What do you think?
Rate this book
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a special celebration of the love and joy an adopted child creates for a family. Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell, the New York Times bestselling team behind Today I Feel Silly and I’m Gonna Like Me , bring us a tender and funny picture book for every parent and child. In asking her parents to tell her again about the night of her birth, a young girl relives a cherished tale she knows by heart. Focusing on the significance of family and love, this a unique and beautiful story about adoption and the importance of a loving family. A beautiful adoption story, Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born also speaks to the universal childhood desire to know more about the excitement, awe, love, and sleeplessness that a new baby brings to a family. Tell me again about the night I was born. Tell me again how you would adopt me and be my parents. Tell me again about the first time you held me in your arms.
40 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 1996
10 people are currently reading
1572 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Lee Curtis
55 books219 followersJamie Lee Curtis is a two-time Golden Globe-winning, BAFTA-winning, and Emmy-nominated American film actress and an author of children's books. Although she was initially known as a "scream queen" because of her starring roles in many horror films early in her career such as Halloween (1978 film), The Fog, Prom Night (1980 film) and Terror Train, Curtis has since compiled a body of work that covers many genres. She has received an Emmy Award nomination and two Golden Globe Awards. Her 1998 book, Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day, made the best-seller list in The New York Times. She is married to actor Christopher Guest (Lord Haden-Guest) and, as the wife of a Lord, is titled Lady Haden-Guest, but she chooses not to use the title when in the United States.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
February 7, 2023
Oh I burst into tears (at a certain point) and began to sob so loudly.
Since at first I figured I knew what this book was all about.
But then, with a start I remembered how Jamie Lee Curtis wasn't able to have her own biological children.
THIS MAGNIFICENT STORY FILLS SUCH A LONGING WITHIN ME
Not that I personally haven't been able to bear a child. I did. At 43, and just about everything about that was easy for my husband and me.
But I'm still crying, as I write this review. Because my heart goes out big-big-big to my sisters who have fought so hard, through fertility treatments and living in suspense over the possibility of adoption, or after agreeing (when grandmother age) to mother the children of the drug-addicted biological mom, etc.
(And yes, I personally know real-life women who managed to attain motherhood by these difficult paths, and many others.)
On top of all these motherly women have suffered -- and not ever offset by all that they gained after somehow becoming parents -- never had I thought about this before:
So many beautiful stories these true mothers have never had a chance to tell. Before this book.
YOU TOLD THIS STORY ON BEHALF OF SO MANY WOMEN, JAMIE LEE.
Thank you so much.
And thanks too for the lighthearted tone and the joyful watercolor-style illustrations. As for me, I'm still heaving a little and blowing my nose and wiping hot tears from my cheeks.
THERE IS SO MUCH PAIN IN THIS WORLD
Kindness and compassion can ease our way. Being human can mean helping one another.
So yes, thank you so much, Jamie and Laura.
Through this one little picture book, who knows how many hearts have been made more whole?
Since at first I figured I knew what this book was all about.
But then, with a start I remembered how Jamie Lee Curtis wasn't able to have her own biological children.
THIS MAGNIFICENT STORY FILLS SUCH A LONGING WITHIN ME
Not that I personally haven't been able to bear a child. I did. At 43, and just about everything about that was easy for my husband and me.
But I'm still crying, as I write this review. Because my heart goes out big-big-big to my sisters who have fought so hard, through fertility treatments and living in suspense over the possibility of adoption, or after agreeing (when grandmother age) to mother the children of the drug-addicted biological mom, etc.
(And yes, I personally know real-life women who managed to attain motherhood by these difficult paths, and many others.)
On top of all these motherly women have suffered -- and not ever offset by all that they gained after somehow becoming parents -- never had I thought about this before:
So many beautiful stories these true mothers have never had a chance to tell. Before this book.
YOU TOLD THIS STORY ON BEHALF OF SO MANY WOMEN, JAMIE LEE.
Thank you so much.
And thanks too for the lighthearted tone and the joyful watercolor-style illustrations. As for me, I'm still heaving a little and blowing my nose and wiping hot tears from my cheeks.
THERE IS SO MUCH PAIN IN THIS WORLD
Kindness and compassion can ease our way. Being human can mean helping one another.
