How I Was Adopted

by Joanna Cole

Book Overview

Tara's life in Halifax is about as good as it gets--she gets top marks in her class, her parents are cool, she has a good part-time job, her boyfriend Ron edits an alternative paper.Her life is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688119298
• ISBN13: 9780688119294
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.5" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Happy Customer

This book was as described...from a child's perspective and engages the parent to offer details of their child's adoption. I would recommend to other adoptive families to help get the conversation started at an early age.

Best adoption book I've seen

Of all the adoption books for young kids that I've seen, this is the one I like best. The major things I like about this book are the completeness of its coverage of the basic facts of adoption; its emphasis on the fact that every adopted child has his/her own story of "how I was adopted"; and the fact that story and illustrations are positive, upbeat, engaging and interesting. There's "lots to talk about" when you read this book to a child, and many opportunities to point out how Samantha's story is similar to, or different from, your adopted child's. I think this book is best for children age three and up. And I think it's best to read this book to your child when you have an age-appropriate lifebook ready to share with your child, or when you're ready to create a lifebook with your child participating in the process.

p elements of review

How I was Adopted By Joanna Cole Subject Matter: The subject matter of this book is of enduring interest to any family or classroom that has an adopted member in it. The subject matter is current and up to date. The book does not offer soulutions to a problem, instead it tells the youngest children what adoption is and how it happens. It honestly explains that adopted children are not the biological offspring of the people they know as parents. The story is interesting and engaging. Reading Level/Suitability: I think the vocabulary ion the book is at a level for first and second grade readers. I think its suitability is appropriate for the youngest child through third grade. The reading levels and suitability are appropriate for the targeted audience and the book is fun and positive to read. Book Length: I think the book would take approximately 15 minutes to read to a child; it could take up to twenty with the interactive questions in the book and with questions that may need answered any the child. The book is about 18 pages long and is appropriate for the targeted age level. The length of book should be fine with children with special needs. Text and Pictures: The font is appropriate for the story context and tone, and it works well for read-aloud or read-together activities. The size of the text is just right; it doesn't take away from the pictures, which are an important element in the story. The pictures are very positive and happy throughout the entire book. They show love, tenderness, joy and smiles on every page. The pictures are colorful and enhance the story being told through them. There are a well balanced number of pictures to words. Developmental Level: I would consider this book most appropriate for grades 1-2 and an age 5-8, which is the approximate age of the main character in the book. The themes correlate well with the targeted audience and would be best used for younger children. Diversity Factors: I think the book convey respect for all groups, although none are referred to in the book, just displayed in pictures. The main character is Caucasian and there are other people in the book who are of other backgrounds. The book does avoid any stereotypes and stays away from issues arising about diversity. Content/Environment or Situation/Use: I would enjoy using this book multiple times in a classroom or with a child of my own. It's reassuring and comforting to any child who has been adopted. The book is a reasonable value and may not be reproduced. I don't think there are any elements of the book that are of a sensitive nature. Therapeutic Use: I would recommend the book be used in an office of a setting between a counselor and young patient, a parent to a chills or a teacher in a classroom. The book would definitely promote discussion, there are open ended questions in the book that would make a conversation between two people every fluid and relaxed. I think the book presents not problems but a life situati

a story for adopted kids

I have 4 children, the youngest 3 of whom are adopted. we received this book as a gift, sometime after bringing the 2nd of these 3 home. all 3 of them have requested this story by name, sometimes 2 or 3 times a night. I try to read it to them at least 4 or 5 nights a week, and they never tire of hearing it. it is a story told from a child's point of view, but more importantly, from the point of view of a child who is happy and informed. samantha knows she's adopted, and knows that this is different from the experience of some other children.we've been committed, from the beginning, to making our kids aware of the process, the similarities and the differences that are part and parcel of being adopted. samantha's story clearly helps them approach this mysterious place with a level of comfort. it also provides cues for parents to talk about adoption, in ways that are appropriate for the age.when samantha asks "do you know how old you were when you were adopted?", my kids, ages 8, 6 and 2, answer in turn, obviously proud to know.

Great for children who were placed as infants

Finally, a book that discusses the 'how' of how children are placed for adoption. Birthparents are discussed along with a okay discription of the 'why' children are sometimes placed for adoption. My child, a Samantha, loves this book because she thinks it's all about her!