We Belong Together: A Book about Adoption and Families (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: We Belong Together: A Book about Adoption and Families Deborah Stevenson Parr, Todd We Belong Together: A Book about Adoption and Families; written and illus. by Todd Parr. Tingley/Little, 200732p ISBN 978-0-316-01668-1$15.99 R 2-5 yrs "We belong together because . . . you needed a home/ and I had one to share." So begins this simple paean to adopted families, which goes from modest explanation ("You needed someone to kiss your boo-boos/ and we had kisses to give") to celebration ("Now we can all hold hands"). Though the text is a little sing-songy in its repetition, the basic nature of the stated needs brings them closer to the truth of the relationship than in many books about adoption, and they're concrete enough to be understandable to young children. Parr's trademark vigorous graphics, unshaded black-lined colors in a rainbow of hues on every page, unthreateningly support the text, offering a variety of families with parents single and partnered, couples same sex, complementary sex, and unascertainable sex, while the multiplicity of colors—including blue and purple—in the faces ensures inclusivity. This will be a boon to adults seeking literary support in addressing the topic, and there's plenty of room for readers-aloud to spin the pattern off into their own particular favorite family elements. Copyright © 2007 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois