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We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families Hardcover – Picture Book, November 1, 2007
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We Belong Together is about sharing your home and sharing your heart to make a family that belongs together. With an understanding of how personal and unique each adoption is, and that not everyone comes to it in the same way, Todd Parr's colorful art explores the meaning of family.
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 1
- Dimensions10.25 x 0.38 x 10.38 inches
- PublisherLittle, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateNovember 1, 2007
- ISBN-100316016683
- ISBN-13978-0316016681
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Todd Parr has inspired millions of children with his bold images and positive messages. He is the author of more than sixty books.
From the Publisher
The Family Book | The Mommy Book | The Daddy Book | The Grandma Book | The Grandpa Book | The Brother Book | |
Customer Reviews |
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Price | $15.90$15.90 | $7.43$7.43 | $7.43$7.43 | $12.85$12.85 | $23.40$23.40 | $9.59$9.59 |
Enjoy more of bestselling author Todd Parr's signature color and charm! | Families come in all shapes and sizes and each family is special in its own unique way. | There are so many different types of mommies and they are all lots of fun and filled with love. | Celebrating all different kinds of dads and highlighting the many reasons they are so special. | From offering advice and babysitting to making things and giving lots of kisses, grandmas are the best! | From putting extra marshmallows in hot chocolate to sending cards and telling stories, grandpas are awesome! | A sibling celebration, perfect for brothers of all ages, and children expecting a new sibling! |
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (November 1, 2007)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0316016683
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316016681
- Reading age : 2 - 5 years, from customers
- Grade level : Preschool - 1
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 10.25 x 0.38 x 10.38 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #184,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #57 in Children's Books on Adoption
- #596 in Children's Parents Books
- #2,081 in Children's Beginner Readers
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Todd Parr is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of more than 50 books for children, including The Thankful Book, The Earth Book and The I LOVE YOU Book, as well as The Kindness Book and the recently released The Spring Book and The Activity Book, all from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. He has inspired and empowered children around the world with simple, hopeful and powerful messages such as “be kind”, “love yourself” and “be who you are” all set with vibrant images utilizing eye-catching primary colors. His books have received numerous awards and are available in nearly 20 languages. He also is the co-creator of the popular three-time Daytime Emmy©- nominated animated TV series, ToddWorld with Gerry Renert of SupperTime Entertainment. Several short films for Sesame Street have been based on Todd’s work.
A flight attendant before becoming a full-time author/illustrator, Todd’s first book, The Okay Book, was published in 1999. Todd devotes time to numerous philanthropic causes supporting pet adoption, children’s hunger, health, and literacy. He is a frequent reader and fund-raiser for The Ronald McDonald House, and he also currently serves on the board of directors for the Virginia Children’s Book Festival. Todd’s corporate collaborations include Best Buy, Stouffer’s, and the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, among others.
The Wyoming native lives in Berkeley, CA, with his three adopted pit bulls and enjoys cooking. He is often whipping up macaroni & cheese, tacos, and grilled cheese recipes, which he regularly shares with fans. For more information on Todd visit his website, Facebook, or Instagram.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book relatable and helpful for families with children. They appreciate the simple language and basic message that kids can understand. The colorful illustrations draw kids in and are inclusive. Overall, customers describe the book as a sweet, quick read that puts smiles on their faces.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's adoption theme. They find it relatable for foster and adoptive families, depicting a loving relationship between parents and children. The book celebrates family coming together and makes kids feel accepted and normal.
"...I think it presents a good, simple picture of adoption. Parents have LOVE to give, children have needs that can be lovingly met, and there is a..." Read more
"This is great for blended families or families that are wanting to adopt!..." Read more
"...the really lucky bonus for the adoptive parents is that the child gives love back, something most adoptive parents weren't even looking for, and..." Read more
"...It is written to address the adopted child ("We belong together because you needed a home, and we had room to share"), but we are currently..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's simple language and colorful illustrations. They find it easy for kids to understand and provides simple answers to questions. The book is a quick read that puts smiles on children's faces.
"...Love the colorful pictures and it’s easy for kids to understand. We have kids ages 3 & 7 and they both love it!" Read more
"...It has lovely, diverse, inclusive illustrations and it is easy to change the words to suit your situation...." Read more
"...It is a sweet, quick read that puts smiles on their faces right before they are tucked in." Read more
"...As with all Todd Parr books, it uses very simple language with a very basic message, which is that our family belongs together." Read more
Customers find the book's message simple and helpful. It presents a good, simple picture of adoption and is applicable to many situations.
