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THE MULBERRY BIRD Story of an Adoption
In the face of insurmountable problems, a young bird mother finds the strength to make an adoption plan for her much loved baby, giving him a stable home and two loving parents.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 7, 2015
Adoption is messy and complicated, but "The Mulberry Bird" tells the story of a little bird's adoption with simplicity. Refusing to ignore the grief and loss of birth mom and baby, the clear language helps to introduce difficult themes in concise ways with the goal of opening discussion between adoptees and those who love them.
The paragraph format adds a bit of length, but the line drawings provide a visual balance for younger children. The father bird is missing entirely. While his absence is noted, we are never given his story of why he wasn't around. I agree that adoption literature needs to wrestle with paternity, but I found the lack of explanation to be a helpful segue into discussing "the unknowns" of a child's story.
Mother bird is presented as a loving provider who found herself overwhelmed and regretfully let her baby go so baby could live. We are told that Owl, who represents adoption agencies, is wise and kind. The adoptive family is joyful at the baby bird's arrival, empathetic about his early loss, and loving toward him. Their story is gracefully, and unflinchingly, told, but what stands out to me the most is the pacing. The story unfolds so quietly, so beautifully.
Good adoption books are hard to find, but I think this one would be helpful to all: international, domestic, foster, infant, older child, etc. Highly recommended.
The paragraph format adds a bit of length, but the line drawings provide a visual balance for younger children. The father bird is missing entirely. While his absence is noted, we are never given his story of why he wasn't around. I agree that adoption literature needs to wrestle with paternity, but I found the lack of explanation to be a helpful segue into discussing "the unknowns" of a child's story.
Mother bird is presented as a loving provider who found herself overwhelmed and regretfully let her baby go so baby could live. We are told that Owl, who represents adoption agencies, is wise and kind. The adoptive family is joyful at the baby bird's arrival, empathetic about his early loss, and loving toward him. Their story is gracefully, and unflinchingly, told, but what stands out to me the most is the pacing. The story unfolds so quietly, so beautifully.
Good adoption books are hard to find, but I think this one would be helpful to all: international, domestic, foster, infant, older child, etc. Highly recommended.
January 4, 2021
A good story that puts into perspective adoption from a birth mother's perspective. It is ONE birth/adoption story only. As we adoptive families know, there is no single adoption narrative for our kids. In this story the mother is potrayed as single and without a partner (a bit of a stereotype to be sure). She struggles to make a go of parenting on her own, but to do it all, she risks the safety of her little one. It entirely leaves out the birth father so may not be a good representation for some families. For others, it may be point on. It also implies that the little bird will need a couple to parent him (which may not fit with some family stories)
Still, it's ONE way to introduce the idea of what adoption may look like, and importantly, how the birth mother does struggle with her decision but places her little one out of love. The target age, I'd say, is 3-8 y.o.
Still, it's ONE way to introduce the idea of what adoption may look like, and importantly, how the birth mother does struggle with her decision but places her little one out of love. The target age, I'd say, is 3-8 y.o.
May 5, 2021
Geared toward more of toddler age who is starting to ask more questions about being adopted, but still needing a narrative story to put it into context. I nice story that address many of the different stages of emotions. As an adult, I can tell it was written by someone with a Ph.D., a child will find solace in the similarities to them.
April 4, 2013
I recieved this book for free from Goods reads and it is Such a lovely story, completely moving and has amazing illustrations. Truly reccomend
July 20, 2022
It wasn't the the fact of a mulberry bird that had me checking out this book but instead the fact that it was suppose to be about adoption. As a result I wanted to see how that particular story would be presented to the reader, especially as I found it in the young adults section for juveniles.
The Mulberry Bird approaches the subject of adoption with a straightforwardness that is refreshing and considerate even though it can only provide readers with one course that may lead to surrendering your child. As such Anne provides the reader with the story of a young single parent who is excited to be on this journey to parenthood and who tries with all her might to be able to do well by her little one when he arrives. Unfortunately the Mulberry Bird is alone in her endeavors with no mention of where or what may have happened to the other parent while like many of us ends up facing a year of bad luck that just doesn't seem to end. In the end she has to do what she considers is right for her son even though it doesn't feel right to her.
There were included illustrations in this book that were bright and colorful but the characters were a bit zany. As such the Mulberry Bird in one photo looks to have really long unwieldy legs that is everyday life wouldn't be able to support a creature and Owl seems like he has taken one too many drinks. At the same time, though, I did come across another edition while reviewing this book in which the Mulberry Bird is shown as an American Goldfinch while the illustrations in that telling seem very realistic.
I would have to say that I would definitely recommend this book to readers who are adopting children into their home, talking about family dynamics or have adopted children as a starter book into a discussion about adoption.
The Mulberry Bird approaches the subject of adoption with a straightforwardness that is refreshing and considerate even though it can only provide readers with one course that may lead to surrendering your child. As such Anne provides the reader with the story of a young single parent who is excited to be on this journey to parenthood and who tries with all her might to be able to do well by her little one when he arrives. Unfortunately the Mulberry Bird is alone in her endeavors with no mention of where or what may have happened to the other parent while like many of us ends up facing a year of bad luck that just doesn't seem to end. In the end she has to do what she considers is right for her son even though it doesn't feel right to her.
There were included illustrations in this book that were bright and colorful but the characters were a bit zany. As such the Mulberry Bird in one photo looks to have really long unwieldy legs that is everyday life wouldn't be able to support a creature and Owl seems like he has taken one too many drinks. At the same time, though, I did come across another edition while reviewing this book in which the Mulberry Bird is shown as an American Goldfinch while the illustrations in that telling seem very realistic.
I would have to say that I would definitely recommend this book to readers who are adopting children into their home, talking about family dynamics or have adopted children as a starter book into a discussion about adoption.
January 24, 2021
Such a sensitive approach to explaining adoption, through the story of mother and baby bird. It started conversation and built empathy about adoption, birth mothers and choices.
Pop sugar reading challenge 2021- a book set entirely outside.
Pop sugar reading challenge 2021- a book set entirely outside.
December 26, 2017
A really sweet story with real content embedded in its pages!
September 14, 2010
This book would be for older children with it's more detailed and in depth look at adoption and it's longer text blocks. The story is mostly written from the perspective of the birth mother and how she comes to decide to place her baby bird with an adoptive family. It is quite gut wrenching but that is the truth about adoption. It may be the best choice but it doesn't make it the easy choice. The last couple of pages are written from the point of view of the bird who has been adopted. It isn't quite as detailed as the birth mother's story but it does highlight some common emotions and experiences of an adoptee.
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May 15, 2019This is a special story. This beautiful story can help all families - not just adoptive ones - appreciate the love that goes into becoming a family. The focus on the birth mother's struggle is very important - particularly to our preteen who is asking questions about being "given away."
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August 7, 2015
see review on other edition. This is a duplicate entry
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews