How I Was Adopted

by Joanna Cole, Maxie Chambliss (Illustrator)

Sam has a joyful story to tell, one completely her own, yet common to millions of families -- the story of how she was adopted. Most of all, it's a story about love. And in the end, Sam's story comes full circle, inviting young readers to share stories of how they were adopted.

Genres: Adoption, Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Nonfiction, Parenting

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 1995

About the author

Joanna Cole, who also wrote under the pseudonym B. J. Barnet, was an author of children’s books who teaches science.

She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.

Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.

Reviews

[Cassidy Goddard]

How I Was Adopted is written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Maxie Chambliss. I would classify this book as a realistic fiction book. This book is about a girl who is telling her story of being adopted. She talks about her parents telling her she came from another woman's stomach and was born from another woman, but her parents loved her so they took her home and she became their new daughter. The language was easy to read in this story, and the author used realist words to describe events happening in the book. For example, when the little girl is talking about coming from another moms stomach, she uses the word uterus. They also explain what happened during birth. I would definitely classify this book for older children because some of the pictures are realistic. This story was a little strange to me, so I do not know how well children would listen to the book. It was very detailed, and I think if read to younger children it would be confusing. The illustrations in the book are real life illustrations and they relate to what is being read on the pages. This book is about a white man and woman who adopt a white child. The book did show diverse cultures throughout the book by representing them in friends and family. The book also represented diverse cultures through the adoption agency and people in the background, but this story's main characters were white.

[Dayona Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it talks about how children can be adopted. Talking about the different types of families there can be is a very important lesson for children. This is more of a informational text because it simply talked about what adoption is although it was child friendly, it was very informational. The book was full of pictures explaining the way a child can be adopted in a very age appropriate way which it allows to be understood. The plot was strong and I enjoyed it. The illustrations were also detailed and will allow children to follow along with the story not only from listening but visually. However, the way the message was presented as if ALL children will have an "adoption story" it contradicted itself because it would say some people stay with their mommy that carried them some don't, then it would say what is "your" adoption story. Although it talked bout the 2 ways you can be apart of a family, it may cause some sort of confusion for young children. Overall, important message and great book!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wisdom in this book seems to me like the background sound of the ocean, if you're near a beach. The author's wisdom about adoption pervades all.

A NOTE TO FAMILIES

Author Joanna Cole chose to place this near the start of the book. Excellent choice, I'd say. This preface informs the main story in this book.

HOW ABOUT THAT, THE MAIN CHARACTER'S STORY?

Sam (short for Samantha) speaks with clarity that makes for a great picture book.

Although, let's admit it. Her narrative isn't really the words of a child. Seems to me, her words are fashioned out of the author's brilliant distillation of knowledge, words packaged to come out of the mouth of a character who is a child. Here's a sample:

Some special things about me
were there when I was born....
The rest of me--
what I know,
how I talk,
the jokes I like,
the things I can do--
came from just being me
and growing up in my family.

IN CONCLUSION

FIVE STARS and also my admiration.
Thank you, author Joanna Cole and also Maxie Chambliss, who created lively expressions on the faces of her characters: Exceptionally believable expressions, in the opinion of this close observer of people (including my work with Face Reading Secrets®).

[Senecca Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very heartwarming for me. Although I am not adopted myself, I know so many people that are and this book shows some light into adoption. The book discussed how you can help answer questions that adopted children and how this can help them understand a bit more information about adoption. I liked that the book gives information about how and what to do with your adopted child if they have questions and how they can understand it easier. The illustrations are good and there is a lot of diversity with this book.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a lot out there on this one. Reviews seem generally positive, but there's apparently a few pages that go into the anatomy of the uterus and birth process. Doesn't use the term birth mother/parents. Baby was just born and given to the parents by the adoption agency, but does cover that the child's physical traits are there from birth, while habits/behaviors were grown into. A blend of pre and post adoption traits.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solidly good adoption book. The story is told by the adopted child, and although it tells her specific story, she acknowledges that every adoption story is different. A good way to start conversations!

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about a girl call Sam and her story of being adopted that her parents tell her. A really good book for an adopted child and for parents who wonder how to tell their kids they are adopted.

