Sunday, August 30, 2009
I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis
I grew up viewing adoption as a very positive way for children to find new families. My mother was a social worker who specialized in adoption. Before retiring, she worked for over ten years with international adoptions. Traveling to Korea, China, and Bulgaria were perks of the position.
On one trip, she brought back a baby from Korea who had been placed with a family here in the US. I picked her up from the airport and the scene was very touching. Her adoptive family was there, excitedly awaiting their child. This book attempts to explain in a gentle, caring way how the author came to adopt her daughter.
The author briefly describes the steps taken to adopt her child, which is beautifully illustrated with watercolor pictures. Jane Dyer connected the text (an interesting font, almost intending to look like "Americanized Chinese" writing) with the pictures in a strong moving way. Kids will understand the message the author is trying to give about how wonderful adoption can be for both the new mother and child.
Talking about adoption with students can be very tough because so many negative connotations are sometimes involved in choices made by everyone but the child.
Giving a positive message about a family desperately wanting a baby and being blessed with adoption helps support positive feelings toward a challenging situation. As we have talked about in class, families look different--race and cultural differences are optimal ways for acceptance and enrichment! I have seen the positive effects of adoption through my mother's work and believe it is a wonderful option for birth parents and adoptive parents. Imagine being loved so much by someone and having them want to give you a better life through adoption--what a powerful gift it can be.
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