The first book in a series by Canadian writer Ola Zuri and illustrator Jenn Simpson, Why Can’t You Look Like Me? (Black Oasis Ent., 2009) aims to fill a void in adoption books for kids. Stemming from Zuri’s own childhood need for a book such as this, Why Can’t You Look Like Me? focuses on how transracial adoption can affect a child’s self-esteem.
A Children’s Story From a Transracial Adoptee’s Perspective
The author was adopted at a very young age by Caucasian parents and struggled with her Black identity throughout her childhood, despite being adopted with her biological sister. This experience led her to write a series of books to help today’s adoptees so they do not have to go through the pain and confusion she felt as a child.
Being one of the few children’s books written by a transracial adoptee, Zuri’s first book is about a little girl who does not feel that she fits in either at home or at school. She is teased at school about her physical appearance and she feels sad that no one else looks like her.
The story changes when another child who looks like her moves to town and the character realizes she is not alone in the world. The kids stop teasing her and this friendship gives the character the confidence of truly being herself.
Adoption Book Focuses on Self-Esteem and Race
Illustrated by Jenn Simpson with vivid cartoon character illustrations, the rhyming English text and French translation of Why Can’t You Look Like Me? are easy to read, making it both a quick read-aloud book and an appropriate early reader story.
Zuri is successful in creating a story that appeals to six- to nine-year-olds who are developing a greater awareness of their own adoption and racial differences. Her use of the first person to help readers identify with the main character is very effective as it keeps young readers engaged.
Although the character is assumed to be Black, the message of the story appeals to adoptees of all cultural backgrounds. The simple questions asked in the brief introduction prepare readers to relate to the story personally and brings up the central theme of not fitting in.
Children’s Book Creates Discussion About Transracial Adoption
Complete with questions for reflection and discussion at the end of the book, Why Can’t You Look Like Me? makes it easy for adoptive parents to bring up transracial adoption issues with their child. Parents will likely need to initiate discussions on self-confidence with their young adoptee as connecting the messages of believing in oneself and the need to fit in may be missed by kids of the intended age group.
Also, adoptive parents may not believe that these differences still exist as they did during Zuri’s childhood and may not see the need for such a story on their child’s book shelf. However, an adoptee mentoring program created by the author finds that the issues of self-confidence, racial identity and fitting in are still very apparent among young Canadian adoptees.
Providing a gentle introduction to the complexities of being a transracial adoptee, readers will find Why Can’t You Look Like Me? a memorable and valuable resource for adoptive families. For more information on transracial adoption read Review – Where Do I Belong? by Ola Zuri, Canadian Transracial Adoption Blogs and Pros and Cons of Transracial Adoption.
Source:
Zuri, Ola. Why Can’t You Look Like Me? Kelowna, BC: Black Oasis Ent., 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-9812073-1-5).
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