[Rebecca Ainscow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, approachable, kid friendly.

[Michaela Kadavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for starting how I was adopted conversation.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ages 3 and up. One of the few adoption stories that explains a lot of the details of the planning and process, and asks readers about their own origins. Written in the voice of the adoptee child.

[Christian Houseworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This narrative is informative and somewhat humorous as well. The book is written from the prospective of Samatha, a child who was adopted. The language is simplistic and entertaining. For example, the narrator provides a child-like interpretation as to how babies are born. The narration of this story is great because it allows children to become connected to the narrator. For example, the narrator says, “you can call me Sam for short.” Sam gives a detailed description of her room. She even provides an opportunity for children to be a part of the story by asking a question they have to respond to. The pictures are cute and very appropriate for children. The Illustrator, Maxie Chambliss, drew colorful pictures that include lots of details. For example, he provided readers with a detailed, colorful description of her room. The picture was so detailed that the author decided not to use words on that page. This book promotes discussion about adoption. It also includes an informational section for parents and teachers to help them talk about adoption with children. Although the author, Joanna Cole, does not have firsthand experience with adoption, she has studied the science and psychology of children. I would definitely have this book in my classroom. As a teacher, I would use this book as another resource to use when talking about the topic of adoption. This book explains to younger children what adoption is and the process that one goes through to become adopted. This book teaches children that being in a family does not mean you have to be related by blood but, it is the love you share for one another that truly makes you a family.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Juvenile Picture Book Reading level: Ages 3-8
This is a book provides a joyful way to open a dialogue about adoption. Samantha, you can call her Sam for short, was adopted by her new family when she was a tiny baby. She uses this delightful picture book format to tell you her story. She begins with a brief, but realistic lesson on how babies are born. She then describes the adoption process and her family’s delight in receiving their child. Short sentences and fun full color drawings allow the reader to get to know Sam as she describes her room, her parents, and her history. The language is simple, but accurate. The illustrations are fun and playful. There is even a busy page near the beginning that allows a younger child to engage in a point and tell game about the items in Sam’s room. The whole story is a conversation with the reader. The preface contains some excellent tips for continuing that conversation past the pages of the book.
Other books about adoption:
A forever family, Roslyn Banish
I love you like crazy cakes, Rose Lewis (picture book for ages 4-8)
Tell me again about the night I was born, Jamie Curtis (picture book for ages 4-8)

[Michel Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I Was Adopted is a children’s book by Joanna Cole that tells the story of a young girl named Sam. The narrator recaps the story her parents told her about how she was adopted at birth, including a very simplistic and age appropriate explanation of how babies are born. As a literacy teacher, I would use this text to discuss adoption in a fun way, as well as touch on the subject of how babies are born. I believe students would use this text as a gateway to begin thinking and talking about their own birth stories and how their families came to be. The author did an amazing job of creating a text that is understandable for younger children, although there was really no way of getting around the word “uterus.” The illustrator also did a really great job of matching the illustrations with the simplicity of the text. For the purpose of exploring various family units, I would use this text to discuss adoption and emphasize the fact that no two children will ever have the same birth story.

[Tara Mensing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the author of the Magic School Bus books! This book is useful in helping children who were adopted, understand how their adoption happened. I found it helpful that the biological mother was referred to as a "woman" instead of another "mother" which could be confusing to the children as the word "mother" carries such a heavy emotional attachment. The character Sam, talks directly to the child out of the book, asking questions like: "Are you adopted too?". The book was also well liked by the five year old girl I read it to, who is also adopted. The book could be used for children older than five as well, but considering the advanced vocabulary (uses of the word uterus etc.), I wouldn't recommend it for any younger.

[Allison Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl name Sam who was adopted. She tells the story about how she came to be with her parents and how happy she is. Adoption is a very complicated subject to talk about but after reading "How I was Adopted" Sam explained the steps in a way that children are able to understand. She talks about her emotions and how she feels about certain things allowing young children to become aware of what some of their classmates might feel like. The illustrations are priceless and correspond with the text. "How I was Adopted" is a great book to allow children who are adopted feel special because Sam is always asking personal question to other children whom might be adopted as well like her.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

April 28, 2016: This book caught my eye because my four year old loves asking questions about our puppy and where his real family is. This book went into a little more detail than we were all prepared for, including uteri! It was also written for an adopted child, so our son was pretty confused by that perspective.

