Yafi's Family

PreS-Gr 2—In this beautiful, moving book, an Ethiopian boy is adopted and journeys to his new family in Australia. Gilchrist's vibrant full-page illustrations expertly portray the child's strong emotions toward both his birth and adoptive families, as described in the text. Yafi yearns for contact with his aunts, uncles, and especially Grandma Elsa, who cared for him until he was adopted. His adoptive sisters and parents reinforce his happy memories and empathize with his longing for his Ethiopian relatives and friends. His father tells him, "For a long time, your grandma and the neighbors in the village watched over you...but [she] was growing old. Sometimes she didn't have enough food to feed you or medicine to give you when you were sick." Books such as Linda Walvoord Girard's We Adopted you, Benjamin Koo (Albert Whitman, 1989) cover similar territory, but this title is specific to Ethiopia and will particularly appeal to African adoptees seeking a book about children who resemble them. The illustrations offer realistic depictions of the people and are infused with charming warmth. This is an excellent addition to any collection, but especially libraries seeking books about international and transracial adoptions.—Deborah Vose, East Middle School and South Middle School, Braintree, MA