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6.18.2012

books: a new favorite at the M6 house ~ Sweet Moon Baby

Here at the M6 house we've got a love for books.

There are children's books scattered throughout nearly every room of the house.  Books can be found on shelves in the playroom, crates in the girls' room, baskets at the top of the stairs, stacks in the boys' room, piles on the nightstands in my room...

Library day is a popular day and my big girl has even traded the offer of going out for a Frosty to select her own new reads at the library.  We read often through the day and never fail to miss a pre-nap or bedtime story...or two...or three.

It's safe to say that Ian and I have read several hundred titles in the five years we've been parents.  Some we really, really enjoy and some...well...not so much.

There are books that are just plain fun, there are books to help our emerging readers, there are books that help teach colors, numbers and letters, and sometimes, when we're lucky, there are books that help us open communication about life before "Gotcha Day."

Recently I noticed a lot of buzz in adoptive circles about Sweet Moon Baby by Karen Henry Clark.  Initially I was hesitant to consider another children's story about adoption because  ~ and I feel awful for admitting this ~ there are a few out there that I can't stand.  But then I saw some of the illustrations, which are amazingly lovely, and decided to give it a shot.

I entered into several giveaways and didn't win.  But then I noticed that the author was looking for a few more folks from different regions of the country to host a giveaway.  My region was listed, so I contacted her and was pleased to hear I'd be hosting a giveaway myself.

A few days later, a signed copy of the book arrived in the mail.  A package, especially one that contains a new book, makes everyone in our family smile.


DQ couldn't wait for me to read it, but first I had to win my skeptic over.

Ky sighed, rolled her eyes, and told me in her very sophisticated "now I'm a first grader voice" that that the book was too babyish for her.

I'm still guessing the babyish mindset came from the (albeit beautiful) illustration a a sleeping wee one under the word baby.

I really wanted her opinion though, as she is my biggest book worm, so I asked her to give the book a chance.  She grudgingly agreed to at least give it a look...


At first glance it appeared she wasn't going to give the book a real chance.


But those illustrations drew her in.


Charmed, she flipped back to the beginning of the book and started again, this time catching sight words and sounding out some of the others.


Before long she asked for us to read it together.  You know, because it was about a little girl from China...

Her skeptical side?  As soon as the story was over she said, "You know Mommy, I was wrong about this book.  I thought it was for babies, but it was really for me.  I like how the girl is a lot like me."  And that lead into a discussion of her days before we met.  While those conversations are hard, (there are a lot of unknowns in her background, a lot of unanswered questions) it is good for her to be reminded again that February 5, 2007 (the day she was placed in our arms) was not actually the day she was born.  DQ loved the illustrations and both boys actually sat still, enthralled with the baby's string of guardian animals.

One caveat ~ the part of the story that tells how the girl found her forever family is more of a fairytale version of the story of Moses than it is a real depiction of how many of our children found themselves traveling across the world to their new homes.  Not exactly non-fiction, but in my house it did open dialogue about the beginning of their stories.

And for us?  That's exactly what we're looking for in a children's book about adoption.

The great thing about this book is that you don't have to be an adoptive parent to love it and share it with your children.  It can be a great dialogue starter to help explain how cousins or friends joined their families as easily as it can be used for the adoptee.

If you are an adoptive family, or friends of an adoptive family, or even if you just enjoy sweet fairy tale stories, this book should be in your personal library.


For a chance to win your very own copy of Sweet Moon Baby, signed by the author ~ don't worry about us missing our copy, we've long since ordered and started to wear out our own copy ~ just do one (or all three) of the following:

1.  Leave a comment with your favorite children's story ~ adoptive focused or not.  We're always looking for a new title to add to our home library.

2.  Become a fan by liking the Sweet Moon Baby Facebook page and/or the Sweet Moon Baby's Amazon page.  Leave a separate comment from your book recommendation to let me know you did.  (More likes on Amazon will help ensure that the book remains in print ~ besides, if you don't win, you'll want to have the page bookmarked so you can order your own copy!)

