Bringing Asha Home by Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Jamel Akib (Lee & Low, 2006). How Arun aches for the arrival of his adopted baby sister, Asha, expected any day from India. How long it takes! Will Rakhi Day, the Hindu holiday of brothers and sisters, somehow still connect these long-distance siblings? Ages 4-up.

My Thoughts

I’ve read many adoption and/or international adoption stories rooted in the parents’ point of view, and to me, Bringing Asha Home resonates more because it comes from young Arun’s perspective. This one also rings true to life with its emphasis on the long legal and logistical journey of international adoption. The language is lovely, the emotion close to the page. I don’t often become teary while reading picture books, but this one affected me that much.

Preview the story at Lee & Low. Read a Cynsations interview with Uma. See my bibliographies of adoption-related books and books with interracial family themes.

Now check out the review of Bringing Asha Home from Big A little a by Kelly Herold, who cried, too. (Not our fault; it’s that good).