Mommy Far, Mommy Near

Peacock, Carol Antionette. Mommy Far, Mommy Near: An Adoption Story. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company, 2000. Print.
In a story narrated by a young adoptee, we learn about the struggles that come in all aspects of adoption. Elizabeth tells her story of the journey she takes with her mother to explore her adoption from China. We see interactions between Elizabeth and her mother, as well as Elizabeth with her sister, who is also adopted from China. They play games that bring about many questions, showing the reality of struggles that face adoptive families. From the moment she learns that she has two mothers, Elizabeth is filled with emotion and questions. Peacock does a great job to show that while all of the answers may not be there, both mothers love the child—and that they are normal and very much part of a family. This picture book addresses many issues of adoption in such a manner that it is not daunting for a child to read. By addressing the fact that she has two mommies, Elizabeth helps tackle the confusion and misunderstanding that adoptees may feel. Issues seen in this book are monumental, particularly for families of international adoptees—particularly those from China. This book’s sole flaw is that it uses China’s “one child policy” to explain Elizabeth’s adoption. This may be seen by other adoptees as the only reason they have been “given up” or “abandoned” by their birth parents. The use of this theory is given the band-aid of the fact that Elizabeth’s birth mother still loved her very much. This book is recommended to all adoptive families and even birth mothers, as it give insight into how the children feel, helps parents explain adoption and it also shows birth mothers in a very positive light.