Wednesday, November 28, 2007

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

24 comments:

JoAnn in NJ said...

I love the idealist fantasy you have going on, girl! I truly hope its your reality...it is sure not ours!

Kelsey does love her books though. thanks for giving us a lowdown on Mia's library, there's a few I don't have :)

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

The Motherbridge... have you heard the reading of the story by Amy Tan? I have the link on my site... it is so nice to listen to it... I love all the books... take care.

t~ said...

I don't have any of those top 3 or the Motherbridge of Love and I want all of them. I love your vision... (snicker, snicker)

OziMum said...

I have at least half the books you have! I saw on Lisa's blog (UTAH Lisa) a fantastic book called GOOD MORNING CHINA, illustrated by famous Chinese artist Hu Yong Yi. I defnitely intend on getting this one! And know I'll add the Chinese ABCs to my list!!!

Thanks for sharing! I'm a book-ho too!

Donna said...

Boy, you are more than ready in the book department! We have many of your books and our special favorite is Mama's Wish...Emma and I love reading that one!

Middle-Aged Moi said...

I have never seen that last book....looks like something I NEEEED!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I am saving this post so I know what books I need to go get. I have a few of them but you have some beautiful ones posted!!

Unknown said...

we are collecting boooks as well and buy one on the 23rd of everymonth to recognize our LID!

~Kristen said...

Wow... Thats a wonderful collection. I especially Love that last book. Will have to look for that one!

C's Mom said...

I can't help myself.....you set it up. So I'll say it - "nice rack" Hahahhahaha...it really is a nice rack though.

Love the bookage. I have many of those but not all. I, too, look forward to reading them to my teenager ;0)

Like you, I seem to have developed ADD lately and just can't focus on reading big girl books. Sad, I used to love it so much.

Catherine said...

What a great selection of books! I had a couple, some were on my wish list and I added a few more too.

Thanks for the great list!

TBG Happenings said...

hey girlie,

Hmmm looks like an need to add some books to our collection. Sophie loves to be read to, and so will your Mia!

My mom sent sophie a book called "on the night you were born" by Nanyc Tillman. Although it isn't a "china" book I just love it. Since we don't know anything about the night Sophie was born this book is just so sweet "On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, Life will never be the same." You got to check it out. I love it, it does not talk about family but magical things that I am sure happen every time a baby is born.

We miss you!

smooches from Sophie xoxoxo

Kim said...

Only one I have is I love you like crazy cakes.
But I plan on getting some of those..
Thanks for showing them...
Have a Great Week
Kim

4D said...

I have that same passion for reading and similar dream. I hope it comes partly true!

I have a lot of those books, some are on my wish list and others are being addded now!

Keep smilin!

Tasha Kent said...

ooooh. great list of books. Thanks!

redmaryjanes said...

Oh my word, those are gorgeous. I only have Crazycakes. I have to get a better collection. Thank you for sharing and giving me some books to look for.

~ Alison said...

Mali's got a whole bunch of those books, and a few more of them on her Xmas list this year - the child LOVES to read.

I've gotta warn you - I've found one big problem with a lot of those adoption books: I can't get through some of them without becoming emotional. & then I can't finish them. Honest. I've been working on it, but it's hard. Mali's destined to think I'm a freak ;-)

Oh . . . & your vision? It's do-able. Moments (exactly) like that certainly don't happen every day, but when they do happen, they melt your heart on the spot =)

RamblingMother said...

I took the When you Were Born In China book with me to China and had some of the orphanage staff sign notes to Glenys in it. Then I had our guide translate the notes. Just something to think about. I have most of these China adoption related and just China childrens book like The Chinese Cinderella: Yeh Shen and Lon Po Po and Ping about a duck that almost becomes dinner for not minding.

Beverly

Briana's Mom said...

Thanks for sharing! I have a few of those books, but I really want the new ones you recommended, especially the Motherbridge of love.

Right now, Briana can sit still for a little while and listen to a book, and as she gets older, she will be able to sit longer.

You will have wonderful moments like that with Mia!

wzgirl said...

Dude - you've got quite a collection. The Motherbridge book was passed around at a baby shower I attended recently & I had to put it down b/c I could feel the tears wanting to come....

PS - I LOVE that book "shelf" thing - that is awesome.

K. said...

Thanks for sharing all of these wonderful books!

Shannon said...

Mia sounds like she will be Ellie's twin! haha
Totally laughed about your "at least one copy of Crazy Cakes!" True dat.
How about Kids Like Me in CHina by Ying Ying Fry?

Liz and Ava said...

I have a few of those books for Ava...but have added the rest to my list. Have asked everyone to give her gift certificates for Chapters for Christmas as she already has enough toys.
Will be putting my order in at Chapters in the new year.

Donna said...

The author of Mama's Wish/Daughter's Wish is a single mom; she was in my travel group almost 9 years ago. The book is extra special to us because we are able to identify one of the families on the plane as our own. Debbie recently returned to China for her second daughter. I need to check out the Motherbridge book.