Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale

by Karen Katz

An affirming story about international adoption, based on the author's own experience with her daughter.

Over the Moon by Karen Katz is a magical, reassuring story of one adoptive family's beginnings, told in words and pictures that are just right for the youngest child. Featuring ilustrations by the author.

Genres: Adoption, Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Parenting, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1997

About the author

Karen Katz has written and illustrated many books for children, including The Colors of Us, Can You Say Peace, My First Ramadan, Counting Kisses and Where is Baby's Belly Button. Long inspired by folk art from around the world, she was inspired to write her first book, Over the Moon, when she and her husband adopted their daughter from Guatemala, and she wanted to tell the story of welcoming Lena into their lives. Katz loves to paint and experiment with texture, color, collage and pattern. Besides an author and illustrator, she has been a costume designer, quilt maker, fabric artist and graphic designer. Katz and her family divide their time between New York City and Saugerties, New York.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/karenkatz

Reviews

[Julie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A baby is born, and her birth mother (who is neither a devil nor a saint) can not keep her, but her true parents, on the other side of the world, dream of her arrival.

In preparation for meeting her, they pack everything small, but they hold everything big in their hearts and their bodies and on their faces.

And when they are united with their child (who is their real and true child, and not someone else's baby), they become parents, and they are as happy and as excited as two parents who ever waited to fulfill this particular dream.

And, when their “first day as a family was over. . . they could not wait for the next one to begin.”

It turns out, when you want a baby, and a baby comes, no matter the origin, you realize, very quickly, that every day feels like Christmas morning, for a very long time.

Or at least until that baby becomes an adolescent. . .

[Amber Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start, once I opened the book I was hooked because the illustrations and colors used are very vibrant. If I were to read this book in a classroom, I believe that the children would be interested in wanting to hear more because of the plot and all the activities that take place while the parents are trying to get to their new adopted baby. The characters used in the book look more like cartoons, but I feel as though you can still relate because the language and style used within the text helps you to visualize exactly what is going on if you were to place yourself in the parents position. Karen Kartz, the author, wrote this book because in 1991 her husband and herself traveled to Central America to meet their new baby girl. She stated that she wrote this book so it could be a shared with her daughter as she got older and with other parents who go through this same journey as herself. This is a heartwarming book and I believe that it could be used within a classroom to spark the conversation on how some children are adopted and explain the trails and tribulations that someone went to to get their new baby.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGOODNESS!!!! This is our story!!!! (Minus the no having other kids. We have a few of those)
Over the Moon is so beautiful, wonderful and perfect!! I don’t think I can ever read it to Elizabeth without crying tho.

[Mary Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is an engaging, age appropriate book about a family brought together in a loving, and inclusive way. It fits into my text set perfectly because it describes a family structure that may not be traditional but is inclusive of those who may have been adopted or experienced adoption within their family. The book is beautifully written in a way young students can understand and clearly interpret the message. Additionally, the illustrations are colorful and engaging as well as appropriate. The illustrations also show the parents as an inter racial couple, although its never mentioned directly in the book. The book gives a great perspective into families brought together by adoption, and even the characters are very diverse so there is a great representation of a non- traditional or "cookie cutter" family represented here that students could identify with.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katz' prose for children always soars over the moon and straight into the heart.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Karen Katz, which focus on how a family is anticipating the adoption of their child. This book explores how a family prepares for their expecting child.

The text is simplistic and flowed rather well making the story a quick read. It uses such simple language to convey the excitement of the family and the anticipation that at any moment they will get a call to come and get their baby. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and helps move the text along rather well. They are beautifully illustrated with nice colors, which depict the text rather well.

The premise of the book is rather simple: it is a magical, reassuring story of an adoptive family’s beginnings and their overseas journey to bring their child home, which is told in pictures that are just right for any child – an ideal story to share with families everywhere. I really like the fact that the text doesn't provide any reason of why the couple couldn't conceive as there are a myriad of reasons, thus making this book universal to all situations.

All in all, Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale is a wonderful children's book depicting a different sort of family, yet shows that it is still a family in all the ways that matters. It is a good book to show an adoptive child or any child for that matter on how adoption works at the basic of levels in the simplest of terms.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the moon is a fictional story that discusses children that have been adopted. This is an interesting read because the author expresses the background of one family's journey of adopting a child through pictures and text for children. As a reader, you cannot help but become wrapped up in the story due to the magical pictures that feel as if you become one with the story. Adoption is a big thing everywhere so to create a story that allows children to come to their own conclusions and understanding shows dedication. The author of this story actually went through this and wanted to shair from a different perspective the trials and tribulations that come along with it. I loved how she addressed how at times it can be difficult when connecting to a child, but through it all, you continue to show them that you care and love them no matter what. Educate them and be open to the many questions they may have. This piece was honest and open which we should always be with our students, and I loved it.

