Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Friday, November 18 if you spend $25 on items shipped by Amazon. Order within 23 hrs 46 mins

Or fastest delivery Thursday, November 17

Only 9 left in stock (more on the way)

[{"displayPrice":"$8.99","priceAmount":8.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"W6OSvbhxlgiGBBRKPh1byTYlup5nCP2Q65c8W9sbATsFpTJYZn9TtFe%2FD5vneYcFUmfjuAIAGTN0CoPMjhjhs%2FSjkZIuNP7zCA4DFBCJJCcYrXTYk9RvaoMmiw1PNqQv8EYaYB36Lwo%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW"},{"displayPrice":"$4.75","priceAmount":4.75,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"4","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"75","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"PzpWBMbryWC%2FKWtTBhsWN6QRnQYl8Mrna20NlVh460h60lvt2IuPnIinoGrDKKgQgBKMntlDQeDVBI25juD3OGTe9iRr86CbUduVdwbZPY054VpHYiD%2BkQVM5PIWKwSFMbHpwVlkkQ28h8n%2FrWA8U4%2FK%2BBGh7H8fmiV6%2Bd0Nlcb97YG1Qyn8Y1P3b59oieWl","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED"}]

$$8.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Return policy: Returnable until Jan 31, 2023

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

FREE delivery November 21 - 25. Details

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Great Buy Book Outlet

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$7.93
& FREE Shipping

Sold by: Books Practically New

Added

Not added

$4.99
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: sweethomeliquid2

Added

Not added

$8.99
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: indoobestsellers

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See this image

Follow the Author

Allen Say

Allison Paperback – Picture Book, September 27, 2004

by Allen Say (Author)

16 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$10.12

$10.00

$1.99

Paperback, Picture Book

"Please retry"

$8.99

$4.99

$1.00

Enhance your purchase

When Allison tries on the red kimono her grandmother has sent her, she is suddenly aware that she resembles her favorite doll more than she does her mother and father. When her parents try to explain that she is adopted, her world becomes an uncomfortable place. She becomes angry and withdrawn. She wonders why she was given up, what her real name is, and whether other children have parents in faraway countries. Allison's doll becomes her only solace until she finds a stray cat in the garden and learns the true meaning of adoption and parental love.

Reading age

4 - 7 years
Print length

32 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Preschool - 3
Lexile measure

430L
Dimensions

9.56 x 0.12 x 11 inches
Publisher

Clarion Books
Publication date

September 27, 2004
ISBN-10

0618495371
ISBN-13

978-0618495375
See all details

Frequently bought together

$8.99

Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 18

Only 9 left in stock (more on the way).

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

$17.99

Get it as soon as Friday, Nov 18

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

One of these items ships sooner than the other.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Allen Say
353
Paperback
116 offers from $1.61
Allen Say
106
Paperback
92 offers from $1.36
Allen Say
51
Paperback
79 offers from $1.45
Allen Say
29
Hardcover
36 offers from $4.20

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A subtle, sensitive probing of interracial adoption, this exquisitely illustrated story will encourage thoughtful adult-child dialogue on a potentially difficult issue." Publishers Weekly, Starred —

About the Author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; Reprint edition (September 27, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0618495371
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0618495375
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 430L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.56 x 0.12 x 11 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,478,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,070 in Children's Books on Adoption
- #3,127 in Children's New Baby Books
- #10,169 in Children's Dog Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
16 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Allen Say

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1937. He dreamed of becoming a cartoonist from the age of six, and, at age twelve, apprenticed himself to his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei. For the next four years, Say learned to draw and paint under the direction of Noro, who has remained Say's mentor. Say illustrated his first children's book -- published in 1972 -- in a photo studio between shooting assignments. For years, Say continued writing and illustrating children's books on a part-time basis. But in 1987, while illustrating THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (Caldecott Honor Medal), he recaptured the joy he had known as a boy working in his master's studio. It was then that Say decided to make a full commitment to doing what he loves best: writing and illustrating children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated many books, including TREE OF CRANES and GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. He is a full-time writer and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon.

Customer reviews

5 star		84%
4 star 0% (0%)		0%
3 star		5%
2 star		5%
1 star		5%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Heidi C.

Must have for your collection

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 14, 2018

Beautiful book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

What a special story. Love Allen Say

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 27, 2010

Allen rocks

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 10, 2020

My 3rd grader is really enjoying reading books from this author. The stories all intertwine and the pictures are lovely.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 16, 2013

I liked it
I would recommend it to my friends
Because its a really good book and it teaches people lessons about family and respect

Helpful

Beautifully-illustrated but content contains flaws

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 29, 2013

My eight-year-old daughter and I are big fans of Allen Say's works and have been reading as many of his books, checked out from our local public library. When I saw "Allison" on the shelves, I thought it might be an interesting read, especially considering my daughter has a close friend who is an adopted child from China. Unfortunately, though the story is beautifully-illustrated, I felt the content could have been presented in a different way to suit the target age group of 4-8.

The Allison featured in this story is a young child who is attached to a beautiful doll named Mei Mei that she has had since she was a baby. But when she discovers she was adopted (she is Chinese and her adoptive parents are Caucasian), she acts completely out of character. She vents her anger on her adoptive parents, destroying some of their precious childhood possessions but then does an about turn with the appearance of a stray cat. Though I feel the author meant well, some of the narrative threads just don't mesh well. For example, Mei Mei the doll is supposed to be Chinese (I'm assuming this because the name generally means little sister in Chinese) but is dressed in kimono, the traditional Japanese dress. The way Allison reacts against her adoptive parents seems out of place in a child that young. I'd think it more suited to a teenager. When the family eventually reunites, it appears abrupt and very artificial. These flaws made the story appear less than credible, although the issues presented are very real, and could have been fixed with some critical editing.

I gave the book three stars because I loved the illustrations but I think there are books out there that do a better job of addressing this sensitive issue.

Helpful

Tourev

This book compares an adopted child to a stray cat

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 20, 2017

This book compares an adopted child to a stray cat. My mother gave this book to me because I am adopted, I am Asian and my parents are white like in the book. As an adult, I think this book is horrible. Do not get this book for adopted children.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 11, 2010

I read this to my 8 year old daughter who was adopted from Cambodia. What a terrible message about adoption this book sends! Yikes! Of course all internationally adopted children may have feelings such as described in the book...but I know a lot of adoptive families, and no one has even come close to this kind of reaction from the child....especially at Allison's young age. At her age, her parents are her world, no matter the fact that they don't look like each other. These issues arise later, and not in the manner described. It is like the author is working out some personal issue through this story. Sooooooooooo many other good books out there. I wish that I could remove this one from my child's school library.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful