We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families

In my opinion this is a phenomenal book. First, the illustrations are striking with their vibrant color and a realistic cartoon style. The characters are people, but some of them are purple or orange, some have green hair, some wear dresses and others wear pants. This is supposed to allow children to enjoy the book without focusing on the details of the people to see if they fit in. It targets a diverse audience. In the beginning, the author prefaced the story with a note saying how every family is different and to feel free to change the pronouns to fit your family. I think this is admirable because this book can be read to any group or child without concern of offending someone or not appealing to certain readers. This book focuses on show more adoption, and on one page, the little boy got to adopt a dog so it kind of goes in a full circle, which I also like. Overall, the message of this story is that families come all different ways and they should all be celebrated and loved. show less

Todd Parr lends his distinctive picture book style to adoption in his latest book. Every two or three pages, Parr writes “We belong together because …” and then fills in the blank in different heartfelt – and sometimes whimsical – ways. The pictures show families of all different kinds (including same-gender and different color), and in a rare Author’s Note at the beginning, Parr encourages parents to change the pronouns in the text to fit their family. This book doesn’t discuss the facts of adoption or even use the word “adoption”, but instead deals with the feelings behind adoption and wanting to be a family. In this way, it deals with the essential truth of adoption better than any book that focuses on the facts of show more the matter. This also makes it a good book for reading to very young adopted children who may not yet know the details of their adoption, and speaking as an adoptive father I was unable to read this book to my son without getting all choked up.

Reviewed by Book Dads show less

This book was so cute! The author did a really good job portraying the message about adoption and that there are many reasons people adopt and make those who are adopted feel loved. He even left a note in the front of the book that said "This book is meant to be read with someone you love. Every family is different, so feel free to change the pronouns in this text to fit your family." I thought that was so cool because now there are so many types of families. There are children who have a mom and a dad, 2 moms, 2 dads, they are raised by a single parent, aunts/uncles, and even grandparents. I thought that it was awesome that he incorporated that message into the beginning of the book because every family is really different.

This book show more is made for a younger audience because there is one short sentence on almost every page. The illustrations are also very kid friendly because it looks like a child actually drew them. The main message of this book is that there are people in the world who need a home, a family, and love. There are people out there who adopt every day because they are looking for someone to join their family. The family is going to love you and live a happy life together. It also shows that it is okay to have a different family from someone else since all families are indeed different. show less

This book is about adoption and families. Just because you are not blood related does not mean you are not family and you are not loved. I loved this book because I love the idea of children being adopted and loved by someone that is a stranger at first. This book is very touching and teaches children the true meaning of love.

This is good for families who have adopted children AND for everyone else. Sometimes biological children have the same question: WHY am I in THIS family? (at least I know my own daughter has sometimes wondered that!) The short answer is that we each have something special to give. My favorite line: "We belong together because...you needed someone to read to you and we had stories to share."

The artwork is classic Todd Parr - bright, childlike, and charming.

Reviewed by Me for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

Although WE BELONG TOGETHER is geared towards adoptive parents and their children, any family can benefit from reading the book, especially if done so together. Although I've read some negative reviews about the book, statements made that it gives the wrong message to adopted children, I don't think that's the case at all.

Both of my children have, at one time or another, asked why they were our kids and not someone elses. How is it that we became their parents, and not the parents of some other children? For younger children, who don't know all of the details of how becoming a parent works, this is a valid question.

My answer has always been the same as the one Todd Parr provides within the pages show more of the bright, bold, beautifully illustrated WE BELONG TOGETHER: because you needed love, and I had a lot to give.

This book, although it doesn't mention birth parents, makes the act of adoption a two-way street: both child and parent need something (love, learning, shelter, fun & laughter), and both have things to give in return (a hug & a kiss, knowledge, safety).

I think that this is a great book for adopted families, especially when read together. But all families will enjoy it, and the positive message of love and acceptance that it gives. show less

The simple text of this book make it accessible to young readers. At its core adoption is about sharing your home and your heart with someone and this book states just that! Paired with the colorful art young students will be sucked in quickly.