Adoption Books with Beautiful Art: Over Land and Sea: a Story of International Adoption

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

12 Jan 2008 02:52 PM

Books showing children of color are becoming more common, but books showing multiracial families are still relatively rare. So books that show multiracial adoptive families with gorgeous artwork, while giving a sensitive and accurate portrayal of adoption, are a real find.

Many families will find themselves reflected in Over Land and Sea: a Story of International Adoption. This book is one of my new "absolutely favorite things". This book is one of my new "absolutely favorite things", largely because of its stunning artwork.

Author Steven Layne is a father of three children who were internationally adopted. The simple story-"hey, I can read this!" exclaimed my young daughter-begins with pictures of children enjoying nature. The text says, "Everything in life has a beginning. Fragrant flowers begin as seeds...Your family began with a seed, too. A seed of love planted and nurtured in the hearts of two people-your mom and dad!

"Across the miles, over land and sea, your parents journeyed...driven by love, nourished by home, and sustained by faith. They came to find YOU and bring you home."

The book tells the child how he/she was welcomed by friends and family, and especially spoiled with attention from grandparents-but who could blame them? "You were their new grandchild!"

The book shows simple scenes in the new family's life-from books to bottles to diaper changes and naps, to siblings playing. The book ends with parents tucking their children into bed, then praying for the children and giving thanks for the unselfish love of people "over land and sea" which changed the lives of these children and their forever parents.

The exquisite illustrations are oil paintings by Jan Bower. They feature children who look like they could be from Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Africa. I especially appreciated two paintings which feature siblings of different races. One painting shows two Caucasian parents with one apparently adopted from Asia and one from Latin America. The other shows a Caucasian mother reading with a preschooler who resembles the mother and a toddler who is Asian. One of the children has the scar from a repaired cleft lip, relatively common in children adopted from Asia. The painting shows the child's beauty and could be a real self-esteem builder for children with facial differences.

The places in the scenes illustrating the parents' journey to bring the children home are not named, but look to me like Vietnam and Russia. The other scenes in the book are generic enough to be anywhere.

Please see these related blogs:

Kids' Books Starring Internationally Adopted Children

Children's Books on Adoption from China

Adoption Books for Children: Focus on Korea and Vietnam

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

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