Teaming up with illustrator Jenn Hall Simpson, Zuri has created a third book in a series focusing on the self-esteem of transracially adopted children. Written in the same lyrical prose of the first two books in the series, What Is a Part of Me? (Black Oasis Ent., 2011) allows young readers to further explore their feelings about being adopted. With an intended audience of 6-10 year olds, this book brings up questions about a child’s birth history, while at the same time reassuring readers that their loving adoptive family is also a part of them.
Questions Young Adoptees Ask
The book gives voice to the possibly unasked questions that children have around their adoptions and permission for parents to answer them honestly. Building upon the themes of the two books already in the series, Why Can’t You Look Like Me? (Black Oasis Ent., 2009) and Where Do I Belong? (Black Oasis Ent., 2009), Zuri uses this book to help readers explore the underlying questions common in adoption.
By boldly stating “There had to be another mother, is she still there today?” and “You wanted to bring me here, would you explain to me why?”, Zuri sets the perfect stage for parents to talk about details of the child’s adoption and also feelings surrounding the experience.
Points of Discussion for Adoption Support and Mentor Groups
Given the complex theme of the book, this resource should be a parent-child read, or if read independently, followed-up with an honest discussion where other questions might arise. The last page of What Is a Part of Me? contains several questions to help adoptive families further explore the themes in the story and relate it to their child’s experience. For example:
- Why do you think the young girl’s family couldn’t look after her?
- What is the girl talking about when she says answering her questions helps her heal? What is she healing from?
- What makes the young girl feel strong within herself?
The questions could also serve as a valuable resource for adoption support and mentor groups to help explore common feelings and experiences in adoption.
About Author Ola Zuri
Adopted by Caucasian parents with her twin sister at the age of two, Canadian author Zuri has made it her mission to help adoptees with self-esteem issues. While growing up, her questions about adoption and race were minimized, making it difficult for her to have a strong identity as either an adoptee or a black person. Through her books, mentoring program and her blog, Zuri is helping transracial adoptive families and adoption professionals understand how an adoptee’s self-esteem is negatively impacted if there is not an open and continuous discussion of all aspects of a child’s identity, beginning in early childhood.
What Is a Part of Me? is a helpful resource for transracial adoptive families as it articulates some of the thoughts and feelings of adoptees, making it easier to find starting points for adoption talks. By having these important conversations, adoptive families are working towards fulfilling Zuri’s mission of helping adoptees explore their multiple identities and ultimately, finding a way of believing in themselves.
Source:
Zuri, Ola. What Is a Part of Me? Kelowna, British Columbia: Black Oasis Ent., 2011 (ISBN: 978-0-9812073-4-6).
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