So yes, thank you so much, Jamie and Laura.
Through this one little picture book, who knows how many hearts have been made more whole?
October 11, 2009
This book is way cute! It’s different than I thought it would be-I was expecting it to be about how a baby was made pretty much and in some ways it was but in many ways it wasn’t. This is the book about an adoption—a girl who was adopted asks her mom to tell her about the night she was born, and it goes through the whole process. The adoptive parents got the phone call in the middle of the night, jumped on a plane, called their grandparents, and then explains that the adoptive mother couldn’t grow a baby in her tummy so another woman who was too young to take care of the girl was growing her and she would be the birth mother but not the adoptive mother. It shows them arriving at the hospital and seeing their baby for the first time, the baby (in actual size) for the first time and the first time that each held the baby and their first night with her. Towards the end the girl says “Tell me about our first night as a family.”
I thought this book was very sweet to read-I loved it! Though it was different than I thought, it was a good different and I liked what I was reading. I thought the point of the book was really good and it would definitely be good to read when you’re adopting a child or you’ve adopted one. I liked the pictures as well! This could be used in your classroom when you’re talking about families, or adoption, but I feel like it might be better used on a one-by-one basis instead of reading it to your whole class. I still loved it though!
I thought this book was very sweet to read-I loved it! Though it was different than I thought, it was a good different and I liked what I was reading. I thought the point of the book was really good and it would definitely be good to read when you’re adopting a child or you’ve adopted one. I liked the pictures as well! This could be used in your classroom when you’re talking about families, or adoption, but I feel like it might be better used on a one-by-one basis instead of reading it to your whole class. I still loved it though!
September 24, 2015
As a father of an adopted child, this book makes me weepy. Every. Single. Time. It is really a lovely account from a little girl of the night she was born and adopted by her parents and really does capture what it is like. One of my favorite books to read to my daughter.
February 7, 2017
Estaba en el trabajo y está super cute ♥
March 29, 2024
What they loved hearing the first time children want to hear again and again and again. And this is a book they will love having read to them again and again.
March 23, 2020
A picture-book like this one is important for adopted children to know at a young age. I say this from my own experience in being adopted. It should not be something that is hidden or hard to talk about, every person has a right to know about the day they were born— that does not mean they are going to end up with hard feelings. As long as the adoptive family continues to show love and care for their adopted child, that child is going to know that they are with the family they were meant to be with. Families are not limited to only those in their household. Adoptive families can be combined with the biological families, if that is the type of adoption they chose. From personal experience, I say having the biological family at least known is better— it is not fun growing up without any information of what makes you You biologically, as everyone else around you is able to do so.
September 26, 2018
I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and was excited to see how the author, Jamie Lee Curtis, was going to explain adoption. The book is about a little girl who wants to hear about the night she was born, but as you read it you can tell it is not the first time she has heard it. The book is basically the little girl tell the story herself. You can tell the excitement in her words and the love she has for the story. I think the fact that is in her perspective that it is easier for young kids who would like to read this book to understand. In the book I liked how the adoption process was explained. The little girl mentions that her mommy could not make a baby in her stomach so someone that could but was not ready to be a mommy wanted them to be her parents. The illustrations were so well done. I like the color which to me would be extremely appealing to young children. The illustrations help follow the story, so if a child that may not be able to read so well can look at them and see what is happening. I think that this book should be read to young kids because it does start a conversation among them.
November 16, 2021
A heartwarming book representing a different way of a 'family' comes to form. It is nice to see these different representations used in books - Normalising being 'differen't and embracing this. The images used are soft with minimal harsh lines, indicating that this is a comforting story. The different orientations of the page make this book fun and engaging for the reader
July 23, 2024
JLC says it herself, this book is about the love an adopted child creates for families.
Except we (adopted people) do not exist to give you that love you desperately crave. Not to mention that adopted people grow up, and most cringe when looking back at the idea of wide-eyed hopeful adopters in the hospital room eagerly waiting to take us out of our mother’s arms.
Except we (adopted people) do not exist to give you that love you desperately crave. Not to mention that adopted people grow up, and most cringe when looking back at the idea of wide-eyed hopeful adopters in the hospital room eagerly waiting to take us out of our mother’s arms.
