Masterfully written, this book immediately touches one's heart. Rain, the central character, takes us through her long journey to her new adopted family, crossing continents and cultural boundaries, and teaches us, in a way that only a child can, the power and poignancy of a family's love.

Through this book, we are reminded that a family's love really is forever.

A must have for every adoptive family's personal collection. Our three year old daughter (adopted from China), loves the story of Rain and Bo, and can relate so perfectly to how their forever family was formed - (and more importantly - how it explains how her own family was formed) - that she read it with us every night at bedtime. She now "reads" it all by herself - as it took no effort at all for her to memorize this heartwarming tale. Told from the child's perspective with simple but meaningful language, and the cutest illustrations - every child will love it. It's one of our favorites!

A six year old girl's light hearted account tells how she came to her adoptive mother. The easy to follow text and child-like drawings celebrate adoption and "forever families" of every kind. It's an ideal story for lap-time reading or an easy way to make the adoption story part of 'happy bed time stories'. The book will inspire parents and kids to talk about their own first "meetings," whether at birth or in an adoption agency. This picture book will have great appeal for many youngsters, though adoptees and children from blended families and single parent homes will feel a special connection and be reminded that it's love that binds families together.

Marsha Jordan
author of Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter
Inspirational essays illustrated by sick children
www.hugsandhope.org/pb.htm

I love that proceeds from this book and others go toward a good cause and the book was beautiful

Both of my girls, elder aged 6 and younger shortly will be 3, love this book. As they are from China, and I am a single Mom, they often have to be reminded it is NOT their story, but it is LIKE their story. They don't really seem to care - - they love Bo and her Hippo, and the straight-forward way the adoption story unfolds. It is clear and simple, and filled with love .... and that makes it 100% ok for us!

If you are looking for a way to introduce the concept of adoption to a young child, this book is a very nice way to do that. If you are looking for a way to broach the subject of your child's adoption with her/him, this is a great way to open the door.

Families are Forever .. .it's as simple as that .... straight-forward concept, presented in a way children can accept, understand and work into their perceptions in an easy way.

Most baby albums start with new-baby photographs. But for a little girl named Rain, her "forever family" album begins with her adoptive mother's trip to China to meet her. Told from Rain's point of view when she's "almost six," this sweet tale is graceful and eloquent: "Our eyes were different, but we could both see. Our lips were different, but we could both smile." There's no question that it was love at first sight: "I could see love in her eyes. So I gave it right back." Bridging both the generation and culture gap is Bo, the cuddly stuffed hippo who was once the mother's toy and now is a companion to Rain. This story presents a reassuring way to talk to young children about adoption: "Mom always says I was the best present she ever got."

Terrific writing teams up with superb illustrations. The photo-album technique is perfect here, providing the highlights of this family-building process.

One of the book's creators - who did adopt a Chinese girl - founded a company called As Simple As That™, which provides multi-media products that encourage children to understand and respect other cultures. Their tagline is wonderful: Celebrating What We All Share. Truly, this book is a celebration of love and life.

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This delightful children's book helps other children learn how to understand, respect and celebrate other cultures (as well as their own). The chief character is Rain, a soon to be 6 year old Asian child who tells the story of how she was adopted by an Italian NY single who came to China to get her, along with her first stuffed animal.. a hippo named Bo. It's a heartwarming tale of family love and beginnings. Great illustrations!
Raleigh Pinskey, author of 101 Ways to Promote Yourself.

I loved this book...I am considering adopting a child and found this book really heartwarming...I bought a copy for my nieces because I think it's good to expose them to the idea that there are all kinds of families in the world, and adoption, single mothers, and interracial families are all gently discussed.

My seven year old niece was able to read the book to her 4 year old sister, and both of them loved the story! The younger one was really excited about the pictures and Annie is her favorite movie, so this was a natural. The elder has a Chinese adoptee in her class this year, so this book addressed some really germain topics.

Someday maybe I can read this book to MY daughter!

This book is a great find and a wonderful story about love and family formation. This book follows one girl's heartwarming, fascinating journey from China to America into the arms and life of her loving mom and extended family. Lighthearted and touching, the story is narrated by Rain, a six year old Chinese-American adopted girl. I'm looking forward to reading what is in store for Rain and her friends next!
J. Benatar, mother of three.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.