3.  Share this post on your FB page or blog and leave a separate comment with a link to your posting.

The giveaway ends on Saturday, June 30 at 11:59 pm.  Winner will be drawn on Sunday, July 1 and posted that evening.


25 comments:

Michelle P. said...

Kristi, I enjoy reading your blog! We love books around here too. One of our favorites is an old book called "Eighteen Cousins". It's a very cute book about country/farm life and a large family.

Mike and Leticia said...

just liked Sweet Moon Baby on Fbk

Mike and Leticia said...

just shared link on fbk

Mike and Leticia said...

Where the Wild Things Are! :)

Our Journey to China said...

What a great way to encourage sweet Ky....by her encouraging others! Love this girl and you all!! My all time favorite is "The Velveteen Bunny", then "Good Night Moon." You know I can always find another great book for our 'library'. :) I just liked the fb page. Thanks for sharing! :)

Laurie said...

We're about books too, so this is my kind of contest! :) One of my favorite books for kids is Just in Case You Ever Wonder, by Max Lucado. Both my kids adore it!

Julie said...

I have been trying to win this book all over blogland! E's favorite right now is Goodnight Moon. Will's current favorite is Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Girl. It's a new one to us and Will is all about superheroes!

Julie said...

Like them on FB and Amazon! (Cause I will be buying one soon)

Andy H. said...

Hey Kristi! One of our favorite books is "Guess How Much I Love You". We bought a recordable version of that book and recorded ourselves reading it. We then sent it in a care package to Korea where we hope our little Anderson has been listening to it!

Julie said...

And my blog entry will be up in the morning....though I secretly want to keep this one to myself. :)

Turtle Mom said...

My favorite children's story is The Poky Little Puppy.

Annette said...

We love "A Mother for Choco". It's a great way to start the discussion about how families are formed...

Brooke said...

Kristi,
I read your blog all the time and love reading about your amazing kids. I too have a new 1st grader (also from LianJiang) who is an avid reader. Our current favorite books are Barbie's, The Giving Tree and any readers about horses (I.e. The clue in the Clubhouse, Lucky, Black Beauty)

Thanks,

Brooke

Sandra said...

I just popped over from a friend's blog! I too have been watching the buzz around this book. I already like SBM on Facebook!

Unknown said...

I have too many favorites! I am in the VERY beginning thought of single parent adoption, so I'm sure the faves will change when I have a little one. Right ow, I'd have to say "Love You Forever.". Also liking on FB and Amazon...looking forward to building my library!

Amy Murphy said...

We like all the old Dr. Suess stories. My Favorite is Sneetches and Other Stories, but Ewen's favorite (right now) is Happy Birthday to You.

Amy Murphy said...

http://www.facebook.com/blueamy76
Not sure if this is the right link, but I posted this on facebook. :)

Pam said...

We're BIG on books at our house, too! And even Grace still enjoys listening in on our picture book read alouds! There are SO many books my kids enjoy, it's hard to narrow it down to just one. But I'd recommend the "Seven Silly Eaters" as one a mama will enjoy every bit as much as the children listening to it! It's guaranteed to bring on some giggles and smiles.

Mama to One said...

I have so many favorite children's books but the one I loved best when I was a kid was The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss. I still have my beat up copy.

Mama to One said...

I "liked" their facebook page.

Monica said...

My favorite kids book as of today is "All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome". It really explains AS well to smaller kids, and is positive, which I love.

Monica said...

Also liked the fb page.

Stacey said...

I liked the FB page and amazon page too. We love books in our house. My current favorite children's book is: "The Secret of Saying Thanks" by Douglas Wood (author of The Old Turtle.) Love this thought from the book: "The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time." Also: "We don't give thanks because we are happy. We are happy because we give thanks."

Rebekah said...

I think my favorite adoption themed book is "A Mother for Choco". I also like "The Three Names of Me."

Rebekah said...

Just liked Sweet Baby Moon on Facebook