"...I think it presents a good, simple picture of adoption...." Read more
"...As with all Todd Parr books, it uses very simple language with a very basic message, which is that our family belongs together." Read more
"...colors are nice, but less about adoption than I thought and story is pretty saccharine." Read more
"...His kids books are fun, engaging and they teach simple, valuable lessons. We use them at home and in our work! THANK YOU for this one especially!..." Read more
Customers enjoy the colorful illustrations in the book. They find the pictures easy for kids to understand and inclusive, with diverse and varied colors and sizes. The simple graphics are easy for them to read along with their children.
"...Love the colorful pictures and it’s easy for kids to understand. We have kids ages 3 & 7 and they both love it!" Read more
"...It has lovely, diverse, inclusive illustrations and it is easy to change the words to suit your situation...." Read more
"...Every type of family. All you need is love to make a family. I loved the colors and it made me smile...." Read more
"Bright colors are nice, but less about adoption than I thought and story is pretty saccharine." Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They find it a sweet and heartwarming read that leaves them smiling.
"...All the parents have big smiles as they are shown doing things with their child which is one simple way this book shows that parents are very..." Read more
"...It is a sweet, quick read that puts smiles on their faces right before they are tucked in." Read more
"...All you need is love to make a family. I loved the colors and it made me smile. I know it will make any little adopted child smile as well...." Read more
"heartwarming" Read more
Reviews with images
Love the illustrations and how relatable it is!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2011It's unfortunate to hear harsh criticisms for a great book. Thanks, Todd Parr, for another delightful book!!!
I don't think the book paints a victim-savior picture at all. I think it presents a good, simple picture of adoption. Parents have LOVE to give, children have needs that can be lovingly met, and there is a reciprocal relationship between parents and their children where both are very blessed!!! The words and illustrations in this book give a great picture of that reciprocal relationship. All the parents have big smiles as they are shown doing things with their child which is one simple way this book shows that parents are very blessed by their children!
A child is an immense blessing to his/her parents and there is a beautiful, reciprocal relationship. I personally think that We Belong Together does a good job of showing this. "We belong together because... you needed a home, and I had one to share. Now we are a family!" (accompanied by a picture of a family playing together and having fun together and obviously the parents have joy from being with their children!)
We personally are adopting rather than having more biological children because:
A) We do have desires for a bigger family and take delight in being parents.
B) Because there is a dire NEED in this world for MILLIONS of children around the world to have a family.
It is a FACT that children have needs and that by design, a permanent family is what meets those needs. ALL children are needy! No child can provide for themselves nor have their needs FULLY met without a permanent, healthy family.
I DO feel that children without families are in fact victims as well--innocent victims of unfortunate circumstances in this harsh world that led them to be separated from their biological family and now are in need of a permanent family. Definition of a victim: "One who is harmed by or made to suffer from an act, circumstance, agency, or condition." Acknowledging that children will suffer without a family does NOT mean that we see ourselves as rescuers or saviors or people doing a really awesome good deed. Acknowledging that should drive the world to compassion and sacrifice and generosity. . . and if parents are building their family, it's OKAY to let that be part of their decision of whether to pursue adoption or bring more children into the world biologically. Otherwise, there would be a LOT of families NOT adopting if somehow these kids would be OK on their own.
I do NOT feel that acknowledging that CHILDREN HAVE NEEDS and that adoption does indeed meet their needs, means that adoptive parents think they are saviors or that children should feel grateful to them. Any parent (with bio or adopted children) who feels that their children are there to meet their own needs, or feel that the child needs to be grateful to them has obviously got it wrong. I personally have never come across any adoptive parent who sees adoption that way (I'm sure there are some out there, but surely a very very slim minority), so I don't know why there is such a fuss about acknowledging that children have REAL NEEDS. People have a heart to meet that need--what's wrong with admitting that?
After all, adoption is a mean to provide a FAMILY for a child, NOT to provide a child for a family. If we ever put OUR needs above the needs of a child, we're treading in dangerous waters. Of course that child is a tremendous blessing to the parents and there is much fulfillment and joy in being a parent and it's natural to desire to be a parent, but parents can never put any expectation on a child to meet some sort of "need" of the adult.
I don't think this book says to a child--"You're so needy and look what we did for you!" like some of these comments are saying. Instead, it just presents simple facts of life which are true about ANY child (bio, adopted, without a family, or in a family). Any child needs a home, someone to help them grow, someone to kiss boo-boos, to be read to, and to say I LOVE YOU.
I also want to address the complaints of some of these comments, that it leaves out the birth parents, or leaves out such-and-such. Uhhh...it's a short children's book. There is no way a simple children's picture book is able to address all the ins and outs of adoption. There are many ways through a child's life to talk about birth parents, grief and loss, why some families have 1 parents and some have 2, and some have 2 moms or 2 dads, and other hard topics. I think it's unfair and unreasonable to expect a short children's book to address all of those issues!
