Monday, July 2, 2012

Emotional Themes in IA Children's Books

An interesting paper examining 24 children's books that focus specifically on adoption of girls from China; here's the abstract:
In the context of Greenspan’s (1988) Emotional Milestones Model for child development, this qualitative study explored the emotional themes displayed in children’s picture books about transracial international adoption. The books (n=24) were coded independently by two researchers. Two primary themes from the transition literature (trepidation, wonder) were evident in the content analysis. The results are consistent with the adoption literature, which suggests that an emphasis on transparency is most beneficial to adoptive family adjustment. Implications for practitioners and researchers are noted.
And here's the book list:
Barrett, L. (2009). My new mommy I got adopted! Mustang, OK: Tate.

Busby, R. (2005). Carson’s book A story about adoption from China. Bloomington, IN: Author House.

Coste, M. (2006). Finding Joy. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.

Cumings, M. (2006). Three names of me. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.

Davies Okimoto, J. & Aoki, E. M. (2002). The White Swan Express a story about adoption. New York: Clarion Books.

Kennedy, P. (2006). A story about adoption A sister for Matthew. Nashville TN: GPKids.

Kitze, C.A. (2003). We see the moon. Warren, NJ: EMK Press.

Koh, F. M. (2000). A China adoption story Mommy, why do we look different? Minneapolis, MN: EastWest Press.

Lewis, R. (2000). I love you like crazy cakes. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Lewis, R. (2007). Every year on your birthday. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

McMahon, P. & McCarthy, C.C. (2005). Just add one Chinese sister. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.

Miceli, M.A. (2009). China baby doll. Bloomington, IN: Xlibris.

Molnar-Fention, S. (1998). An Mei’s strange and wondrous journey. New York: Melanie Kroupa Book.

Oelschlager, V. (2008). Made in China A story of adoption. Akron, OH: Vanita Books.

Peacock, C.A. (2000). Mommy far, Mommy near An adoption story. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.

Petertyl, M.E. (1997). Seeds of love For brothers and sisters of international adoption. Grand Rapids, MI: Folio One.

Regier, D. (2004). The long ride a child’s search/a family’s search. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Kidzone.

Schaumberg, R. M. & Schaumberg, E.R. (2007). Three blessings from China adopted. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse.

Shemin, C. (2003). Families are forever. Montauk, NY: As Simple As That.

Spangler, J. (2008). The sky princess. Denver, CO: Outskirts Press.

Spangler, J. (2009). The sky princess moves to the land of peaches. Bloomington, IN: Author House.

Stoeke, J.M. (2005). Waiting for May. New York: Puffin.

Thomas, E. (2004). The red blanket. New York: Scholastic Press.

Young, E. (2006). My Mei Mei. New York: Philomel Books.

4 comments:

-J.D. Humenay said...

I always thought the adoption books I had around as a kid were weird. I mean, once I was old enough to understand that I wasn't "picked out special" and more the product of lots of paperwork and a lottery, essentially, I felt that these were lies, though well intentioned lies...

Anonymous said...

Do any of these have your recommendation? My kids aren't from china, but we do have one book about Chinese adoption - "The Little Girl" by Phillip Wong.

malinda said...

Here's my ultimate adoption book list, which includes many not of China:

http://chinaadoptiontalk.blogspot.com/2009/04/adoption-book-list.html

Jamie said...

Did you read the article? I read it but can't figure out the point of the article.