"Telling about her adoption of Claire Guan Yu, McMahon successfully puts together personal true inter-country adoption experiences with cozy fictional dialogue between her and her daughter: “Hey, big girl, would you like to help me? I’m putting all these pictures in a book.” Her nurturing mother’s voice is an engaging invitation to focus on the rich, lively watercolor imitations of family photographs, congratulatory cards, airline tickets, even a white sock, each moving her unique experience to a level that melds well with side-by-side journal entries from her son, McCarthy. These reflect his perspective, communicated in smaller italicized text. The family relationships grow to more complex levels, yet are held to a comfortable distance by representational watercolors that keep the McMahon-McCarthy’s intimate experiences private. The real photographs and mementos in the family scrapbook would have brought definitive focus, but the playfully warm watercolors and text create images that capture the growing bond of parents and children, brother and sister. Delightful. (Picture book. 4-9)" www.kirkusreviews.com

A mother is creating a scrapbook with her adopted daughter detailing the events of the girl’s adoption. They go through the story of the adoption from when the family decided to adopt to the first picture they had of their new daughter-to-be to the first meeting in China to taking her home. They include photographs, plane tickets, and entries from big brother Conor’s journal in the scrapbook as the mother tells Claire about how she came to be part of their family. This story of adoption is actually based on a true story as the authors are the adoptive mother and brother of the little girl in the book. The book’s watercolor illustrations are designed to create the illusion of the book being a scrapbook. The book could easily be used to inform children about the basics of adoption. It would also be a good for children who are adopted or have an adopted sibling. The book is suitable for kids ages 4 to 8. ( )

This is a story about a mother explaining to her adopted daughter how the family came to choose her and what transpired during her adoption from China. It also gives the brother's point of view and the feelings he had about getting a new sister.
Source: Pierce County Library
Age: 5-6

A really lovely story about an American family who adopts a little Chinese girl. It is shown pretty well how easily children can adapt to other surroundings and even other cultures. The story is written from the view of the mother with little notes from the brother's perspective whose greatest concern is how to get a beloved brother. ( )

This story is about a family who adopts a daughter from China, Claire. It is told from the mother's perspective as she is making a scrapbook with Claire. Claire's brother's perspective is also seen within side notes that have been written by him. The process of adopting Claire is long and involves a lot of paper work. The brother is nervous because he is unsure of what she will be like and how he will be a sibling. The parents are excited, and when they first meet Claire she is quiet and does not smile. This of course changes after the family, including the dog Rosie, has more time to bond together. Claire's laugh warms the entire family and though there is no ending to the story readers are assured that there is much more happiness to come in this family's life. This book is really great because it shares the diverse aspects of families. For adoptive families, this book could be relatable for siblings, parents, or the adopted child. I would probably read this book to students if I felt that they needed to be enlightened on family diversity. I could read this book about adoption with other books relating to books about divorced parents, same sex parents, etc. ( )