Adoption Book Review: When I Met You

A Story of Russian Adoption

When I Met You - A Story of Russian Adoption is a beautiful story that acknowledges a little girl's past in the Russian orphanage as well as her new home: the food she ate, the language she spoke, and an image of her birth mother. The last sentence states it very well, "You will always be Russia's child. But now, you are also mine." The book also includes a little glossary with words written in Russian and English followed by the Russian pronunciation.

Illustrations

Illustrated by water color artist Chrisine Sykes, When I Met You is the first book she has illustrated that deals with adoption. The illustrations for this special book are soft and beautiful.

Sykes has been an artist for more than twenty years and has focused her career on children's books. She received her Masters Degree in Illustration from Syracuse University.

About the Author

Adrienne Ehlert Bashista decided to write When I Met You while adopting their son from Russia. They looked for a book to read to their older son, but couldn't find what they were looking for. Bashista decided to write her own.

Bashista lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina with her family. She is the mother to two boys. "When I Met You" is her first book.

Final Thoughts and More Information

When I Met You - A Story of Russian Adoption offers more than your typical children's book about adoption including information about Russia, the child's likes before and after adoption, and an image of the child's birth mother. I like the reality that this book brings. It is presented in a way that is not too much for a young child to understand. I also like the short glossary of words at the end.

I definitely recommend When I Met You. Families touched by Russian adoption will enjoy the beautiful illustrations and the acceptance of the child's country and past.

When I Met You - A Story of Russian Adoption is recommended for children ages 4-8.

(Published by DRT Press, 2004
ISBN 1-933084-00-6