[Nickie Mariager-Lam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something about the narrative in this book rubs me the wrong way - Maybe it is because it is very much centered about the excitement of the adoptive parents and not at all about the feelings of the adopted child in this life-altering situation? Maybe it is because the biological mom randomly is described as a 'lady' and not a more precise title such as first mom, biological mom etc.? Or the romanticization of the adoption in the sentence 'We knew we were meant to be together' - like it was fate that the biological mom wasn't able to parent her child and the child had to be taken away from everything she knew? I do see what the book is trying to convey; that the adopted child is very much longed for and wanted and it is a wonderful message, but unfortunately, at the same time it skips over all of the difficult topics surrounding adoption, which is a missed opportunity to invite the adopted child to talk about the more difficult feelings that they harbour about their adoption.

[Jomal Childers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to know the book was inspired by the authors own daughter and her writing the book shows she has a personal connection to the topic. In reading the book I really enjoyed the illustrations and believe them to be spot on with the text. The book is a great read and age appropriate and does a fantastic job showing diversity. In today’s society family dynamic isn’t what it was a few decades ago and more nontraditional families are emerging. The book is great for connecting readers to identify and see themselves and even wonder especially if they were adopted too early to remember; what it was like when they were connected for the first time with their family. The book does a great job captivating its audience and believe children will enjoy this book and be able to connect with it even if they aren’t adopted.

[Abby Lindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale is about a couple who are preparing to adopt a child from a place far from where they are and the journey that it is. Through the story and beautiful pictures, we are taken on the journey with the parents. We are taken with the parents and get a glimpse into what it would be like to prepare for a new baby. It's fun to watch the parents tell family members and actually fly way to pick up their child. The pictures are different than what I have seen before but adds to the story so beautifully. As someone who was adopted it was refreshing to read about an adoption. As a future teacher, I would include this into the younger ages and talk about how one family can look and be different than another family and that is okay. I highly recommend this book for anyone.

[Keith Mannina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the biological parent of a child given up for adoption, I think about her all the time. Choosing a family to adopt your child, is the greatest gift you can give to a family that cannot have their own child for a myriad of different reasons. Whether they are biological or societal. I only know my part of the story. This book gives me a peek into what it would be like for her parents. I cried quite a bit reading this book. When I was growing up, adoption was a source of shame. Now that I’m older, adoption is a source of the truest love available.

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I like how the title can mean either their happiness is over the moon as well as how they traveled "over the moon" to go pick up their new family addition. I also like how it shows that they will tell their child that she is adopted but they will love her no matter what. The sentence structures were short and easy to understand, and the story had a lovely overall happy tone.

The illustrations were helpful and detailed, but sometimes distracting. The story seems as though it will be interesting towards children, must mainly towards children who have been adopted or have adopted siblings. It contained a heavy aspect of cultural differences as the child was adopted from another country and the parents traveled to go get her. The characters did not have many lines to speak, as most of the story was narrated. This book would be a great introduction towards adoption for younger kids, to get the idea in their head and explain how it works.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond the lovely, colorful illustrations that are typical of Karen Katz, this was a thoughtfully told story of adoption. There's not much mention of the birth mother, other than she was unable to take care of her baby, which is probably about the best way to present it to the intended age group of this book, but more focuses on the parents who dream about their baby, long to see her, and are so happy to bring her home and introduce her to all their friends.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such beautiful pictures! I could have Karen Katz pictures throughout my house. Karen Katz books always have an abundance of love in them and a beautiful joy and gentleness. I love how this book shows the joy adoptive parents feel when they are finally able to adopt.

[Carolyn at Bloomers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story conveys how much this child's parents wanted a child. They dreamt and waited and hoped. They bought baby clothes & diapers & a crib. They travel to pick up and bring their new baby home to a whole community waiting to greet them.

[Erika Schissler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives another story for adoption. It is good for children of all ages and would be great for families.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of adoption with stunningly colorful illustrations.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a family adopting a baby from another country. Emphasis is on how much the baby is wanted and all the people who were waiting for the baby.

[Joshua Maret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love the illustration style, but it was a good read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages 3 and up. A mother tells the story of anxiously waiting for the news of the birth of their daughter and their journey from North America to South America to go get her.

[Kell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story! Hands on examples of what emotions are involved when growing a family though adoption. Will be reading this to our kiddo a lot as he grows up!

