Sweet Moon Baby

October 18, 2010
Debuting author Clark suggests that the ambivalent feelings surrounding adoption may be best handled by a fairy tale. Only a whiff of sadness is allowed to intrude on the idyll of "sweet moon baby," who sleeps contentedly as her Chinese parents—clearly loving—agree that they cannot raise her: " ‘She should have pretty things,' the mother said. ‘She should learn to read,' the father said." They send her down the river in a basket ("Only good things will happen to our daughter," they reassure each other), where creatures care for her along the way until she is found by a red-haired man and his wife, who come looking for her in a boat of their own. " ‘Perhaps she will like pretty things,' the wife said. ‘Perhaps she will like books,' the husband said." Each of Barton's spreads is full of comforting notes: the girl's tranquil face, the gentle landscapes, the smiling moon. While some parents may feel uneasy with the story's fantasy elements, others will welcome the affirming images it provides for families with adopted children. Ages 5–8.

October 15, 2010

This dreamlike tale is, above all else, a love story. A baby girl is born in China, and her parents, too poor to care for her, place her in a basket in the river and trust her to the care of the moon. The basket is helped along its journey by many creatures, while the baby tucked inside sleeps on (in many different positions, all adorable). Meanwhile, a presumably American couple dreams of a daughter, preparing for her arrival until one night they feel called to begin their own fantastical journey. They find the baby in the river and carry her home with them. Although this is an idealistic, romantic adoption tale, a bit of realism surfaces with both sets of parents described as "happy and sad at the same time." Aside from some troublesome gender stereotypes—while the fathers worry about the girl having enough to eat and books to read, the mothers are most concerned that she have "pretty things"—this lyrical story of destiny and love, as interpreted in Barton's playful, textured illustrations, is a triumph. (Picture book. 5-8)

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January 1, 2011

PreS-K-A lyrical fantasy about a Chinese infant's magical trip to her adoptive parents. Her birth parents declare her "perfect," but are unable to provide for her. Thus they place her in a basket and set her adrift: "We must trust the moon. Only good things will happen to our daughter." Helped by a variety of animals as well as a beneficent-looking moon, the baby girl floats down the "winding river" to her adoptive parents, who have been preparing for her arrival by planting vegetables and trees, building a new bedroom, and buying books. Their hands are shown parting reeds to reveal her smiling up at them from her basket. The vibrant watercolors capture her journey and her delight in her new family and home. Although most youngsters will understand that the journey on the river is a fantasy, adults should be prepared for questions from literal-minded children who may wonder why a baby had to make a solitary voyage and depend on the kindness of wild animals in order to reach her destination. Ann Turner's Through Moon and Stars and Night Sky (Harper, 1990) also features poetic language and tells the story from the child's point of view. Clark's book would be a good choice where demand for adoption stories, especially those about international adoption, is strong.-Deborah Vose, East Middle School and South Middle School, Braintree, MA

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