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Happy Adoption Day!
This adaptation of McCutcheon's song commemorates the day when a child joins an adoptive family. Complete with musical notation, these verses reassure adopted children they are special. Full-color illustrations.
32 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
John McCutcheon
7 books9 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John McCutcheon is an American folk music singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and writer.
John McCutcheon is an American folk music singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 20, 2019
We have had this book and read it every year on the anniversary of the finalization of my son's adoption. It is a very dear and treasured book in our household.
October 30, 2012
“Happy Adoption Day!” is story from the words of John McCutcheon's song of the same name. This song/story discusses adoption and family life in a cheerful, celebratory way. McCutcheon, the lyricist and also a folk musician, has managed to create a song that may be sung by many families when they celebrate Adoption Day. I appreciate how McCutcheon has tailored the song to suit and engage children through the use of a rhyme scheme pattern and a repetitive chorus. Another thing I like about McCutcheon’s song is choosing to include a part about different types of parents (ex. “Some parents come different, some come the same, but whether they're single or pairs…”) I also appreciate the colorful and vivid images the illustrator, Julie Paschkis, painted to accompany the joyful song.
As a teacher, I would use this book to discuss adoptive families and how Adoption Day is a special day for adoptive families and children. I would also use the story/song to point out that despite any differences (ex. “No matter the name and no matter the age, no matter how you came to be, no matter the skin, we are all of us kin—“), everyone is considered one family. And depending on the age group, I could even ask students to point out rhyming words or to create their own song about a special day/event they celebrate using a rhyming pattern similar to that used by McCutcheon.
As a teacher, I would use this book to discuss adoptive families and how Adoption Day is a special day for adoptive families and children. I would also use the story/song to point out that despite any differences (ex. “No matter the name and no matter the age, no matter how you came to be, no matter the skin, we are all of us kin—“), everyone is considered one family. And depending on the age group, I could even ask students to point out rhyming words or to create their own song about a special day/event they celebrate using a rhyming pattern similar to that used by McCutcheon.
October 25, 2017
Happy adoption day falls under the genre of poetry and verse. It is a book that displays what adopted families look like to young readers. It is a nice tale that has a lyrical flow in the way it was written. It has a story line that is a bit harder to follow but the illustrations do a great job on keeping things on track. The book is engaging and something I think all young readers will enjoy. This book is interesting to children and offers them a variety of things to think about. It is age appropriate and something that young readers would understand. It has a rich plot that is pretty easy to follow. This story does not have a real problem or solution but it does include realistic and convincing characters that children will be able to relate to. The illustrations are accurate in terms of setting,plot, and characters and corresponds to the text well. The book exposes children to multiple values and perspectives and does not display any negative stereotypes of the represented groups. The author nor the illustrator are a part of the group being represented but they did a really great job of accurately representing this group.
October 24, 2013
Written by John McCutcheon Happy adoption day is a story about the day a child joins an adoptive family. The main idea is that adoption is a special occasion and those children are important and special to those adoptive parents. The main characters are the mom, dad, and child. The voice of the story comes from both of the parents as the capture for the reader the joys of having a new addition to their family. There is a lot of repetition in this text students would be able to read along with the teacher.The author John McCutcheon is not an adoptive parent, but he is a parent which makes the the love expressed by the parents more sincere. As a teacher I would use this text to teach rhythm in text as well as diversity in family structure. The illustrations by Julie Paschkis are colorful and bright which would do well at keeping the attention of the listeners of the story. She does a wonderful job at illustrating the different characteristics of an adoptive family.
May 2, 2012
We've read this book a couple of times. It's interesting that the baby in this book's room looks like mine, it even has a bird mobile like mine does. It's important that I learn about adoption and what that means but right now, I like the song my mama sings me from this book. She sings to me a lot and every song has my name in it, I didn't know that Malckey P was such a popular name.
We took this book to the courthouse when my adoption became final. Everyone who was a part of my big day signed it. My G-Pa, GLinda, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Case Workers, Lawyer, Court reporter, even the judge. Guess what, the same judge who married my parents made me a legal member of my family..that's pretty cool.
We took this book to the courthouse when my adoption became final. Everyone who was a part of my big day signed it. My G-Pa, GLinda, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Case Workers, Lawyer, Court reporter, even the judge. Guess what, the same judge who married my parents made me a legal member of my family..that's pretty cool.
January 16, 2012
The language of the book was written in a rhyme scheme where children could understand and notice the pattern. Although this book has a correlating song, it repeats itself a couple of times, where children would love to be engaged. Therefore, I would love to share the sone to my students. Basically, this book is about a couple who is determined to adopt a child. I like this book because it pointed out that no matter the upbringing, race, or skin color; the adopted child is always considered family. I can use this book in my classroom by explaining the characteristics of an adoption family, as well as why some parents decide to adopt children. Adopted children are still considered part of a family. As a teacher, I can relate to students who are adopted.
