My 8-year-old loved this book. She was fascinated by the illustrations and the idea that despite our physical differences as a racially blended family, we are very much the same inside, where it makes all the difference. Excellent source for starting a dialogue with any child.

I have found this book to be an excellent connecting point with our children who were adopted. The way that Kitze acknowledges physical differences and yet affirms the similarities that truly matter is reassuring for children who have concerns about not resembling their adoptive or foster parents. Multicultural illustrations add to the thoughtful writing.

I recently gave this book as a shower gift for my niece who adopted a 2 1/2 year old little girl. Everyone at the shower read the entire book and just loved it! Michelle says Austina always brings this book to her during reading time. I will remember this book for future adoptive families.

This book brings to light new adoption research--that adoptive parents have just as much biological influence over their children as the biological parents. How refreshing for the secretly doubting adoptive parent who compares his/her contribution to the birth parents in the life of the child. Carrie makes it clear that by modeling exemplary character to their children, the influence is just as great. Way to go, Carrie!

This is a great "feel good" book for young children. However, it is awkward to read for a family that does not pray, as the book assumes all do. Since it is written in the first person, it is especially hard to fit the words into our lifestyle.

I just received this book as a gift. It's wonderful, filled with sweet messages affirming the value of loving, caring, giving, listening and sharing, and illustrations showing children and care givers who don't look alike sharing day-to-day life moments. I didn't realize how much I miss seeing images of diverse families in books until I read this one. The large photos are appealing even to young children and the text is accessible to a large age range of children with messages a parent won't tire of reading. Differences between family members are not denied but the commonality of the human spirit is honored. This book is appropriate not only for adoptive families (like my own) but step-families, bi-cultural or multicultural families and families where biologically related children don't resemble one or either of their parents. It's a great book for school reading projects too as it promotes positive messages and is inclusive of children who don't look like their caregivers.
Cissy White, Families with Children from China member, So. Shore, Ma

Carrie Kitz has written a wonderful story for all families to enjoy together. My girls, ages 5 and 2, ask me to read it over and over. As a mom to one daughter from China and one from Cambodia, I especially enjoy the message the book sends- we may look different on the outside, but on the inside, we are the same.

Don't be fooled by the cover. Carrie's newest creation speaks to the entire adoption and foster community. " I Don't Have Your Eyes" is the novel, one-of-a kind kids' adoption book we have needed.

Although a " feel good" book, there is nothing sterotypical about how adoption is discussed. The illustrations include and normalize all different type of families.

"I Don't Have Your Eyes" helps kids go beyond " blood" and "genes" as the only important ties between family members. Instead, Carrie gently points out, even more important, shared strengths and similarities. The book's concrete examples ( with a little dab of houmor) are delightful.

Congratulations to Ms. Kitze for carefully considering the needs of the adoption community as she publishes her 'adoption and empowerment- themed' books.

Beth O'Malley M.Ed adoptee and newly adoptive Mom ....

I find this book to be very inspiring. I wish I had A book like this when I was a child. As an adult adoptee, I feel this book touches upon the most important connections we need to make with our children. Thank you, Carrie!

This is one of the best childrens' books I have ever read. I think its essential for children who have been adopted and its a great book for children not adopted because it gives children at a young age the idea of how special adoption really is. What I loved about the book is that it doesn't just talk about eyes, but legs, and nose...etc. The child is saying in the book I didn't get my features from you but look at all the important things I got from you such as your way of looking at life. It was beautiful, just beautiful. A must have.

My 3 year old daughter adopted from China likes this book very much, she likes to follow along with the pictures and calls out "pop pop" etc. in reponse to the various people pictured in the book. We like this one!

My five-and-a-half year old and I read this book recently (after a conversation about ways we look the same and ways we don't, and ways she might look like her birthparents and ways she might look like me). At the end of the book, she said, "That warms my heart. Can we read it again?" Tonight, she said, "Can we read that book that made my heart warm?"


I agree with some other reviewers: if you're not a family that prays together, the praying page is a little awkward, but still, nice to illustrate the variety of things families do.