Product Description

An adopted Korean girl discovers that her classmates have different types of families.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #220199 in Books
• Published on: 1991-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The title of this book, created by a woman with an adopted Korean daughter, telegraphs its message loud and clear. The simple, direct text paired with serviceable if uninspired artwork sketches the story of a family composed of Caucasian parents, their two adopted Korean daughters and their dog. Told in the voice of the younger daughter Nico, the familiar concerns of adopted children and their parents are expressed. Nico's mother reassures her by reminding her that no family is exactly alike. Nico then observes a diverse mix of families including single parent, mixed race, etc. Though occasionally coy--"My mom and dad are really old. You have to count to about thirty to get to their age"--this is a straightforward celebration of "a special kind of glue called love " that holds families together. Readers hungry for this type of bibliotherapy will take it to heart. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 1-- Although Korean-born Nico doesn't like looking different from her adoptive parents, her mother assures her that, indeed, there are all kinds of families, "glued together with a special kind of glue called love ." Thus follows some of the many variations of modern-day families, featuring a multiracial mix of both traditional and nontraditional groupings. Single and adoptive parents, grandparent guardians, and steprelatives all receive equal attention. While neither the watercolor illustrations nor the text are particularly inspiring, both convey a clear message of the need for accepting differences among lifestyles and stress that "family" is a bond created more by love and concern among its members than by biological relationships. A definite discussion-starter and an acceptable choice for those wishing to address the issue of the changing family group. --Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, Wheeler School, Providence, RI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
In her first children's book, Pellegrini takes on the voice of her younger adopted daughter, Nico, who explains that she and her sister come from Korea; they don't look like their parents- -''I grew in someone else's belly, but my mom and dad are the ones who promised to love and take care of me forever.'' Comparing her family to others she knows, Nico discovers nine other patterns--varied in size, color, composition, and family resemblances--all ``glued together with...love.'' Like real people, the ones in Pellegrini's serviceable illustrations are a little homely, but they effectively communicate their mutual affection. Warm, attractive, and useful. (Picture book. 3-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

A much needed book that focuses on families, not on adoption
I have been looking for a book that does not obsess with adoption. Pellegrini shows us with lovely illustrations that the adopted child within his/her family is, in a true sense, not any different from anyone else, simply because families are, indeed, different! She cleverly shows us what we see in our own neighborhoods but don't really think about. By the time young Nico has shown us all the differences, we say: She's right! Families are all so different. We can understand why Nico feels relieved and why we should too in telling our children that it's okay to look different! A charming book.
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

Wonderful story about not-so-different families
I really enjoyed the way this book explored not only issues of adoption, but the way in which so many families now are not "traditional". I am glad that this book is around for my daughter to read. The families are presented in an honest, straightforward way -- and really don't seem that "different" after all!

A Good Piece Multicultural Literature
A young Korean girl, Nico, feels different from all her friends. All of Nico's friends and families look like one another but Nico and her sister, Angel, all do not look like her friends or even their own parents. Nico and Angel were adopted. Her mother explains to Nico that all families, no matter different, are all tied together with a special kind of glue, called love. After this Nico explores the city which she lives in and discovers there are many types of families. There are stepsiblings, grandparents, single parents, and much more. Nico realizes she is just like everyone else.

Families are Different is a seeming good multicultural book because it highlights groups of people outside the sociopolitical mainstream. The selection exhibits a positive perspective towards multi-ethnic families. It encourages diversity and could help a child feel more confidence about his or her self as Pellearini explains that families are composed of love.