Mia's Growing Library

I love books. I have great memories as a kid of sitting and reading. Getting lost for hours in other worlds. I still love to read. But don't seem to have the time for it as much as I'd like. And honestly, although I have a great fondness for sitting around on my arse, lately I've had a very short attention span. So not much reading going on.

But I hope to encourage the love of reading to Mia. I plan on being the mom who reads bedtime stories. I already have a big cushy chair picked out for the nursery. I have visions of the two of us curled up in that chair. Mia in her penguin pj's sitting on my lap while I read to her. And of course she sits still, not ripping pages, all snuggled up with me, listening intently to the story. Then I give her a kiss goodnight and lay her down to sleep without a fuss. Where she sleeps peacefully through the entire night and wakes promptly at 7:15am in the most fantastic mood. 9am on the weekends. Hey....it's my vision. I can fantasize it any way I like. LOL!

Along the way, I've picked up books here and there. Sometimes there's just a really great sale (which is always a good reason to shop). Some have been from second hand stores. I've found some really nice board books there. Sometimes I see one that I just have to have right that second. And some have been gifts. But Mia's library is growing. And I love it.

There's going to be a special place in Mia's room for China books. I've already bought the coolest book rack from PB. Click the link to see it. It will hold the important books.... out of reach of little hands.

Here are her newest arrivals. "China ABC's" came highly recommended from Jazzie & Thalia. Maryellen had "Three Names of Me" as a gift for someone else. But I got to check it out while she was here and fell in love with it. It's a beautiful story about an adopted Chinese girl who has the western name her adopted parents gave her, the Chinese name her orphanage nannies gave her and the name her birthmother whispered to her when she was born that she can't remember but keeps hidden away in her heart. "Families are Forever" was my gift from Maryellen. It's written from the perspective of a 6 yr old girl telling her story of being adopted from China by her single mom. Thanks Mare!
I'd heard buzz of "Motherbridge of Love" floating around the internet lately. So I decided that I'd add that to Mia's collection also. I'm so glad I did. It's absolutely breathtaking. I can't recommend it enough. It's an adaptation of this poem which I've always loved. The illustrations are beautiful. Love love love this book! And the mom looks kinda like me. Well, we both have long hair at least. LOL!
These are some of our other China specific books. "Shaoey & Dot" I got at a discount store for $4! "Happy New Year" was in the donation bin at the place where I work my second job. They give the books away when they have too many. I couldn't believe it when I was digging through and found it. Jackpot! "When You Were Born In China" and "Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragonboats" were gifts from Mia's grandma.

What China adoptive mom doesn't have at least one copy of "I Love You Like Crazy Cakes"? I think I'm up to about four right now. LOL! And the follow up from the same author is "Every Year On Your Birthday". Another great book.

This is another of my favorites. "Mama's Wish/Daughter's Wish" is another beautifully illustrated book. One side of the book is written from the mom's perspective and if you flip it over the other side was written by her 4 yr old daughter.
It's doesn't specifically say in the story that mom is single but there's no mention of a dad. So it fits us well. But it's a beautiful story of a woman's wish to be a mother and would appeal to all types of families.
I love how it shows mom swooning over her referral pics and showing them to anyone who'll listen to her.

Then looking a little stressed while packing and flying on the plane to China......

until her bundled up daughter is finally placed in her arms!

It's a very sweet book. There's a red banner at the bottom of every page in honor of the Chinese proverb very popular amongst adopters about the *Red Thread. The banner shows the story translated into Mandarin. I love this book!

What's your favorite adoption or China related book?

* For my family & friends who may not be aware of all the red thread-ladybug worship that is prevalent amongst the China adoption community here's what I'm talking about.

"An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." - Chinese Proverb