March 24, 2019
This book was a great addition to my classroom library! It focuses on children who were adopted, which is a theme that is often under-represented in children's literature. The images were engaging, and the story line was heart-felt.
February 19, 2023
Oh, so sweet!! What a beautiful children's book, with hilarious, gorgeous illustrations.
September 29, 2008
A young girl asks her parents to tell the story of her birth which is obviously much-loved and much-requested but ends up telling the story herself. It starts with the telephone call to the adoptive parents, their plane ride, the hospital and their first night together as a family changing diapers, watching baseball and singing lullabies and ends with them being a loving family. Each page gives fun specific details such as “dad was snoring” or “you carried me like a china doll.”
The witty and loving text is matched perfectly with the whimsical illustrations. The text is straightforward about adoption but not overwhelming or didactic. This book highlights the need children, especially children who have been adopted, have to hear their birth stories with as many details as possible. Many children have heard their adoption story but not their birth story. The book is reassuring and normalizing but also acknowledges some negative feelings. I love there is an illustration of the little girl’s family tree including mostly the adoptive family but also some of the birth family. This could be reassuring to a child who has been adopted since creating a family tree is commonly stressful and anxiety-provoking. And show way to integrate the two families and history.
There is an acknowledgement of the birth parents but not very much information or history given. Also there were not any feelings, positive or negative, expressed associated with the birth parents. Potentially this might give the impression that the adoptive parents or child shouldn’t have any feelings or thoughts about their birth parents, which would be more atypical of an adoptive family’s experience. The book being concise is positive mostly but here an aware parent may want to discuss a little further about their adopted child's personal history, birth parents and feelings. There does seem to be a little stereotyping in the roles of dad and mom (Dad teaches about baseball, albeit to a baby girl and Mom is caring for the baby in the illustrations and singing the lullabies).
This is a good book to use with lifebooks. It was written by actress Jamie Lee Curtis who has adopted two children and although I am a little leery of celebrity books...I love this one and is another top personal favorite. Aurora loves it too already (probably because of the illustrations) and we read it often.
The witty and loving text is matched perfectly with the whimsical illustrations. The text is straightforward about adoption but not overwhelming or didactic. This book highlights the need children, especially children who have been adopted, have to hear their birth stories with as many details as possible. Many children have heard their adoption story but not their birth story. The book is reassuring and normalizing but also acknowledges some negative feelings. I love there is an illustration of the little girl’s family tree including mostly the adoptive family but also some of the birth family. This could be reassuring to a child who has been adopted since creating a family tree is commonly stressful and anxiety-provoking. And show way to integrate the two families and history.
There is an acknowledgement of the birth parents but not very much information or history given. Also there were not any feelings, positive or negative, expressed associated with the birth parents. Potentially this might give the impression that the adoptive parents or child shouldn’t have any feelings or thoughts about their birth parents, which would be more atypical of an adoptive family’s experience. The book being concise is positive mostly but here an aware parent may want to discuss a little further about their adopted child's personal history, birth parents and feelings. There does seem to be a little stereotyping in the roles of dad and mom (Dad teaches about baseball, albeit to a baby girl and Mom is caring for the baby in the illustrations and singing the lullabies).
This is a good book to use with lifebooks. It was written by actress Jamie Lee Curtis who has adopted two children and although I am a little leery of celebrity books...I love this one and is another top personal favorite. Aurora loves it too already (probably because of the illustrations) and we read it often.
September 5, 2022
A little girl asks her parents about the night she was adopted. She then narrates the story from her parents point of view. From the phone call in the middle of the night to the first time they hold their baby, the parents recall even the little details of the flight without a movie, the smells of the hospital, and the first time they see their new baby in the hospital nursery window. The narration also includes the first night as parents. This book is important to kids like me who are adopted because it also explains the reason why the child was adopted (her mom was unable to have her own kids but still wanted to have a family). It gives adopted kids a sense of belonging and that other families are out there with adopted kids too and that doesn’t mean they’re anything less than any other family.
