Book Title: Dumplings Mean Family by Jennifer Shaw
Category: Children's Non-Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: This Side Up LLC
Release Date: May 2021
Tour dates: November 15 to November 30
Content Rating: G.
Many of our posts contain affiliate links.
Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.
Telly Award -winning artist Jennifer Shaw's new children's book, “Dumplings Mean Family,” is told from her son Ethan’s perspective as he shares what it was like to join their family after his adoption.
“When Ethan and his siblings are adopted from China to the United States, everything seems so strange and different. Their new American family doesn't even know how to make Chinese food! The children are worried. Will they ever get to eat their favorite meals again? For Ethan's family, embracing two cultures means learning to fold and pinch their way to dumplings that taste like home.”
Truly a family project, Jennifer’s oldest daughter, Rinnah, served as illustrator for this heartwarming book celebrating the truth that families can be strong and united when they commit to loving each other for who they truly are. As Ethan says, “We may be different in some ways, but we are one family!”
Read a Guest Post
Having traveled overseas and visited many orphanages, my husband and I discovered that older children almost never get adopted, and children who have medical issues were in the same category. It simply broke our hearts seeing kids who would live their entire childhoods inside an orphanage. We knew we couldn’t change this reality for all the kids we encountered, but we could for some, and so we entered the journey of international adoption. I have people ask me about the adoption process and one thing I always tell them is you need to be thinking in terms of families for children, not children for families. This is really the opposite of how most people think about adoption. Many people start by thinking that they would like a child or looking for a child who will fit into their life or improve their life. With international adoption, adopting babies is almost non-existent. Many people have an outdated idea of bringing home a healthy baby girl from China, but that doesn't happen anymore. China is almost entirely a special needs program with two-thirds waiting boys. Most international adoption programs are predominantly special needs. When considering international adoption, especially with older kids, people need to be thinking, "Are we the right family for this child? Can we give this child the parenting and resources they need?" It should be child centered. People need to respect the fact that culture is a big deal and support their children in keeping that part of their identity. And people need to be prepared for kids coming from a background of trauma and that there may be "surprise" or undisclosed medical and emotional needs as well.
Buy the Book
Meet the Author
connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram
Enter the Giveaway
DUMPLINGS MEAN FAMILY Book Tour Giveaway
0 Comments