Product Description

Choco wishes he had a mother, but who could she be? He sets off to find her, asking all kinds of animals, but he doesn't meet anyone who looks just like him. He doesn't even think of asking Mrs. Bear if she's his mother-but then she starts to do just the things a mommy might do. And when she brings him home, he meets her other children-a piglet, a hippo, and an alligator-and learns that families can come in all shapes and sizes and still fit together.

Keiko Kasza's twist on the "Are you my mother?" theme has become one of the most highly recommended stories about adoption for children.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5985 in Books
• Published on: 1996-03-19
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K --Fans of Kasza's previous picture books will welcome this latest effort. Cheerful, energetic illustrations decorate the simple but charming taleof a youngster's search for a loving parent. A chubby-faced yellow bird with blue-striped feet, Choco believes that physical similarity is a prerequisite for family relationships. He asks a series of animals who bear even the slightest resemblance to him if they might be his mother, but all turn him away. Discouraged by their rejection, Choco is pleasantly surprised when Mrs. Bear takes an interest in him, plays with and cuddles him, and ultimately offers him a home. The presence of other ``adoptees'' is made obvious as a young alligator, hippopotamus, and pig welcome Choco into his new family. The endearing watercolor paintings are bold and bright enough to appeal to the very youngest listeners, and there is a wealth of character and personality evident in the animals' expressions. These pictures, along with the minimal, repetitive text, make this an excellent choice for storytime use. The emphasis on caring and sharing despite superficial differences will surely find a wide audience. A multicultural message may also be read into this satisfying story with appealing illustrations and a very happy ending. --Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
The talented creator of The Wolf's Chicken Stew (1987 ALA Notable) provides a warmhearted contemporary surprise ending for the time-honored formula of a little creature searching the animal kingdom for its appropriate mother. Choco, a small yellow bird with a big blue bill, tries a giraffe (she has no wings, she says), a penguin (no ``big round cheeks''), and a walrus, but no one seems to look just like him. Comfortable Mrs. Bear is wiser: ``If you had a mommy, what would she do?'' And since she's quite able to hold him and kiss him, regardless of appearances, he's soon the new member of her happy family--joining the little pig, hippo, and alligator already in her affectionate brood. The timely point is hardly subtle, but it's made with notable good humor, especially in Kasza's marvelous animal caricatures of comically human states of mind. Just right for the preschool group or beginning reader. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly
A profound message, endearingly and subtly delivered. An ideal choice for adopted or foster children.

Customer Reviews

A mother for Choco; a story for my daughter
I absolutely adore this book. My sister gave it to us before we traveled to China to adopt our daughter. She's just over two now and has read this book with me dozens of times. We both love the illustrations, and even at a very young age, she "gets" the idea that Choco finds a mother in Mrs. Bear, regardless of the fact that they look nothing alike. (I confess I still get misty every time I read it.) The message is delightfully done--not schmaltzy, not overdone. I would recommend this to any family--adoptive or not.

great book!
love this book. it gently opens a discussion about what being a mom to a child really means. we dont always "look" like our children and this book addresses that. specifically good for adopted children.

Love this book
I love this book and my adopted daughter loves this book. Granted she is about to turn 2, however, she still will pick this book up for me to read regularly. I have recommended this book as well to the adoption forums I belong too. Great message we are all different and it is about the love.