March 21, 2017
This is a fictional book. To be honest i did not enjoy this book that much. After awhile i lost interest in it.The story and characters are realistic but some of the terms used can infuse students. The message this book was trying to tell was great but i think it would have been better if the plot was thick or maybe the girl had a problem and later found a resolution. I think i would have gave this book another star if the illustrations were better. Many of the pictures looked half drawn and were not very detailed at all. I think they do match the words but it is also hard to tell because of the way it was illustrated. I think the students would loose interest in the pictures after the first few pages. There was no cultural aspect in this book and i wonder why. when adopting a child they may be from a different cultural group from you and i think her background should have been said. Even though she is their child now you should have talked about how you celebrated her cultural difference so she wont find herself forgetting who she is. I also did not like how the book said that her birth mom was to young to have a kid. This makes it seem that if your adopted than your mom was too young to take care of you and that is not the case. I think adoption is a wonderful thing and instead of saying her mom was young just say that some families can not have kids so people give them the gifts of kids. Overall i just thought this good could have been better.
March 26, 2009
Taken separately, I would give the text 4 stars and the illustrations 2 stars. The story is pretty sweet and straightforward - the "voice" of the book is a child who had obviously been adopted, reminiscing with her parents about the stories they've told her about the night she was born. The voice didn't sound much like a child, though, which was distracted me a little.
Not remotely as distracting as the illustrations, however. I am firmly convinced that they were put in to keep the parent who is reading the book entertained, rather than the child. They were certainly colorful, but not very well drawn. Also, there were "jokes" thrown in all over the place (a book with the title "Slim Thighs in 30 Days!" appears on a regular basis; when mom sings a lullaby the baby is looking at her with an "I can't stand this" expression on her face, etc.), which kept me rolling my eyes rather than smiling.
My overall recommendation: go ahead and read it, if the topic is relevant to your family... but, borrow it from the library.
Not remotely as distracting as the illustrations, however. I am firmly convinced that they were put in to keep the parent who is reading the book entertained, rather than the child. They were certainly colorful, but not very well drawn. Also, there were "jokes" thrown in all over the place (a book with the title "Slim Thighs in 30 Days!" appears on a regular basis; when mom sings a lullaby the baby is looking at her with an "I can't stand this" expression on her face, etc.), which kept me rolling my eyes rather than smiling.
My overall recommendation: go ahead and read it, if the topic is relevant to your family... but, borrow it from the library.
July 8, 2010
A precocious adopted little girl wants her parents to tell her the story about the night she was born, but she is so excited to hear it that she tells the entire story herself. The story tells of the adoption from the moment the baby was born and shows the parents rushing to the airport and flying to see their new baby girl. It also tells about how the daddy taught her about baseball and the mommy sang her a lullaby and they spent their first night together as a family.
The illustrations are watercolor and black line and show a whole other world from the text. They are filled with details and people never mentioned in the story; observant readers will love the quirky additions. My two favorite spreads are the two-page vertical of an actual size baby and the two-page family tree that incorporates the little girls birth parents and adopted parents.
A good companion read with God Found us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren
The illustrations are watercolor and black line and show a whole other world from the text. They are filled with details and people never mentioned in the story; observant readers will love the quirky additions. My two favorite spreads are the two-page vertical of an actual size baby and the two-page family tree that incorporates the little girls birth parents and adopted parents.
A good companion read with God Found us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren
January 26, 2025
This was one of the picture books read to me as a child. I have been thinking about it a lot as of late.
Recently, I returned home for the first time in two years. I found the copy that was read to me on one of the bookshelves in my childhood bedroom. I read it again and wept.
Growing up, this book was a seminal part of my understanding of my own family. It illustrates a beautiful account of a little girl’s adoption story. I am forever grateful for the books existence and my parent's persistence to expose me to other stories of adoption along with my own.
Rereading it makes me want to hug my parents forever.
Since the version I have is in Spanish and I was a child, I didn’t realise it was written my Jamie Lee Curtis until now!!
Recently, I returned home for the first time in two years. I found the copy that was read to me on one of the bookshelves in my childhood bedroom. I read it again and wept.
Growing up, this book was a seminal part of my understanding of my own family. It illustrates a beautiful account of a little girl’s adoption story. I am forever grateful for the books existence and my parent's persistence to expose me to other stories of adoption along with my own.
Rereading it makes me want to hug my parents forever.
