October 2005    

Waiting For May Author: Janet Morgan Stoeke Publisher: Dutton Children's Books $16.99 PLB (32 P.) ISBN: 0525470980 B&T         YBP Just Add One Chinese Sister Author: Patricia McMahon and Conor Clarke McCarthy Publisher: Boyd Mills Press $16.95 Cloth (unpaged) ISBN: 1563979896 B&T         YBP Reviewed by Michelle Allen, Customer Service Bibliographer There is a growing need for children's books that openly discuss adoption. This is spurred by the roughly 10% of reproductive age members of the population who face infertility as well as those that are moved by the global plight of overpopulation. Chances are you know someone who is adopted, has adopted or is in the process of adopting. Adoptive families are just one more example of the many non-traditional families that make up society. Additionally, many children are adopted into interracial families and need validation that they are normal, that there is not something wrong with their family or with them. Sharing books with children that feature examples of interracial families is one way to open up discussion and to help children find the validation they need. These two books tell the story of families that are adopting little girls from China. Each story features a Mom, a Dad and a son by birth. In both stories, the family felt something was missing and to fill that gap they chose an international adoption from China. Waiting For May is a sweet story told entirely from the perspective of the soon to be big brother. He states on the first page that while other baby brothers and sisters come when "their mothers' bellies get big and they go to the hospital", they are getting a baby sister by going to China to adopt a little girl that needs a family. The book discusses the long process of paperwork and the home study which happen before sending the application off to China. It goes on to show how difficult the long wait can be until finally a match is made. We follow the family on the flight to China and ultimately to the day many adoptive families affectionately call 'gotcha day' or 'forever day'. It portrays a realistic look at the difficulties of adjustment for the little girl, May, and her new family where smiles eventually replace the tears. Just Add One Chinese Sister is told as a dialogue between mother and daughter while they create a scrapbook together documenting the adoption. Once again big brother has something to say in the form of sidebars, where in addition to his viewpoint on the process we learn the meaning of the title of the book through his question, "- How do I become a brother?" We travel along with the family, from paperwork to referral to baby shower to trip, as each delightful item is added to the scrapbook. Again, the first meeting is portrayed realistically, with apprehension and tears on the part of the little girl, Claire. This book continues with the family, though, and follows them through the remainder of the trip in China while more paperwork is completed and the family begins to bond and learn about the country. We see the arrival home where an airport gathering of family and friends has Claire retreating into shyness and hanging on to her new family. And we see how the family adjusts once they are home. The lovely illustrations enhance this appealing story. I particularly appreciate the realistic look both books take at the long process that precedes adoption. These books are helpful for families to share with children who are waiting for their new sibling to show that it will not be a speedy process. When parents share these stories with an adopted child it illustrates how much time and effort went into preparing for them and how very much they were wanted. Similarly, both books show a true to life coming together of the new families. It is important to prepare other children that the adopted child will require patience and time to become comfortable with her new family. Both titles leave you with a happy feeling towards the future waiting for these families. The colorful drawings and innocent child's perspective of Waiting for May are endearing. I laughed when he said it was okay that his parents wouldn't let him bring his kitten and remote-control car on the trip to China as long as they could go and the waiting would be over. The scrap booking theme of Just Add One Chinese Sister is carried over into the illustrations and adds to the charm of this book. I love the dialog the mother has with her daughter. There is a wonderful tenderness to the conversation. You see the bonding that happens between mother and daughter as the adoption story is told, doubtless a story told over and over throughout the years. Big brother's sidebars are entertaining if occasionally unrealistically adult in language style. These titles are an enjoyable way to begin a dialog with children that are touched by adoption and would be useful for collections in teaching, education, social work, psychology, or for your own personal collection. Published by YBP Library Services 999 Maple St., Contoocook, NH 03229 USA v: 800.258.3774   f: 603.746.5628 w: www.ybp.com   e: academia@ybp.com All rights reserved.