We chose you

When an African-American boy named Calvin receives a class assignment to talk about his family, he anxiously asks his parents, "Can you tell me about our family again? About how you chose me?" Together, they look at the couple's wedding photos, as the parents explain that, as happy as they were together, they prayed for a child, until "we chose you." But, Calvin wonders, if he didn't grow in his mother's tummy, is he really her son? No two families are the same, his mother assures him, but all are "created by God." Illustrating in bright, forthright art, Wolek shows illustrated snapshots of families (a child with many siblings, an only child, a girl raised by her grandmother). Dungy misses an opportunity to feature families with same-sex parents, but the validating sentiment about diverse family structures resonates. Ages 6-9. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Former star football player and coach Tony Dungy and his wife, Lauren, offer a story about adoption for Christian families.Young, bespectacled Calvin has a school assignment to "tell the class about my family," so Mom and Dad sit him down, break out the family photo album, and share once again the story of how it was God's plan that he was chosen to be a member of their family. Calvin is pleased with the story until he wonders, since Mom and Dad chose him, what would happen if they changed their mind: "Could you un-choose me someday?" To alleviate his fears, Mom and Dad reassure Calvin that they chose him because they love him and that will never change. This book is smoothly written and pleasantly illustrated for its specific audience, depicting Calvin and his parents as black. The story is inclusiveup to a point. When Mom and Dad discuss the fact that families are made up of all sorts of people and that "there are lots of ways to make a family," they list families with many children or just one, a child who lives with a grandmother, and a blended family. While care is taken to illustrate racially distinct characters and at least one interracial family, there is no mention of families with same-sex parents, nor is there any explicit religious diversity presented.A decent if limited offering. (Picture book. 3-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.