snyds_'s review against another edition
3.0
This book is about a boy who is learning to adapt to his new life, after he is adopted by two fathers. The story itself is really good - some heavier parts where the main character struggles but it's also a story of perseverance and patience. The illustrations were hard to connect with, as they are somewhat unfocused.
theybedax's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a sweet, touching story about two dads and a great puppy adopt a wonderful kid named Lester!
falconerreader's review against another edition
5.0
I just read this to my ten year old, and both of us were quietly stunned by how many notes it hit.
I love that the family includes two dads, without a big deal being made about it. My daughter said, "Oh, two dads--so they're gay, okay." "Window" representation is super important, and I want her to get comfortable with all types of families.
The rest, though, was all mirror. The chaotic childhood. The months of waiting and paperwork. The night fears. The ongoing attempt to protect oneself, because one doesn't feel safe even in this safe and loving home. The temper-losing parent, strung out on lack of sleep and what feels like defiant behavior. I can't even really describe how familiar it felt, even though the details of our lives are different.
When our kids came home, we slept in their rooms for I don't know how long. Months. We'd been told that if we nurtured this need, they would outgrow it, but if we refused to honor the "missed steps" of their childhood, those things would become issues. Eventually they got to the point where if we stayed until they were asleep, we could then steal out and sleep in our own bed, together. Then we just had to lay down with them for awhile. Then tuck them in after a lengthy evening routine. Now one kid just wants me to come in and say goodnight, while the other wants to be tucked in and given a kiss. So that piece of advice has paid off well, and I so wanted to shout it to the well meaning dads in this book.
This book might not mean much to most families, but it's definitely a right-fit book for mine.
I love that the family includes two dads, without a big deal being made about it. My daughter said, "Oh, two dads--so they're gay, okay." "Window" representation is super important, and I want her to get comfortable with all types of families.
The rest, though, was all mirror. The chaotic childhood. The months of waiting and paperwork. The night fears. The ongoing attempt to protect oneself, because one doesn't feel safe even in this safe and loving home. The temper-losing parent, strung out on lack of sleep and what feels like defiant behavior. I can't even really describe how familiar it felt, even though the details of our lives are different.
When our kids came home, we slept in their rooms for I don't know how long. Months. We'd been told that if we nurtured this need, they would outgrow it, but if we refused to honor the "missed steps" of their childhood, those things would become issues. Eventually they got to the point where if we stayed until they were asleep, we could then steal out and sleep in our own bed, together. Then we just had to lay down with them for awhile. Then tuck them in after a lengthy evening routine. Now one kid just wants me to come in and say goodnight, while the other wants to be tucked in and given a kiss. So that piece of advice has paid off well, and I so wanted to shout it to the well meaning dads in this book.
This book might not mean much to most families, but it's definitely a right-fit book for mine.
chachacenteno's review against another edition
4.0
Love the story's concept. I wish it was more storytime friendly. Changes in an environment can be challenging for some children. The author portrays this in a well. Yay for an LGBTQ children's book.
spellingbat's review against another edition
3.0
Two fathers help their newly adopted son realize he has found a forever home, not by letting him sleep in their bed at night like he would like, but by letting the family dog sleep with him to keep him company.
Also shows some of the initial stages as an adopted family of non-infants comes together.
Also shows some of the initial stages as an adopted family of non-infants comes together.
crystal_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Daddy Rich and Daddy Albert have adopted a young child who is having some trouble adjusting to the new house. He feels alone in his room and he keeps his things ready in case he needs to leave. It takes a while for his fathers to understand the extent of his worries, but they do all they can to provide reassurance. This is a story of family love.
tashrow's review
5.0
Lester is adopted by Daddy Rich and Daddy Albert, who pick him up with their dog Wincka once the adoption is formalized. They head home, put Lester’s new clothes away. But when Daddy Albert tries to put Lester’s suitcase in the attic, Lester shows them that it is full of his action figures and insists that they have to stay right in the suitcase in his room. Lester is happy during the day, playing with his toys and spending time with his new fathers. At night though, he packs up his suitcase and stands near his fathers’ bed. This happens night after night, despite cocoa and toast, singing songs, and explanations that Lester is safe. Finally, one of the fathers loses his temper with the situation and then Lester really opens up about what he is worried about. A solution to the problem is found by Wincka, the dog, who was listening to Lester’s story too.
This was the book that Williams was working on when she died. Raschka had been involved from the beginning with the book and completed the vision that Williams had shared with him. Williams captures the deep-seated fear that adopted children can have, the understanding at one level of newfound family love but also the change that comes at night where fears become larger. Williams also shows two loving gay men, both delighted to be fathers and each different from the other. The two of them together parent Lester with kindness and concern and deep love.
Raschka finished the book, basing his art on sketches by Williams. His large colorful illustrations have a loose feel that ranges across the page, capturing both the mayhem of a family short on sleep but also the warmth of that family too. His watercolors convey deep emotions from the frustrations of sleepless nights to the power of coming together afterwards. All is beautifully shown on the page.
A tribute to adoptive families, LGBT couples who adopt and the importance of love and patience, this picture book is a grand finale to the many books by Williams. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
This was the book that Williams was working on when she died. Raschka had been involved from the beginning with the book and completed the vision that Williams had shared with him. Williams captures the deep-seated fear that adopted children can have, the understanding at one level of newfound family love but also the change that comes at night where fears become larger. Williams also shows two loving gay men, both delighted to be fathers and each different from the other. The two of them together parent Lester with kindness and concern and deep love.
Raschka finished the book, basing his art on sketches by Williams. His large colorful illustrations have a loose feel that ranges across the page, capturing both the mayhem of a family short on sleep but also the warmth of that family too. His watercolors convey deep emotions from the frustrations of sleepless nights to the power of coming together afterwards. All is beautifully shown on the page.
A tribute to adoptive families, LGBT couples who adopt and the importance of love and patience, this picture book is a grand finale to the many books by Williams. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
falconerreader's review
5.0
I just read this to my ten year old, and both of us were quietly stunned by how many notes it hit.
I love that the family includes two dads, without a big deal being made about it. My daughter said, "Oh, two dads--so they're gay, okay." "Window" representation is super important, and I want her to get comfortable with all types of families.
The rest, though, was all mirror. The chaotic childhood. The months of waiting and paperwork. The night fears. The ongoing attempt to protect oneself, because one doesn't feel safe even in this safe and loving home. The temper-losing parent, strung out on lack of sleep and what feels like defiant behavior. I can't even really describe how familiar it felt, even though the details of our lives are different.
When our kids came home, we slept in their rooms for I don't know how long. Months. We'd been told that if we nurtured this need, they would outgrow it, but if we refused to honor the "missed steps" of their childhood, those things would become issues. Eventually they got to the point where if we stayed until they were asleep, we could then steal out and sleep in our own bed, together. Then we just had to lay down with them for awhile. Then tuck them in after a lengthy evening routine. Now one kid just wants me to come in and say goodnight, while the other wants to be tucked in and given a kiss. So that piece of advice has paid off well, and I so wanted to shout it to the well meaning dads in this book.
This book might not mean much to most families, but it's definitely a right-fit book for mine.
I love that the family includes two dads, without a big deal being made about it. My daughter said, "Oh, two dads--so they're gay, okay." "Window" representation is super important, and I want her to get comfortable with all types of families.
The rest, though, was all mirror. The chaotic childhood. The months of waiting and paperwork. The night fears. The ongoing attempt to protect oneself, because one doesn't feel safe even in this safe and loving home. The temper-losing parent, strung out on lack of sleep and what feels like defiant behavior. I can't even really describe how familiar it felt, even though the details of our lives are different.
When our kids came home, we slept in their rooms for I don't know how long. Months. We'd been told that if we nurtured this need, they would outgrow it, but if we refused to honor the "missed steps" of their childhood, those things would become issues. Eventually they got to the point where if we stayed until they were asleep, we could then steal out and sleep in our own bed, together. Then we just had to lay down with them for awhile. Then tuck them in after a lengthy evening routine. Now one kid just wants me to come in and say goodnight, while the other wants to be tucked in and given a kiss. So that piece of advice has paid off well, and I so wanted to shout it to the well meaning dads in this book.
This book might not mean much to most families, but it's definitely a right-fit book for mine.
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