cover image Families Are Different

Families Are Different

Nina Pellegrini. Holiday House, $17.95 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-8234-0887-0

The title of this book, created by a woman with an adopted Korean daughter, telegraphs its message loud and clear. The simple, direct text paired with serviceable if uninspired artwork sketches the story of a family composed of Caucasian parents, their two adopted Korean daughters and their dog. Told in the voice of the younger daughter Nico, the familiar concerns of adopted children and their parents are expressed. Nico's mother reassures her by reminding her that no family is exactly alike. Nico then observes a diverse mix of families including single parent, mixed race, etc. Though occasionally coy--``My mom and dad are really old. You have to count to about thirty to get to their age''--this is a straightforward celebration of ``a special kind of glue called love '' that holds families together. Readers hungry for this type of bibliotherapy will take it to heart. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)