When Allison tries on the red kimono her grandmother has sent her, she is suddenly aware that she resembles her favorite doll more than she does he...
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Jan 31, 2011
Sarah
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In this story, Allison is a pre-school-age girl who finds out that she is adopted and is left feeling very different from her parents and classmates and unsure of who she is. Allen Say's illustrations are beautiful and assist to tell this story nicely. The concept is a good one and can easily be used with young children and primary-age grade school students when studying about different types of families. However, there are some things that I would go over such as the words "kimono,"
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May 04, 2010
Josiah
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Allison is a stirringly realistic portrayal of the tension and inner sadness that can brew in the heart of a person who has felt or still feels unwanted, who feels that something about themselves wasn't worth keeping to the minds of those who should have loved them unconditionally with more reason than anyone else.
Allison is an Asian-American girl who was adopted from her original home and imported to the United States when she was young; so young, in fact, that she remembers nothi More...
Allison is an Asian-American girl who was adopted from her original home and imported to the United States when she was young; so young, in fact, that she remembers nothi More...
Dec 08, 2011
Louise
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Allen Say's books are quite distinctive and always attractive, this is the first of his books that I've read. Hmmmm, I see what this book is trying to do, I just don't know if I quite believe how it does it. Beautifully illustrated with moving paintings, Allison is the story of a young girl adopting from Japan into a Caucasian American family. A loving family. She has her special doll Mei Mei to remind her of her homeland. One day with a level of insight possibly beyond a preschooler Allison rea
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Oct 12, 2011
Melissa
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I would not have checked out this book if I had pre-read it first. This book gave a negative view of adoption because her parents waited until she was in preschool to tell her. Poor Allison felt different and alienated from her parents. Adopted kids should know from day one that they were "chosen" and not wait until other kids or realizations lead them to the conclusion. I am so happy that my 5 year old thought this was "stupid" as well. Her best friend was adopted from
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Feb 20, 2009
Mary
rated it: 
I really enjoyed this simple story around a child's growing awareness of their own adoption.
The quick intake of breath when she realizes for the first time that there are "other" parents
out there. And that these "other parents" decided they could not care for her. Allen Say's story and illustrations ring with a quiet beautiful truth easily understood by the youngest of ages. This is a wonderful real-aloud.
The quick intake of breath when she realizes for the first time that there are "other" parents
out there. And that these "other parents" decided they could not care for her. Allen Say's story and illustrations ring with a quiet beautiful truth easily understood by the youngest of ages. This is a wonderful real-aloud.
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Jan 29, 2011
Angie
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This book has a good message about adoption, but I thought it resolved itself very quickly. Allison takes only 2 days to accept the fact that she is adopted.
Jun 11, 2009
Lesley
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Good story which adds some insight into what some adopted children go through. Lovely illustrations from Allen Say, as usual.
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May 27, 2009
Snorkle
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This book had a nice message, but I don't know if children would get it. I liked the illustrations, they were moving and poignant. I would probably recommend, but with a word of caution if you had adopted children and they did not know it themselves.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009/05...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009/05...
Jun 27, 2008
Khinna
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This was a book about a young girl coming-to-age that she is different from her parents. I really enjoy this book, because it's simplicistic notion of adoption and what adopted children may face may prepare me for a "future" adoption of my own ;)
Sep 22, 2010
Esther
rated it:
The pictures were beautiful but the story was anxiety provoking. It expressed negative emotions but there was a lack of warmth to the book and I'm not sure it soothes enough for all the anxiety it provokes.
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