October 5, 2021: Now that my kids are 10 and 7, this book is much more appropriate for them. I’m still not entirely sure why the uterus discussion and diagrams are included in the book, but by now my kids know these terms and their meaning, so that’s not a surprise. This book did bring up good discussions about all different types of families, including adoption, divorce, and stepfamilies.

[Andrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl named Sam that was adopted from birth and learns of her unique story. Her parents give her a step by step, very detailed recap of what happened in her life. The book is amazing in the illustrations of how babies are born and the writer does a great job of giving explanations that are relatable to children. The book encourages children to learn their own stories of how they were born and heavily expresses that all children are different so no two stories will be the same. I would use this book in class as a way of opening up group discussion. It gets the children thinking and talking about their own birth stories and families.

[Sarah George · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a young girl explaining how she was adopted. Although, it might be a good choice to introduce the idea of adoption to a child, it's gives an anatomical explanation of birth (even uses the word 'uterus') and uses very simplistic language. Not a very interesting storyline, but it is definitely a learning and comprehension experience for kids. The art is incredibly detailed even though the words are not; the illustrations tell much of the story. So bravo to the artist!

[Mina Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I love my mommy and daddy, and they love me. They play with me. They take care of me. And they give me lots of hugs and kisses!"

First of all, the illustrations in this book are absolutely adorable and very visual! The book has a beginning section where it gives tips to adoptive parents, to accept all questions that the child may have and help them to understand that everyone has their own special life story to tell. This book can serve as a great book for parents and children to learn from it and relate to it.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Cole includes a few notes to parents featured in the front of the book. I especially liked her emphasis that each adopted has their own story and this book is just a way to help families and children talk about their stories.

The story is direct, almost factual-like but also addresses that love was the guiding force in the adoption process. I enjoyed the illustrations. Reminded me of Bob Graham's work.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my daughter was very little (i.e. before she could read) I actually never read the actual text of this book to her...I would substitute our adoption story to go along with the pictures. So it was a good tool to introduce the concept of adoption to our kids.

Not as whimsical and sweet as Jamie Lee Curtis' "Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born" but still a wonderful book to open the dialogue about adoption with children.

[Eve Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about adoption. It's clear and concrete, which makes it easy for kids as young as three and four to follow along and ask questions.

What I love most about it is the narrative style - because the narrator is constantly talking to the reader, it engages the child very naturally in telling their own adoption story - thus very clearly communicating that there are so many different adoption stories to tell - as many adoption stories as there are adoptees, in fact.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is specifically addressed to children adopted through an adoption placement agency. I loved that the adopted child was the narrator, that the book talked about how all babies grow in and are born from a woman (but not necessarily the mom you live with), and that it included conversational prompts to the child reader like “How old were you when you were adopted?” “Do you know your adoption story?”

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a front section for parents about having discussions with your adopted child. Within the story are a few questions for your child to answer like "how old were you when you were adopted?" There is a technical discussion of the birthmom including pictures of a uterus and talk about push-push-pushing.

[Brittany N · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl named Amanda shares the story of how she was adopted. Amanda’s parents adopted her when she was born. She loves both of her parents very much and is happy with their decision to adopt. At the end of the book Amanda encourages other young children that were adopted to find out their adoption story. This book would be great when discussing families.

[Megan Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have children who were adopted in your class? This is a good book for them to read. Also, this is a book to read in front of the whole class if they are having questions about their classmate being adopted.

[Tiffany Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl named Amanda shares the story of how she was adopted. This book would be good to use if there are students in your class who have been adopted. It could also be included in a unit on family types/family structures.

[Andrea Retana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would teach children that families can be different. Encourage children to learn their own story, how they were born and how bless they are for being adopted. It is a narrative, informative, and humorous book.

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for children who are adopted, or for children who may have a friend or classmate who has been adopted.

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes into some detail about anatomy and the birthing process. Seems best for school-age children. Wonderful to use as a discussion-starting tool.