Allison

by Allen Say

Book Overview

When Allison tries on the red kimono her grandmother has sent her, she is suddenly aware that she resembles her favorite doll more than she does her mother and father. When her parents try to explain... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039585895X
• ISBN13: 9780395858950
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Walter Lorraine Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.1" x 11.6"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Sensitive Water Colors and Text

This book is the story of a young Asian child who becomes angry and alienated from her Caucasian parents when she recognizes that she has been adopted. Her parents are hurt but unable to help. The situation is resolved when the child takes in an adult stray cat. The child's dawning affection for the cat and her desire to keep it, help her understand the true meaning of family. - Others have objected to this story. However, I liked it. It was simple enough for my daughter to understand and to assimilate. I felt that the cat was not meant to be compared to a child, but instead to convey the understanding that love is unique and that families can be brought together in many ways. The child's 'speaking for the cat' reflects her own, new found, desire to remain part of the family. Her parent's finding ways to rectify damage inflicted on prize possessions from their own childhood reflects their quiet acceptance of their daughter's feelings. The pictures, especially the body language depicted, are wonderful. Not everything can be easily fixed. Not all parents know the best way to help with a sorrow. I feel that this story presents dissillusionment, anger, creativity, conflict, love and a gamut of other emotions pretty well. Perhaps that's why its other reviewers responded with so much feeling. One comment made by another reviewer criticizes the fact that a seemingly Chinese child has a Japanese doll. However, it is my interpretation that none of the subtext represents ignorance on the part of the author, but is rather intended to convey the painful mistakes and complexities of learning to understand and respect one another.

Allison: A cautionary tale

We've read this book many times because my three year old daughter, who left China one year ago, is fascinated by Allison and her doll, Mei Mei, and because we're both drawn to Allen Say's illustrations, which so perfectly capture Allison's emotions. I wondered why Allison's parents had shared so little not only of her country of origin, which is never mentioned, but also about Allison's adoption in particular and adoption in general. Perhaps the real message of this book is to adults who think children can "wait until they're older" to hear their personal stories of adoption.

A beautifully illustrated book that touched my heart.

Once again, Allen Say has captured the spirit of a child through his words and illustrations. One only needs to look into the eyes of Allison in order to see and hear her questions of who she is and where she belongs. This gently woven story of families and adoption will be treasured by many.