Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
 Like "Crazy Cakes" for Russian kids September 28, 2005
Joanne Watson (California, USA)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
Before this book came out the book that best captured the emotions of adopting our daughter was "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes". It's a beautiful book, but it's about adopting a child from China - not from Russia. Finally, we have our own book about Russian adoption that sums up the love I feel for my daughter in language simple enough for her to understand.
The thing I like best about this book is it serves as a jumping-off point for discussions about my daughter's past as well as for Russian culture. Since my daughter is only two, we don't have to get too complicated when we talk about her start in the orphanage, but I anticipate when she gets older we can use the book to get as in-depth as she needs us to be.
This is a must-buy for every adoptive parent of a Russian child.
Simple, comforting story August 11, 2005
Callie Smith (Winchester, MA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
This book is a really simple, comforting story about a child's adoption from Russia. I really disagree with the reviewer who said it denigrates orphanages - it is very straightforward and factual, talking about differences in food, how children live in orphanages (with a gruppa) and how they sleep (in cribs lined up against the wall). It's opened up all kinds of conversations about what like was like for my son in his specific orphanage when we met him - and if she got more specific then we probably wouldn't be having that kind of conversation. It also allows for the parents to decide what to share, when. If the parent wants to paint a happy picture of the orphanage, emphasizing the positive, then she can. There's nothing in the book that passes judgement.
I'm so glad there's a book like this available for our kids!
Beautiful August 11, 2005
Michelle Gorra
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
My children love the beautiful illustrations and the touching story. The story is a wonderful tool for talking about the topic of adoption on a level that is appropriate for young children. I would recommend this book for any family that has adopted or for families who have friends who have adopted.
Touching and lovely tribute to international adoption August 11, 2005
Grandpa Mac (Orofino, Idaho)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
It's wonderful that adopted children can hear stories like this one. "When I Met You" is from the American mother's perspective, comparing her adopted daughter's life in the Russian orphanage as a toddler, to her life as a child in an American family, as an older child. Adrienne Bashista is very respectful of the Russian heritage of the child, in fact I get the feeling that she wrote it so her own child would know something about his early experiences. This is a book from the heart, a loving gift to children adopted from Russia. Visually it's gorgeous - the artwork of Christine Sykes flows from page to page, evoking joy and love.
A picturebook based on Bashista's own family experience June 13, 2005
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
The collaborative work of author Adrienne Bashista and illustrator Christine Sykes, When I Met You: A Story Of Russian Adoption is a picturebook based on Bashista's own family experience in describing a little girl's life before and after she was adopted from Russia by an American family. From scenes in the Russian orphanage to the birth mother, When I Met You is a unique chronicle of the special background of abandoned or orphaned children adopted from Russia. Syke's 36 delicate watercolor artworks provides a superbly visual enhancement of a story that is as entertaining for young readers as it is informative and thoughtful. When I Met You is a welcome addition to school and community library picturebook collections, and especially recommended reading for children from families who are themselves adopted or who have adopted siblings.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
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