Product Description: Elizabeth, who was born in China, describes the family who has adopted her and tries to sort out her feelings for her unknown mother.
Inappropriate language on adoption As an adoptive mom who has spent the past few years reading 'best practices' books on talking with kids about adoption by both experts and adult adoptees, I had hoped this storybook would be a helpful addition to our library. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed in this book. Some of the language the mother in the story uses to talk to her daughter about the circumstances of her daughter's adoption are completely inappropriate for any child. The author offers a clumsy, misguided, and age-inappropriate description of China's one-child policy that I found disturbing ("Your parents couldn't keep you, they already had a child"). Furthermore, many adoption experts point out that it is demeaning (not to mention confusing) to adopted kids to compare adoption of a child to that of an animal. This author chooses to make a very direct connection to taking ownership of an animal from the animal shelter to the child's own adoption. What makes these critical flaws all the more disappointing is that the book contains some truly wonderful descriptions of the connection between the child and her forever mom, as well as lovely illustrations.
For readers looking for a well-written storybook for younger children that helps open discussions about birth families, try Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children by Sherrie Eldridge. You won't be disappointed.
Disappointed The book is wonderful.....but not at all relevant for a single mom who adopted from China. There are several references to Daddy. I was disappointed. The book is useless to me. I wish there was a single mom version of this book. At a minimum, I wish the book description would have told me that this was a book with references to a two parent situation (Mommy and Daddy) as I wouldn't have bought it.
Charming! Compassionate! The title of this charming book already tells us that the author includes the birthmother in the family's lives. This adoption story is told by the young child Elizabeth and shows her thought process as she looks at her adoption album and consoles her mother when she didn't have a baby yet, but now she does. The author also charmingly introduces Penny, the dog adopted from an animal shelter and young Elizabeth is happy for Penny to have a family too. It is fun to see the two little Chinese girls talk about their "far mommy and a near mommy" and fantasize talking to their far mommy on the toy telephone. The author cleverly weaves in the adoptive family's love for the two unknown Chinese birthmothers and throughout the pages lets us feel Elizabeth's joy and sorrow when she thinks of her unknown Chinese mommy. Our family has experienced this kind of love for our own birthmother during all the years that we did not know her, but now we have found one another and have a wonderful relationship.
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?
Mommy Far, Mommy Near -- Best Bet As an adoptive parent of two daughters, I've read many adoption books and this one is exceptional! Mommy Far introduces themes for readers aged pre-school and up in a gentle and compelling way. Brownell's wonderful illustrations heighten the loveliness of this book. The message that adoption is warm and good and loving is inescapable and very powerful.
What I really loved is the fact that the story is told by a child to other children- the book's readers. 'This is my story,' she seems to be saying,'And this is how I came to understand it.'
With the daughter Elizabeth as narrator, it is the story of a little girl, adopted from China, coming to the realization of what adoption really means for herself, her family, her sister and both sets of parents. More importantly it is the journey Elizabeth takes to understanding her journey into adoption and the vital role both mothers play in her life.
It contains loving adoption games created by mother and daughter. Elizabeth's continued child's play using pretend phone calls from Mommy Far illustrates her growing understanding of two mommies. Elizabeth's birthmother is portrayed in very sensitive and undertsnding terms, both in text and illustrations. The young heroine ultimately concludes that both mothers have their time and place and both can fit into her life.
While this would be a wonderful addition to any library, it is especially significant for those touched by international and transracial adoptions.
Sensitive, Touching Adoption Story From Child's Viewpoint In this sensitive, intelligent and witty account of a girl from China being adopted by U.S. parents, the author has successfully related both the emotional and factual elements of the adoption process. I especially liked the fact that the book has been written from the child's point of view. My wife and I adopted a girl from China several years ago, and this book has been a godsend to us. As we read the book to our daughter, Sarah, we realized that the author was saying all those things we had been feeling and wanting to say, yet couldn't find the words for.
I might also add that although the child in this book, Elizabeth, is from China, I feel the story is universal and applies equally well to kids from the United States or other countries.
I can not recommend this book highly enough for parents who have adopted or are considering adopting. You are truly undertaking a journey of love... a journey that is described accurately and poignantly by the author.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
