Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale

Clark, Karen Henry

ISBN 10: 037595709X ISBN 13: 9780375957093

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2010

Synopsis

This is the story of one baby’s journey from her birth parents in China, who dream of a better life for their daughter, to her adoptive parents on the other side of the world, who dream of the life they can give her.
A turtle, a peacock, a monkey, a panda, and some fish shepherd the baby as she floats in a basket on a moonlit, winding river into the loving arms of her new parents.
Perfect for bedtime reading, Karen Henry Clark’s poetic text, reminiscent of a lullaby, and Patrice Barton’s textured and gentle-hued illustrations capture the great love between parents and children and the miraculous journey of adoption.

About this title

About the Author:

KAREN HENRY CLARK wrote her first story when she was four years old by dictating the tale of a runaway popcorn ball to her father. From that moment on, she wanted to become an author. It took longer than she anticipated, as do most things in life. Sweet Moon Baby is her first book. She lives with her husband and daughter in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she loves to watch the moon rise over the Mississippi, a wide and wonderful river like the one in this book.

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-K—A lyrical fantasy about a Chinese infant's magical trip to her adoptive parents. Her birth parents declare her "perfect," but are unable to provide for her. Thus they place her in a basket and set her adrift: "We must trust the moon. Only good things will happen to our daughter." Helped by a variety of animals as well as a beneficent-looking moon, the baby girl floats down the "winding river" to her adoptive parents, who have been preparing for her arrival by planting vegetables and trees, building a new bedroom, and buying books. Their hands are shown parting reeds to reveal her smiling up at them from her basket. The vibrant watercolors capture her journey and her delight in her new family and home. Although most youngsters will understand that the journey on the river is a fantasy, adults should be prepared for questions from literal-minded children who may wonder why a baby had to make a solitary voyage and depend on the kindness of wild animals in order to reach her destination. Ann Turner's Through Moon and Stars and Night Sky (Harper, 1990) also features poetic language and tells the story from the child's point of view. Clark's book would be a good choice where demand for adoption stories, especially those about international adoption, is strong.—Deborah Vose, East Middle School and South Middle School, Braintree, MA
(c) Copyright 2011.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 037595709X
• ISBN 13: 9780375957093
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Barton Patrice