May 31, 2016
There are not many other picturebooks that I have found to be so uplifting and joyful as this one. This entire book is dedicated to celebrating adoption in a fun way such as with music. Throughout the book is continues to get excited about those who have been adopted and does a wonderful job of reassuring them that they are loved and unbelievably special as well.
The illustrations in this picturebook are joyful and extremely upbeat. They appear to be watercolor and compliment the text very well. Since the entire book is so colorful, it aids the book in appearing even more upbeat and positive.
I really enjoyed the optimistic approach this book held, it was very heartfelt and warm and had a wonderful message.
The illustrations in this picturebook are joyful and extremely upbeat. They appear to be watercolor and compliment the text very well. Since the entire book is so colorful, it aids the book in appearing even more upbeat and positive.
I really enjoyed the optimistic approach this book held, it was very heartfelt and warm and had a wonderful message.
October 15, 2017
Happy Adoption Day is a touching story that follows a family’s journey as they bring their adopted child home and celebrate his adoption. Year after year, we see the family go from anticipating the arrival of their child to the child growing up right before their eyes! Even as the child gets older, the family still has a happy adoption day party every year. Some of the guests that come to this party are also adopted, some by single parents and some by two parents. This story does a wonderful job of including all different types of families and celebrating one of the most important days of a family’s life.
September 29, 2008
This book is okay. The pictures are alright and the text is fine, just nothing great. The family has adopted a boy in this book and they are celebrating that day. I like the idea of having a separate day to celebrate the day of adoption from other special or normal days. The text has been set to music and I like the thought of having a song to sing on adoption days just like on birthdays. Nevertheless, in the long run this one will most likely not make the short list for my group either because I'm not sure it gives enough info.
October 12, 2015
"There are those who think families happen by chance, a mystery their whole life through, but we had a voice and we had a choice---We were working and waiting for you."
Through the illustrations and the text of the book, it is evident that the characters of the story are more than excited on their journey to meet their new baby. The drawings are quite creative and visually pleasing to the eye. This can serve as a book to really tell the story of how the adoptive parent or parents might have felt when going to meet their new child. It was a very beautiful book.
Through the illustrations and the text of the book, it is evident that the characters of the story are more than excited on their journey to meet their new baby. The drawings are quite creative and visually pleasing to the eye. This can serve as a book to really tell the story of how the adoptive parent or parents might have felt when going to meet their new child. It was a very beautiful book.
October 17, 2018
This is the first book that I have read covering the topic of adoption and I loved it! What I loved most about the book was that there were lyrics and notes to go along with the verses that were continually repeated throughout the book. This book also provides a great message to all children who are adopted. No matter where they came from, what color their skin is, how old they are, or who their adopted parents are, they are special and have a home and a family who cares deeply for them. This book is a must-have to any family who has adopted a child!
October 21, 2018
Happy Adoption Day is a wonderful story about adoption in general, not just a specific family. The story says that this wasn’t by chance, they had a choice and working for this. When the child is finally brought home, their “family was born.” No matter where the child may go, who they meet, whether you have the same skin color, whether it’s a single parents or a couple, and no matter how they came to be, they are all one family. They will always have a family. The illustrations and the message in this book are beautiful!
July 1, 2011
An okay book celebrating the adoption of a child. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born I think does a better job of portraying the adoption story. The illustrations were very colorful an busy and the book can be sung to a tune included in the back.
October 15, 2017
This book mainly just talks about how a child is getting adopted into a family and they make many songs about the adoption and how happy they are. This book would be a great book to read to children because maybe there is some children in the classroom that don't have birth parents and they always want to learn more, and know that it is okay.
February 14, 2008
By far, one of my favorite children's books on adoption. This talks about adoption in the most positive light and shows how families are truly blessed through the process of adoption. It also teaches children that all families are different and that every child is different and that that is okay.
March 20, 2012
This is a fun, lighthearted book that tells the journey of one couple bringing their child home and celebrating that day in later years. Originally written as a song, of which my husband is no fan, this book brings the words to life.
April 23, 2010
A great book about a family who adopts a child. The child celebrates the adoption day, instead of the birthday. Shows students that not all families are the same!
November 12, 2011
A great song about adoption. Could be a great way to discuss the topic of adoption. It puts it in a positive light.
March 11, 2013
I like this book because it talks about adaptation in a very positive way .This book would teach children that all families are different. The illustration a colorful and the story can be sung .
November 13, 2017
Picture Book - Helps to teach that families of all kinds a special. It’s has a nice rhyme to it so that you could sing it as a song. Such a good book for children who have been adopted.
May 1, 2020
"Happy Adoption Day" by John McCutcheon. Happy adoption day falls under the genre of poetry and verse. It is a book that displays what adopted families look like to young readers. It is a nice tale that has a lyrical flow in the way it was written. It has a storyline that is a bit harder to follow but the illustrations do a great job of keeping things on track. The book is engaging and something I think all young readers will enjoy. This book is interesting to children and offers them a variety of things to think about. It is age-appropriate and something that young readers would understand. It has a rich plot that is pretty easy to follow. This story does not have a real problem or solution but it does include realistic and convincing characters that children will be able to relate to. The illustrations are accurate in terms of setting, plot, and characters and correspond to the text well. The book exposes children to multiple values and perspectives and does not display any negative stereotypes of the represented groups. The author nor the illustrator are a part of the group being represented but they did a really great job of accurately representing this group.