[Margaret Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of adoption. I love to the illustrations. I like how the book wasn’t too blatant with the idea of adoption and be great for younger kids.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This narrative is about a couple that is eagerly awaiting their baby girl that they will adopt. The couple is preparing for the arrival for their baby girl. Also, friends and family eagerly wait for the baby. They ask, “Is the baby coming soon?” Finally, they get a call that says, “Your baby has been born! She is wonderful. Come quickly and get her.” They go meet their new child and spend quality time together as a family on their first day (fed her, changed her, and bathed her). Then, they take their new daughter back home to start their happy life together. I really love this book and its simple story on adoption. As a classroom teacher, I think that it is a good book to read to the students. It informs them about adoption, but on their own level. It is a great way to introduce another type of family, since the family is multicultural. It portrays how love glues different people around the world, no matter their physical attributes or cultures. This book is rich with vocabulary and it can be used to introduce new vocabulary in the classroom (surrounded, violet, longing, twinkled, etc.). The author, Karen Katz, wrote this book to share her adoption story to her daughter. Thus, this book is the authors experience about adopting her baby girl. The illustrations are simply divine! They are colorful, engaging, and detailed. It will surely keep the students attention and add to the story.

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Katz tells her own family’s story of international adoption which begins, “Once upon a time a teeny-tiny baby was born.” On the night the baby was born, the mom and dad both dreamed of the baby surrounded by violet flowers. They pack up and fly “over the moon and through the night” to see their new baby girl.

“The door opened and there was the baby all soft and small.
At last she was in her new mommy’s and daddy’s arms.
Over the top of the blanket two tiny eyes looked up at them,
and the mommy and daddy looked back at her.
Then they hugged her and hugged her—at least a hundred times!
They were so happy.”

The family spends their first night together and then they take the baby back to their neighborhood where she is welcomed by family and friends. It ends when the parents tell the baby:

“Forever and always we will be
your mommy and daddy.
Forever and always you will be
our child.”

The illustrations are abstract representations of the family and their surroundings. Designed in collage, gouache and colored pencils they are bright and magical.

[Ashley Schamberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale
Author: Karen Katz
Illustrator: Karen Katz
Publisher: Square Fish
Date: July 1, 2001
Genre: Realistic Fiction

I really liked this book because I think it could be very beneficial in helping younger children see the beauty in adoption. Not many books are about this topic, but I believe that this book has the ability to help children who are adopted to understand the beauty of their families. I would use this book to help children better understand the makeup of various families.

[Karley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the Moon is an adoption tale, by Karen Katz. The story is very is similar to the one Katz shares with her adopted Guatemalen daughter; about how they became a family. The Mommy and Daddy dream about their perfect baby that they will soon have, and everyone in the community longs to see the new perfect baby. Mommy and Daddy finally receive the long waited phone call, and are on their way to see their new baby girl. The story goes on to tell about all of the crazy things a new mommy and daddy have to do; once they are blessed with a new baby. As an educator I would be able to use this book in my classroom to explain adoption; when they class discusses the diversity found in families. The students would love the colorful illustrations in the story, and would find all of the many duties of new parent comical. I feel that this is a great text to use when talking about family, and is great because the Katz has experienced this topic first hand.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an affirming story about international adoption, based on the author's own experience with her daughter.The author, Karen Katz who also is the illustrator of this book comes with a magical, reassuring story of one adoptive family's beginnings, told in words and pictures.The story is about a family who has been waiting for their baby to be born.The waiting part is very significant and even gives a beauty to this book.I can use this book for my future classroom when explaining to young students that exist babies that are adopted.This story will explain itself the definition of adoption, which is not always known by young students.The illustrations are vividly portrayed. I liked them so much .When reading the book,I felt a perfect harmony between the colors and text . It was a great correlation between text and illustrations.I consider this book a great definition of adoption,especially for the young children.

[Lea]

Over the Moon is a story about an adoption. Two parents are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the little girl that they will adopt. The book takes the readers on a journey as the parents prepare for the new addition to the family. The parents pack clothes, toys, and bottles as they get ready to fly on a plane to meet their little girl for the first time. When they meet her they are, “over the moon,” and can’t wait to bring her home.
This book does a great job telling the story of adoption. It lays out all the emotions that adopting parents feel. The reader sees the parents feeling excited, anxious, and worried. This book does a great job talking about a sometimes-difficult topic, in a way that kids can understand and enjoy. This is a great story to show the wonderful families that adoption can help create.

Katz, K. (1997). Over the Moon. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company Inc.

[Jena Costin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale by Karen Katz is an affirming narrative describing the journey of an adoptive family’s beginnings. Through colorful, descriptive language and bright illustrations, Katz evokes excitement and inspiration as she retells her own experiences in adopting her daughter. The book sheds a positive light on the issue of adoption, a topic that is often viewed as difficult for young children to understand. It defines international adoption in a simple way that can be easily understood by even the youngest of readers. It also allows young readers to be a part of the anticipation and joy leading up to coming together of a new family, while maintaining the upmost respect and honor of the birth mother. It is a great text to engage children in learning about various literary elements, including alliterations and descriptive adjectives.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

International adoption.