Bringing Asha Home

by Jamel Akib (Illustrator), Uma Krishnaswami

A biracial Asian Indian American boy finds his own special way to bond with his sister while the family awaits her adoption from India.

Genres: Picture Books, Adoption, India, Family, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet adoption story features a mixed-race family with an Indian father and white mom. Their son eagerly awaits the little sister that they are adopting from India, and the book shows his affection for her and the difficulty of waiting through an international adoption process.

The illustrations are darker and more blurry-looking than I would like, but the diversity makes this adoption story especially stand out.

[Emelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarily focusing on a family's year long wait for their baby girl. Great for young children awaiting new siblings as the brother frustratingly waits and prepares for his new little sister. It's also an interracial couple, a white woman and Indian man, which is kind of rare in adoption books.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching story of an adoption from another country. Paper airplanes are a symbolic thread that runs through the story.
Very satisfying and touching read.

[Courtney Hartwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This children’s book is centered around a family who is adopting a daughter. Arun is a little boy who has always wanted a sister. Luckily, his family is adopting one from India, named Asha. The family receives pictures of Asha and patiently waits for her. The book explains that it takes a long time to follow laws and fill out forms for adoption. Finally, Asha arrives in America and the family greets her in the airport. Arun is excited to have a little sister and cares for her so much.

Theme: Adoption

Personal response to the text: This is a precious book that many families would enjoy reading. While I do not have an adopted sibling, I relate to Arun’s character in the fact that I care a lot for my sister. I know multiple people who are adopted and share the same experience with Arun. His love for Asha is shown through his actions before he even meets her. He prepares her room and makes bracelets for her. Siblings have a special connection, whether or not one is adopted.

Why I recommend this book: Bringing Home Asha would be the perfect for families who are in the process of adopting or have an adopted child. I would recommend reading this to siblings of an adopted child. Arun is a sweet, nurturing, and kind older brother who loves his sister Asha. He is a great example for children to see how to treat their siblings. It is an excellent mirror for young children whose family has adopted and could even change their mindset about adding another member to the family.

[Gabby Wiot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing Asha Home is a picture book about a brother, Arun, anxiously waiting for his adopted sister, Asha, to be brought back from India. In the beginning, Arun's family tells him that they are expecting a daughter by his birthday in spring. However, when springtime comes, this adoption process is delayed further until late July. Eventually, Asha comes to the United States and meets the family, in which they care and love for her.

The theme of Bringing Asha Home is to hold onto hope and never give up. Throughout the story, the adoption process kept getting delayed, which worried the family. However, they still were positive and hopeful that eventually they would meet their daughter.

While I was reading this book, I was excited for Arun to finally have a sister. In the beginning, he is with his friend, Michael, talking about siblings and how he wishes he had one. Once his parents tell him he is going to have an adopted sister, he becomes ecstatic. Seeing his feelings of excitement and love for his sister develop throughout the adoption process was very heartwarming and reminded me of the bond that siblings share.

I would definitely recommend this book, especially for families going through adoption. It shows that although the process is hard and long, it usually works out for families in the end. It has a strong emphasis on love and hope that creates a positive and uplifting tone appropriate for children and families.

[Keisha Rembert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krishnaswami admits she is not adopted or has she ever adopted a child. However, she tells a sweet story of Arun's desire for a sister. As an outsider, she does not seem that she needed to have the experience firsthand to tell a story of love and patience.

It is Rakhi, a holiday special in Hinduism for brothers and sisters, and Arun's parents are adopting a sister from India. Arun is excited at the prospect of having a new sister, like his friend Micahel, and especially from his father's homeland of India. He can not wait for his little sister's arrival but wait he must.

Even though he can hardly contain his excitement, Arun has to wait and wait. He has to celebrate his 8th birthday without a sister. His family must even celebrate Asha's first birthday without her. To pass the time, Arun makes a paper airplane that he will put in his Dad's suitcase when the fateful day arrives for him to go get Asha.

The story is beautifully told and the illustrations are just as purposeful as the words on the page.

There is often much debate about who gets to tell a story. This one proves that outsiders can tell a compelling and thoughtful story.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Bringing Asha Home
Author: Uma Krishnaswami
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Plot Summary: In this story there is a boy that really really wants a little sister. Then, one day his parents inform him that he is going to get a little sister. He is very happy, except it takes a really really long time for the sister to ever come home. This is because his parents are adopting this little girl, Asha, from India. In the United States when you want to adopt, you can sometimes wait a very long time because of all the regulations that go along with adopting a child.

Literary Merit: I think the setting of this book is something that can be taught to students. Since there are a few settings such as school, home, birthday party, etc I would be able to ask younger grade students where the setting is.

Reader's Response: To have students think beyond our classroom walls I would have students research about adoption. I would have them pick 3 countries and have them find out how many children were adopted from that country the previous year and also how many children are in the system to be adopted.

Note: This is a part of my text set of adoption

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family eagerly awaits the arrival of their adopted daughter/sister from India. While this book does depict transnational adoption, it is done in a sensitive manner. The family adopting baby Asha has an Indian American father and an apparently White American mother (not clearly stated, but this is what the pictures suggest), and their son Arun, who is so excited to celebrate Rakhi, the Hindu celebration of brothers and sisters, with his new sister.

Themes: Adoption, Siblings, Waiting/Patience, Travel
Age range: Preschool and early Elementary

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story, told from the perspective of the boy who is about to get a baby sister through adoption. Waiting is hard!

I loved learning about the holiday Rakhi, and I love that the family appears multiracial (Indian father, Caucasian mom), and although it’s not explicit, my impression is that the 8-year-old boy is the biological son of the parents. The illustrations are beautiful and expressive.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Multicultural Picture Book/Realistic Fiction

Copyright Date: 2006

This is a story about an interracial couple that is planning to adopt a little girl from India. Their son is very excited and can't wait to finally have a sister. This book would be good for grades K-5. Great to use to talk about families and adoption.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully told story about a boy and his family waiting for his sister to be adopted from India. They talk about the special traditions between brothers and sisters in India and also the reality of adopting from another country. There is a happy ending as Asha is brought home to her family.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of patience as a family waits for all the bureaucracy to resolve and they bring a baby girl to the US from India. It takes a year, a very long year for her big brother who wants her very much.

[Tara Mcallister]

A young boy is delighted when he finds out that his family will be adopting a baby girl named Asha. The family tries to patiently wait for Asha and prepare for her arrival. When the day finally arrives for her to come live with them, it’s everything and more than they expected.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting for a new baby to arrive is hard, especially when there is no “due” date (as with an adoption). But the sibling connection makes it worth the wait.

[Lesley Burnap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful book about international adaption from the POV 8 yo boy.

[Anindita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful illustrated story for children on adoption, the bond of siblings, and festival of Rakhi. It is a tale of an Indian immigrant family.

[Ansley Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: This book is about a family of three adding another member to their family. The parents tell their son, Arun, that he is going to have a little sister. His parents went on to tell him that his sister will not be coming home from a hospital, but will be coming home from India. Arun was overjoyed by this exciting news. Unfortunately, the family hit a few bumps in the road during the adoption process. Arun was so antsy. He could not wait any longer to meet his little sister. He began making paper planes that he pretended to throw from India to America. There was one plane that he claimed was the best. Thankfully, the wait was over and Arun finally got to meet Asha. When Asha came home, Arun gave her his best plane and Asha gave Arun a bracelet from India.

Themes: A major theme in this story is adoption. This book does an excellent job showing children and readers that adoption is a special and precious experience. Arun and his family love Asha as if she was related to them through blood. This book just goes to show that family can be defined as people who are inside and outside the bloodline.

Star rating: 5 stars

Personal response: I personally love this book because it highlights the beauty of adoption. One of my best friends is adopted from Haiti and her family loves her so much. She adores her family and remains extremely close to them. My friend's life would have been extremely different without her loving family. I think it is important for children to read about adoption because it is such a gift to so many people across the globe.

Recommendation: I would recommend this book because it can start a converstation about families. The teacher can use this book to ask the students what their families are like. Teachers can also use this book to ask students if they know anyone adopted. This book is a great launching pad for teachers to use when talking about loving people regardless if they look the same as you.

[Juso · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fictional narrative is about an adoption process that a bi-racial Indian American family go on to adopt a baby girl from India. This story is told from the young son's perspective, named Arun. The process is exciting for Arun; yet, at times, it is painful for Arun and his family because of the long and exhausting process (ex. Preparing her room and baby-proofing the house, dealing with the disappointment of delays, making her paper airplanes, celebrating her first birthday with family and friends"). Finally, Arun's father makes the trip to India and brings Asha home. As a literacy teacher, I could teach students storytelling. The students may interact with the text by asking them to describe a time when they have been in a situation when they were emotionally aware (ex. Discussions about his emotions with his parents and friends"). The author, Umi Krishnaswami, who is an Indian American herself, makes the story authentic by including descriptions of the Indian Holiday Rakhi into the text; doing a good job of incorporating Indian culture throughout the text. The text contains a page located in back which describes the Rakhi holiday. The text represents a diverse family because it contains an adoptive family.

[528_Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing Asha Home is a picture book describing the adoption story of a bi-racial (Indian American) family who adopts a little baby girl from India. Arun anxiously awaits the arrival of his sister as the family prepares the house for her. Little does he know, it will take almost one year for the governmental approval and papers to go through allowing Asha to come to the United States. This informational storybook gives students a window into the sometimes long process of adoption cases in the United States. Families who have adopted children will also find comfort in hearing the experience of another loving family going through a similar experience. Author, Uma Krishnaswami incorporates the tradition of Rakhi, a special Indian holiday celebrated by brothers and sisters in her story. This cultural framework, adds depth and meaning to this heartwarming tale. The author includes information about Rakhi as well as adoption at the end of the text for further information. I liked Bringing Asha Home because it described an adoption story focused on India, instead of China or Asia, a more common theme in American adoption stories.

[Zeal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about an interracial family that is trying to adopt a baby girl from India. The plot is rich and hold the attention of the reader until the end. There is a very wonderful ending that leaves the reader content. The story is realistic and shows the struggles that every member of the family goes through during this process. The premise is that Arun wants a younger sister to celebrate rakhi with and how at the end of the year he finally gets one. Arun's father is an Indian American and his mom is Caucasian. There are no negative stereotypes in this story and it is very diverse. The family reacts realistically to all the situations they are placed in and the readers can feel those emotions. The illustrations are also related to the story and are very beautiful.

[Tiffany White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story focuses on Arun as he, sometimes impatiently, waits for his new baby sister to come home from India. This is a story of adoption seen through the eyes of an excited new sibling which does a great job at depicting the sometimes confusing and frustrating process that goes into adopting a new baby from a foreign country. Important themes that help to tie Arun and Asha's story together is the paper airplanes Arun creates throughout the story and the Hindu holiday, Rakhi, which is a holiday that is special for siblings. Uma does a great job providing some backstory/explanation for both adoption and Rakhi for readers.

[Piper Sandstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bringing Asha Home was a good book that introduced the idea of adoption to it's young readers. A little boy anxiously awaits the arrival of his little sister who is coming from India.

The book is fairly simple: the little boy waiting for his sister is impatient while the date keeps moving back. But the topic that it brings up for children is very important. This book would most likely be the first time most children hear about adoption and that children can be adopted from other countries. It can also bring a sense of family to those that have children who have been adopted.

[Ashleigh Dunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautiful story from a young boy waiting for his adopted sister to come home to live with them. He actively prepares for her but he becomes restless. He thinks of her in India hoping she is being cared for until his parents go and get her. Finally they set out for India.
"I sit on the step and drum my heels on the floor. I've been patient forever, I cry. I'm tired of being patient. Mom and Dad look at each other. I think they're tired too."

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adoption

This story is one about international adoption. The family has one son. They are trying to adopt a daughter from India. The book realistically shows the long time a family waits, even after they are approved for the adoption and know who their child is to be.

A good story for grades K-3 in a discussion of adoption from other countries.

[Erika Laudermilt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all families have been made and created the same way, and students need to know that some kids come to families who will love them because they were not with mommies and daddies who loved them before. There are many kids who are adopted and i think that is something important kids need to learn and be aware of.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one makes up for illustrations that are way too dark for my tastes and I think should probably be brighter for a children's book, with a really great story. It's nice to see a story about a biracial couple adopting.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's lovely to see a brother caring so actively for a sister he'd not yet met. I'd not heard of the holiday of Rakhi before, and that made it even sweeter. Biracial children are becoming more and more common in picture books, but they're still rare enough that I'll comment on it.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best for a child who is about to have an adopted sibling.

[Bethany Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arun waits for his new baby sister to arrive from India. When she comes, she brings him a rakhi bracelet for the cultural celebration. Liked Arun as a character, and liked the illustrations very much

[Alison Criner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Cute story about adoption.