March 12, 2019
“Happy Adoption Day” is writing from the perspective of a parent speaking to their recently adopted child. As the title would suggest, this story is all about the day a child is finally adopted and emphasizes that while the child may have been through hard times their new family loves them. This story combines a few elements such as colorful painted images and a cheerful song to help engage and encourage children while reading the story. However, due to the childish images and song, this book would probably only strongly identify with young children rather than an older child who was being adopted. While this book is informative and uplifting for children that are in an adoption situation, due to how it is designed and the repetitive text it has a very limited target audience that would enjoy the book.
November 2, 2025
I know this was written with good intentions but I always dislike adoption books that center on international adoption (90% of adoption picture books, totally made up statistic). Plus there is always a line about your home country being a trash heap that you had to be rescued from. And the illustrations tend to be suspect, especially in the 90s style of facial features.
Someone please publish a decent adoption day book! Bonus points if it doesn't have a baby in it and extra points if it's a domestic adoption.
Someone please publish a decent adoption day book! Bonus points if it doesn't have a baby in it and extra points if it's a domestic adoption.
March 16, 2019
I thought this book was awesome because it addresses diversity and adoption which are two concepts children have a hard time grasping. This book would be extremely good for children who are adopted or children who have adopted friends. Growing up I had a friend who was adopted and I think the lessons and ideas in this story would have helped me understand her and where she came from a little bit more.
November 16, 2020
Coming from a family where a lot of my family members are adopted when I saw this story i Had to read it! This book is amazing and beautifully addressing diversity and adoption. Often times trying to teach and have younger students understand diversity can be a challenging thing and same with adoption whether it is the student that is adopted or one of their classmates, this story would be a great way to clear some confusion and start conversations.
April 8, 2019
This book illustrates a "happy adoption day" song. The illustrations are wonderful! I could see using this to celebrate a child's annual adoption anniversary, or using it to open a conversation about where the child was born and what their adoption story is. I would recommend this book for ages
November 6, 2019
Beautiful song, beautiful book. Bought it when we adopted our daughter. Brings tears to my eyes each time I read it.
May 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this picture book which follows a couple on their journey to add to their family through adoption. It begins with them painting the nursery and preparing to welcome their new baby. The story continues with the trip to pick their baby up and welcome him home.
It is a celebration about both adoption as well as all different types of families. I think this is an important book for adopted kids and their families to read. The majority of children’s books do not represent adoptive families and it is so important for kids to see their families reflected in books. This family is also mixed-race as the parents are white and the baby Asian. There are also many different types of families portrayed in the book such as same-sex and single parents. The text is actually song lyrics so it has a fun, whimsical quality to it. The illustrations are bright, big and beautiful ! A true celebration of family ! I gave the book five stars because I feel it is such an important addition to children’s literature broaching the subject of adoption in a celebratory way.
I gave this book 5 stars because its bright, colorful pictures and fun verse made it a book that I wanted to read over and over again to my children. I would use this in a classroom to teach about diverse family structures as well as adoption.
It is a celebration about both adoption as well as all different types of families. I think this is an important book for adopted kids and their families to read. The majority of children’s books do not represent adoptive families and it is so important for kids to see their families reflected in books. This family is also mixed-race as the parents are white and the baby Asian. There are also many different types of families portrayed in the book such as same-sex and single parents. The text is actually song lyrics so it has a fun, whimsical quality to it. The illustrations are bright, big and beautiful ! A true celebration of family ! I gave the book five stars because I feel it is such an important addition to children’s literature broaching the subject of adoption in a celebratory way.
I gave this book 5 stars because its bright, colorful pictures and fun verse made it a book that I wanted to read over and over again to my children. I would use this in a classroom to teach about diverse family structures as well as adoption.
November 20, 2019
This book has beautiful illustrations and has an amazing story. This book would be great to use in a classroom to explain what adoption means. Great read and would be great for any grade level.
November 18, 2016
Families come together in all different ways! These two parents celebrate the adoption day of their little boy! This is a unique book because you can also sing along!
This is a pretty cool book. I wish I knew it was supposed to be sung. There are lyrics in the back and it reads as a celebration of this little boy's adoption day!
I think as a school social worker, this would be a good book to give a family going through the transition of an adoption. Those kinds of life changing transitions can be difficult for siblings already in the home and this would be a good song/book to help the family transition together.
This is a pretty cool book. I wish I knew it was supposed to be sung. There are lyrics in the back and it reads as a celebration of this little boy's adoption day!
I think as a school social worker, this would be a good book to give a family going through the transition of an adoption. Those kinds of life changing transitions can be difficult for siblings already in the home and this would be a good song/book to help the family transition together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews