Review by Booklist Review
"Popular author-illustrator Parr illustrates the rewards of family ties in this heartfelt, supportive book geared toward adopted children and their parents. In each double-page spread, Parr completes the phrase We belong together because . . . with poignant explanations that touch upon basic, tangible needs ( You needed a home . . . and I had one to share ) as well as emotional ones: You needed someone to say I love you' . . . and we had love to give. Now we all have someone to kiss goodnight. As in Parr's The Family Book (2003), cheerful, friendly artwork, with thickly outlined forms and characters and a bold rainbow palette, inclusively depicts an array of children and families including one with a single parent and one with two dads and emphasizes the rewards of adoption for adults and children alike. Apart from the subtitle, the text never uses the word adoption nor refers to the adoption process, keeping the focus squarely on the universal joys of sharing hearth and heart."--"Rosenfeld, Shelle" Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Parr's distinctive use of bright primary colors outlined in black to create people and animals holds great appeal to young children. Here he uses simple, short sentences to convey powerful messages about adoption as a positive way to unite parents and children who want, and need, one another. Although this theme is similar to that of The Family Book (Little, Brown, 2003), the author delineates subtle differences, as he writes, "We belong together because-you needed a home and I had one to share. Now we are a family." He also cleverly works in a parallel with pet adoption by illustrating the phrase "you needed a friend and I knew where to find one," with a dog looking forlornly out of the window of an animal shelter, then gleefully playing catch with his new family in the next picture. This book differs from the many other excellent titles that focus on particular situations, usually using specific names, and even countries of origin. Parr's mission is to be as inclusive as possible, and he even recommends that readers change the pronouns to suit their family situations.-Deborah Vose, Highlands Elementary School, Braintree, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Parr, the Dr. Feelgood of children's books and television, brings his optimistic, sunny attitude to this latest offering. Each page, suffused with brilliant colors, reassures the adoptee, in various ways, that he or she was wanted and needed. "We belong together because . . . you needed a home and I had one to share." Single mothers and fathers, couples of all sorts and people of all colors, from yellow to purple to blue, all joyfully welcome their new children into their families. On one spread, where there are pictures of places to discover together, iconic illustrations of China and Russia, will surely be familiar to many international adoptees. Parr's familiar style, brilliant colors, outlined with bold black lines, draws children in, and the repeated, expected text make this a perfect book for very young children and new readers. There is no back story here, no explanation of why children might be available for adoption, only the joyful welcome arms of diverse people who have something to offer the child who needs a home. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
