Children’s Book Review: Wonderful You: An Adoption Story By Lauren McLaughlin

WONDERFUL YOU
An Adoption Story

By: Lauren McLaughlin

Illustrated by: Meilo So

Published: April 25, 2017

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Fiction

I know so many wonderful families who have adopted children. Whether they were adopted from a foreign country, from here in the US, as older children or as babies, or after fostering them, every adoption story is different. But, the common theme in all of these stories is that these children were wanted, hoped for, prayed for, and loved.

There are so many books on children’s birth and joining the family, but it is harder to find books for children to hear their adoption story. McLaughlin uses lyrical phrases and rhymes to tell a story of adopting a baby with a hint of magic.

The major theme in this story that is critical is that the birth mom desperately wanted to find the perfect parents for her baby. (In this story it is a girl, but parents could easily change the word to boy or child to fit their situation,) She searched all over and wanted to be sure the parents she chose would “love her every morning and night. And all time between, whether rainy or bright.” Once the birth mom found the perfect parents, she beautifully hands her over and flies away on a dove. Then the stories show the baby growing up in a loving home sharing memories together. 

One of my favorite pages in the book

The illustrations are watercolor-like and give a warm tone to the story. The parents often appear to be floating on air, which to me shows the sheer joy they have over raising their daughter. When you are truly happy, you feel like you are floating on air. This would make such a wonderful gift for a family preparing for adoption. It is a book to be cherished and shared with their child again and again.

Lauren McLaughlin – source

Lauren McLaughlin grew up in the small town of Wenham, Massachusetts. After college and a brief flirtation with anthropology, she spent ten years in the film business as both a screenwriter and producer before turning her attention to novels. McLaughlin is the author of teen novels, as well as a children’s picture book series. An adoptive mother herself, author Lauren McLaughlin was glad for an opportunity to memorialize her family’s own fairy tale. For more, visit her website, HERE. 

Meilo So has illustrated many children’s books. She was born in Hong Kong and lives in the Shetland Islands with her husband and daughter. To see her books, click HERE. 
To purchase a copy of WONDERFUL YOU, click the photo below:

I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama’s regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children’s and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.