Since the version I have is in Spanish and I was a child, I didn’t realise it was written my Jamie Lee Curtis until now!!
November 25, 2020
Part of my homework for our adoption process, but I love it anyway. First off, yes there is major feels because it will be like our situation. But there were some very sweet drawings, with some fun humor thrown in for the adult reading to the child. I know whenever we welcome our future child in our life, this will be a well loved book to read to them.
March 15, 2013
We read this tonight before bed and I loved it. It made me weepy. hahahaha. But I tell my girls all the time about the night they were born and how much we wanted them in our lives. I really liked the story.
June 14, 2007
A lovely story book for small children about adoption. Great pictures of tired parents and a house strewn with baby bottles.
April 18, 2018
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a children's picture book written by Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrated by Laura Cornell is an adoption story, where a little girl asks her parents about the night she was born again.
Curtis' text is simplistic and extremely adorable. I like the fact that this is a story that was told so often that the child practically memorized the story. It’s like their child’s adoption isn't a big secret that should stay that way. Cornell's illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and reminiscent of watercolor paintings. It gives a rather wistful and lovely atmosphere of the story.
The premise of the book is simply adorable and precious. A young girl asks her parents about the night she was born, but before they can answer, she continues to ask more questions about the story. Tell me about this and then tell me about that, and so on until she related the entire story on her own. Yet in the end, she still insists that her parents tell her about the night she was born.
All in all, Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a wonderful adorable children's book about adoption and about the story of the night that a child was born, given up, and found a forever home.
Curtis' text is simplistic and extremely adorable. I like the fact that this is a story that was told so often that the child practically memorized the story. It’s like their child’s adoption isn't a big secret that should stay that way. Cornell's illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and reminiscent of watercolor paintings. It gives a rather wistful and lovely atmosphere of the story.
The premise of the book is simply adorable and precious. A young girl asks her parents about the night she was born, but before they can answer, she continues to ask more questions about the story. Tell me about this and then tell me about that, and so on until she related the entire story on her own. Yet in the end, she still insists that her parents tell her about the night she was born.
All in all, Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a wonderful adorable children's book about adoption and about the story of the night that a child was born, given up, and found a forever home.
November 21, 2019
Today was a special day for one of my students. It was her adoption day. She asked if she could bring in our book for today. I had assumed I would read it to the class but she really wanted to read it, and I’m so glad she did. I probably would have gotten a little teary over it all. LOL I got to know someone after she came to my town when I was growing up. She had come there to have a baby and have her be adopted. It was quite a learning experience for me. It was something I will never forget.
She explained that it was a special day for her and talked about how this book was a little different than her situation but it was about being adopted and she really loved the book. The kids were glued to the story and the conversation flowed beautifully. I was so impressed with how comfortable she was sharing her story and how the kids receive it so easily without many questions.
After, I asked the class if they had asked their parents about the day they were born and many had not and so I encouraged them to go home and do that. I was really grateful that this student could share her experience and have it overflow into an opportunity for a great discussion at home for everyone else.
She explained that it was a special day for her and talked about how this book was a little different than her situation but it was about being adopted and she really loved the book. The kids were glued to the story and the conversation flowed beautifully. I was so impressed with how comfortable she was sharing her story and how the kids receive it so easily without many questions.
After, I asked the class if they had asked their parents about the day they were born and many had not and so I encouraged them to go home and do that. I was really grateful that this student could share her experience and have it overflow into an opportunity for a great discussion at home for everyone else.
September 21, 2023
“Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born” by Jamie Lee Curtis is a beautiful story about life, love, and happiness. The main character asks her parents to tell her about the night she was born. Right off the bat, we, as the reader, know this is a story she knows all too well. Her parents received a call in the middle of the night about her birth. They flew on a plane to pick up their new baby from the young woman who gave birth to her. They adopted the child after having no luck in having a baby of their own. The main character is very apparently in love with her family and is tickled by the idea of her parents being so happy to adopt her.
This book reflects on very real-life situations. Typically, children’s books are filled with nonsense and silly words in order to make a child feel happy and fun when reading or listening. This book does a wonderful job discussing real-life situations while also being fun and entertaining to children. The book discusses the harsh reality of young pregnancy and the lack of pregnancy. In this case, the main character was very lucky to be adopted by a family who wanted her so incredibly much. I believe this is a common occurrence in adoption, and it shows children that adoption is a beautiful and joyous thing.
This book reflects on very real-life situations. Typically, children’s books are filled with nonsense and silly words in order to make a child feel happy and fun when reading or listening. This book does a wonderful job discussing real-life situations while also being fun and entertaining to children. The book discusses the harsh reality of young pregnancy and the lack of pregnancy. In this case, the main character was very lucky to be adopted by a family who wanted her so incredibly much. I believe this is a common occurrence in adoption, and it shows children that adoption is a beautiful and joyous thing.
October 27, 2017
Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born is a realistic fiction, funny, yet heart warming book for both parents and child. This book is a celebration for the love and joy that a child, whether adopted or not, creates for a family. The story is about an adopted little girl who wants her parents to tell the story about the night she was born, but she is so excited to hear it that she tells the story herself. The illustrations used were very colorful, with some fun humor thrown in to keep adults entertained as well. But overall the illustrations added just the right amount of detail needed for the story. However, I believe this book should be read to older students because some of the illustrations become confusing if not paying attention. I would certainly provide this book for parents to use if they need help explaining if their child was adopted. I love that it sheds light on an issue that can be a hard topic to talk about. However, there were no cultural aspects to the picture. When adopting a child, one may assume that they are from a different cultural background. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
October 3, 2018
1. The book is about a little girl who is adopted at birth by a couple who could not have children of their own. The book begins with the little girl asking to know about the night she was born. As the story continues the little girl continues to ask questions about the days and nights to come afterward and about her first time experiences, such as her first bottle and diaper change. As the book comes to an end the last request the little girl has is to hear about the night she was born again.
2. A theme in this book is adoption.
3. I like this book because not all children live with their biological parents and shows the positivity of being adopted by showing the sweet moments of the parents of the child.
4. I would recommend this book because it shows children that not all moms and dads with kids have biological children and that its okay that some children will look completely different from their moms and dads because of it. I would also recommend it because for children who have been adopted it shows that they aren't alone and that they are loved by their parents regardless if they are biological.
2. A theme in this book is adoption.
3. I like this book because not all children live with their biological parents and shows the positivity of being adopted by showing the sweet moments of the parents of the child.
4. I would recommend this book because it shows children that not all moms and dads with kids have biological children and that its okay that some children will look completely different from their moms and dads because of it. I would also recommend it because for children who have been adopted it shows that they aren't alone and that they are loved by their parents regardless if they are biological.
May 6, 2022
I'm pretty sure I grimaced my way through this entire book.
I find the illustrations off-putting: messy, ugly, jarring. I don't like the color choices, the lines, most of the details. I don't know why the dog is standing on the bed looking like he's sprinkling dead flies over what I assume must be a leash handle. I don't get why the sleeping grandparents have a container on their windowsill that says "23 AGAIN" on it. I hate the chaotic airplane passengers, the messy family tree, the kid sticking out her tongue at the row of newborn babies, and the stupid captions on the "actual size" baby. I hate the tuft of hair on protagonist baby's head.
The text is annoyingly repetitive, every page starting with "tell me again..." and then mentioning some detail from baby's first days of life. I know what the author was going for, but everything in the narrative feels overly specific to what I assume is her own child/family. I feel like this book was written as a personal gift for Jamie Lee Curtis' daughter, rather than for publication. I feel like if Curtis weren't famous, this book never would have made it onto the market.
I find the illustrations off-putting: messy, ugly, jarring. I don't like the color choices, the lines, most of the details. I don't know why the dog is standing on the bed looking like he's sprinkling dead flies over what I assume must be a leash handle. I don't get why the sleeping grandparents have a container on their windowsill that says "23 AGAIN" on it. I hate the chaotic airplane passengers, the messy family tree, the kid sticking out her tongue at the row of newborn babies, and the stupid captions on the "actual size" baby. I hate the tuft of hair on protagonist baby's head.
The text is annoyingly repetitive, every page starting with "tell me again..." and then mentioning some detail from baby's first days of life. I know what the author was going for, but everything in the narrative feels overly specific to what I assume is her own child/family. I feel like this book was written as a personal gift for Jamie Lee Curtis' daughter, rather than for publication. I feel like if Curtis weren't famous, this book never would have made it onto the market.
October 9, 2017
Awards: None
Grade Level: Preschool through Third Grade
Original Summary: The little girl in this story asks her parents to tell her about the tale of when they adopted her as a baby. She asks them to tell her about their feelings, and about the things they went through to go get her, and bring her back home. She is interested to know exactly how the adoption took place and what happened when they returned home with her.
Original Review: I think that this book is so cute and informative to children about the adoption process! It allows children to learn about adoption in a positive and fun way. The child genuinely is excited about hearing of how she was adopted, and I think that a lot of children who are adopted can read this book, and feel better about being adopted.
In Class Uses: (1) The children can do a writing/story assignment after reading this book and talk about memories with their families. (2) The children could write a poem about their families. (3) Children could bring in pictures of their families to share with the class.
Grade Level: Preschool through Third Grade
Original Summary: The little girl in this story asks her parents to tell her about the tale of when they adopted her as a baby. She asks them to tell her about their feelings, and about the things they went through to go get her, and bring her back home. She is interested to know exactly how the adoption took place and what happened when they returned home with her.
Original Review: I think that this book is so cute and informative to children about the adoption process! It allows children to learn about adoption in a positive and fun way. The child genuinely is excited about hearing of how she was adopted, and I think that a lot of children who are adopted can read this book, and feel better about being adopted.
In Class Uses: (1) The children can do a writing/story assignment after reading this book and talk about memories with their families. (2) The children could write a poem about their families. (3) Children could bring in pictures of their families to share with the class.
July 11, 2018
2. The book Tell Me Again the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis was published in 2000 and was a New York Times bestselling. This book would be more for 4th and 5th graders because I feel as though its an age where children understand more clearly about different types of families. This book is about a little girl who asked her adopted parents on their experience on the night she was born. They tell her all about what happened during the plane ride, hospital, people they saw and their experience on taking her home for the first time. I rated this a 5 star because this book is so great to children who are adopted and is curious about their story between them and the adopted parents. This book is filled with colors and such detail illustration on every page. It gives the reader excitement and loving feeling about families. Children who are adopted definitely would appeal to this book more than children who are not, but even if you are not adopted, this book has a lot of creativity and humor to it.
November 21, 2017
SUMMARY: “Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born” is about a young girl who was adopted. This story depicts the journey that a couple went on to receive their new baby by flying to the city where the birth mom gave birth and the challenges they faced just to meet their new baby. Since the little girl does not have a typical birth story, she likes for her parents to tell the story over and over again.
THEME: The theme of the story is family and life stories.
PERSONAL RESPONSE/RECOMMENDATION: I loved this story as a child because I related to the main character by constantly asking what happened on the night I was born. Although I was not adopted, I always was curious to hear the story over and over again. I would recommend this story to 4-8 year olds and especially to those who went through the adoption process whether they were adopted at birth or later on in life. Everyone has their beginning story and this book perfectly describes the differences in families.
THEME: The theme of the story is family and life stories.
PERSONAL RESPONSE/RECOMMENDATION: I loved this story as a child because I related to the main character by constantly asking what happened on the night I was born. Although I was not adopted, I always was curious to hear the story over and over again. I would recommend this story to 4-8 year olds and especially to those who went through the adoption process whether they were adopted at birth or later on in life. Everyone has their beginning story and this book perfectly describes the differences in families.
November 20, 2019
This story is about a little girl who asks her parents to tell her about the night she was born. This story is a little different from others as it touches on the subject of adoption. The little girl in the story was adopted by her parents, because her birth mother was too young to care for her and her adoptive parent’s couldn’t have children of their own. The book talks about how the parents went on an airplane to get her, and they became a family, singing lullaby’s and watching baseball together. This book is a great example of a realistic fiction. It is a story rooted in the reality of adoption, which is a struggle or life event that a lot of people have in their lives. The story is realistic and believeable. It could be more diverse, but what it lacks in cultural diversity it makes up for in addressing issues not really approached in children’s books. It would be great to include in the classroom when talking about the different and many ways in which people can have a family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews