We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families

Todd Parr

ABC Books, 2008

32pp., pbk $14.95

9780733323119

 

This is another in the series by US author Todd Parr that focuses on issues that can be huge in the minds of our littlest people.  Unlike many authors who explore these issues using toys, teddies or animals as characters, Parr uses children as the key characters and his bold, uncomplicated illustrations are very appealing.

This book is about belonging together and the first sentence depicts it all – “We belong together because you needed a home and I had one to share.” A simple, direct statement that explains the most complex situation of adoption perfectly.  At the end of the book, Parr has a message for his readers, “There are lots of different ways to make a family.  It just takes love.  Share your home and share your heart.”  Through the words and the illustrations, you just feel that this is a genuine message, meant with feeling.

This is a lovely read-aloud book, to be shared by parent and child when they have a question about their family or that of a friend.  It echoes the messages of all those in the series -we are all different and we should accept and celebrate those differences. It’s more than okay to be yourself.

Original Review: Sat 17/05/2008