This book could definitely provide opportunities for further discussions with your child, though. A child might ask, "Why couldn't my first mom help me 'grow healthy and strong?'" (words from the book) Or, "Why does that girl have two moms?" (also in the book, although if you are not comfortable talking about same-gender parents yet with a very young child, you could easily suggest that maybe that's a single mom and her sister or the grandma.
There is also a page that looks like there are two dads, although one of the parents looks like it *could* be either female or male. It took me a long time to notice that it is likely two males. Again, if there are family structures you don't agree with or want to wait to talk about with your child when they're older, you can make adjustments yourself (even take a sharpie and draw a bow in the one's hair if you want!). All of us parents will have to talk at some point with our children about differences in families, whether or not someone agrees with all those differences. You wouldn't have to avoid this book or be forced into any discussions prematurely. . . it leaves room for tweaking it on your own, in my opinion.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024The media could not be loaded.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the illustrations and how relatable it is!This is great for blended families or families that are wanting to adopt! Love the colorful pictures and it’s easy for kids to understand. We have kids ages 3 & 7 and they both love it!
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2012Gosh, people just don't seem to "get" this book. When Todd writes "You needed a home, and I had one to share" the implication, for me, is that I NEEDED to share my home. And I did. That's exactly why I adopted. My home sucked without my child; now it is a wonderful place.
I think this very much is about what both parties get from adoption, and I love sharing this book with my daughter.
And, as an advocate for adoption, I think this book is wonderful too. It very much feeds into the adoptive parent impetus for adoption, which, in most cases, is a selfish need. "I need a child. I need to share my home, my love, my kisses." Thank goodness for those selfish parental needs, because if we waited for people to adopt because God called them to, or because they wanted to save a child, precious few children would ever get adopted, and that is a very very unhappy story.
To be a really wonderful, as-good-as-biological-or-better-parent you have to adopt because you have something you HAVE TO share: your love, your kisses, your desire to kiss boo-boos, your desire to make someone a healthy meal. It's all here in this book. AND, the truth is, the child DOES need all those things, and there's no point in hiding it from your child. The child would have gone without ALL of those things had you not adopted him or her. BOTH the parent who adopts and the child who is adopted have GREAT HUGE OVERWHELMING needs: the child is waiting to see if someone will care and give, and the parent is searching and searching for someone to give to. And then, the really lucky bonus for the adoptive parents is that the child gives love back, something most adoptive parents weren't even looking for, and what a wonderful circle that all becomes. Daddy and Baby and me are in a big pile of love on the bed every time we read this book.
I think Todd has it perfectly.
Thanks Todd. Love it!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017We love this book! We have three kids, two by birth, and we are preparing to bring home two more through adoption from foster care. We bought this book for our current and future kids and we love it! It has lovely, diverse, inclusive illustrations and it is easy to change the words to suit your situation. It is written to address the adopted child ("We belong together because you needed a home, and we had room to share"), but we are currently reading it to our kids and changing the words the talk about the adopted kids that will come home soon ("We belong together because your new brother and sister needed a home, and we have room to share."). I'm sure that this book will be a treasured family story for years to come.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024My daughter is adopted and absolutely loves this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars My young foster-to-adopt boys love this book and repeat parts while I read it ...
My young foster-to-adopt boys love this book and repeat parts while I read it to them before bed. It is a sweet, quick read that puts smiles on their faces right before they are tucked in.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2014I have yet to find a Todd Parr book that I don't love. As a family brought together by adoption, this one is a new favorite in our house.
ETA: I know a lot of the negative reviews feel that the child is portrayed as a victim needing rescuing. I really didn't see it that way at all and I've been a social worker in the adoption field even before I was an adoptive parent. As with all Todd Parr books, it uses very simple language with a very basic message, which is that our family belongs together.
Top reviews from other countries
- Andrea CliffordReviewed in Canada on July 3, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Inclusive
Bought it for my foster nephew when he was going to his forever home. It made me, my sister, and his new mums cry. The colour scheme made it inclusive as no particular race is represented.
- AhalyaReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars The best adoption book for toddlers
My 2 year old adopted child loves this book. I am not sure how much they understand yet but it's a great book to introduce the complex subject. It's my (and my child's) most favourite book. It's very very well written for younger children and by far the best book on the topic.
- Fabulous MReviewed in Canada on July 23, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
My son really loves this book and so do I!!!
- ValReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2012
5.0 out of 5 stars A book for children who've been adopted
This is a lovely book explaining adoption in child friendly language, giving benefits for children and adoptive parents alike. The illustrations are simple and bright, showing boys and girls, mums and dads, Ideal for reading with a child for pre-schoolers and as a starting point for discussion with slightly older children. Created by an American but it travelled well, and it really gets to the heart of the matter without being sentimental. I'd recommend it.
- BecksReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Blended families, adoption. Its a great book
A wonderful book to help young kids to understand adoption, blended families has been really helpful dealing with life story work with our adopted child