Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsBeautiful - a story that many can relate to.
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2021
This is a beautiful book both written and illustrated, and like many other Asians, I wish I had this then when I was growing up and thrilled to read this to my (biracial) daughter. Something that readers should know - this book is not, and cannot, be everything to everyone. The reviewers that warn about this not applying to transracial adoption seem to center their own whiteness and not understand this book isn’t meant to be a completely universal story in all aspects — like pretty much all books out there. I also believe the family featured in this book is Chinese and the book contains Chinese elements, and as a non-Chinese Asian person I find this story beautiful, affirming, and touching, and a way to have my daughter both see herself and learn about other names and cultures. The sad thing about the lack of representation in children’s literature is that it puts a lot of pressure on the few books out there to meet everyone’s needs. I understand the disappointment when it doesn’t meet your own expectations and hopes (and I do think it’s helpful to share this with others), but it seems the review ratings should be based on the writing and quality of the story, not on how much your own life doesn’t match up.
