Review: We See the Moon

We See the Moon, by Carrie A. Kitze

This is one of our favorite books!  We decided to read it today because it makes us think of the upcoming Moon Festival.  I adore the illustrations -- each a different Chinese Peasant painting with vibrant colors and village scenes, many with images of the moon.  I like that the book gives kids an opportunity to think and ask questions about their birth parents. 

When I asked Zoe what she'd say the book was about, she said, "It's about MEEEE!"  How is it about you, I asked?  Zoe said "It's about a girl like me who was born in China and who wonders about her birth parents." Zoe especially likes the passage that suggests she and her birth parents can feel closer by looking at the same moon.   Zoe also said, "Some kids think about their birth parents but they might not ask questions about them.  Maybe if their mom read them this book they'd know it was okay to ask questions."

Maya is my reluctant-to-talk girl when it comes to adoption and birth parents.  But she relished reading this book to us, using her first-grade reading skills.  She agreed that the book was "about Zoe," but not so much about her.  But when I asked her about her favorite part, she picked a passage where the adoptee says she wishes her birth parents could know that she is happy and loved and at home in her new family.  That's what resonated with her.

I'm a huge fan of discussing adoption, birth parents, loss, etc., openly and often with my girls.  This book is an excellent tool for promoting adoption talk.  Even though my girls are so different in how they think and feel about their adoptions, they both love this book!