goodness this isn't another academic tome dealing with racial tensions and ethnicity in the U.S. Finally, we have a book geared for parents that is intelligent, informed and useful. The scripts alone--Ms. Nakazawa's suggestions for what to say to children in response to (or in anticipation of) challenging situations--are worth the price of the book. I know of at least one school that is giving away free copies of this book to all the parents of multiracial and transracially adoptive children in their school. I hope, for the sake of our children, that more schools will get the word out about this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend, May 16, 2006

By	Jennifer Rucker "Jen R.N." (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Does Anybody Else Look Like Me?: A Parent's Guide To Raising Multiracial Children (Paperback)

As the mother of 4 beautiful biracial children, I was delighted to find this intelligent, realistic book. My children are often asked "What are you?" and attempts are made to label them as Arabic, Latin, Greek,Black, Italian, etc, etc. This makes it difficult for them when they are at ages where all of us were trying to "find ourselves". My daughter has also had a difficult time, often meeting women who instantly dislike her based on her appearance alone. This book was refreshing and helped me to realize others go thru the same. I was amazed at the amount of research and fact finding this author included. The everyday anecdotes was also most truthful, speaking from personal experience. great find for anyone who knows, loves, interacts with those of more than 1 race!!