27 years ago, I never knew what this book would mean to me. My parents bought one for my sister and then for me as we were adopted. They read it to us, and we understood as much as any toddler/child could. We knew how the adoption went, and to what ends out parents would go for us. But now I look back on my copy of this book, and smile. We spent a lot of time with it. It is colored in, and written on, and the binding is falling apart. I must have loved this book as much then as I do now. THank you. I'm buying a copy to give to a friend who just adopted a little Korean Boy. I hope he loves it as much as we did.

My parents read this wonderful book to me over 30 years ago, the day they told me I was adopted. I was placed at birth into a very wonderful home. I felt so very loved and cherished by my parents, thanks to this book. I grew up in a military family, moving many times during childhood, and was able to keep this wonderful book, until it was lost in a Hurricaine in 1979. I am so hoping to be able to obtain another copy for our home one day, to share with my daughter the story of adoption as I had learned reading "The Chosen Baby".

I read this book to my adopted children 45 years ago. It was great to find a book that stressed the chosen aspect for them and helped to make them feel like the very special people they were. Now I want a copy to give to a young couple who have recently adopted a little boy. I hope Amazon can help me so I can help someone else.

Brief Synopsis: Spider is such a good speller that his teacherwants him to be in the school's spelling bee. Spider's afraid to bein the spelling bee, because he'd have to stand onstage with lots of people watching. His family tells him that they've been scared to do certain thing, but that he must learn to be brave. He decides to be in the spelling bee. He is not afraid in the end and is a second place winner in the contest.

Note to Teachers: This is a wonderful book for fourth through eighth graders. Even adults would enjoy this book. It is the story of an Indian boy and his family. This book would be a good way to show respect for cultural diversity. Students who participate in the spelling bee would enjoy this book.

There are hundreds of children's books that are about Native Americans, but most of them are folktales and legends - books set in the past. Rarely do we find a top notch picture book about a modern day family. That is exactly what this book is - top notch! Teachers can use it to help their children understand that Native Americans are not exotic, and are not extinct, but living in today's United States. Today, Native people's lives include a blend of elements of their cultural traditions with today's lifestyles.

This is the delightful story of a young girl who needs a gift for her baby cousin. Her only talent seems to be picking buckets of blackberries. She realizes that she can trade her blackberries with a friends who give her wool, spin the wool, and knit the wool into booties. But that's not really a gift she made until she dyes them with blackberries and has the perfect baby gift. The soft watercolor illustrations are the perfect companion to the text.

In 1983 in the village of Anvik, a young Eskimo boy, Kano, must overcome his fear of hunting alone. Story explains how Kano overcomes his fear against the small pox and learns much from his elder. A story of facing one's fears while growing up in Alaska.

Immediately bringing us to a remote, Aleutian island during World War II, The Wind is Not a River is a powerful tale, richly textured by the environment and culture in which it is set. The story is not a simple "adventure" story, as some summaries have purported; the plot is strikingly complex.

The characters, so true to life, are struggling with the echoing words of their grandmother, as they try to escape the Japanese invasion of their village. Their physical challenges are compounded by a profound questioning of ethics. What should they do when they find an unconscious, Japanese soldier? Is their freedom more valuable than their humanity?

For teachers, this story is a fine centerpiece to an interdisciplinary unit on the tundra, providing an accurate look at our generous, sensitive, and courageous neighbors to the north. A must for any teacher serious about providing his/her students with a critical and inspiring education.

I love this story but my son is only 16 months and it doesn't hold his attention as well as some of the other books we bought ("I'm a Big Brother," "The New Baby") to prepare him for becoming a big brother. The story is just beautiful and it reads very well; he's just not interested in it. I think if he was a little older, he might like it better.

This book tells the story of a little boy who, while curled on his Mother's lap, wants to bring all sorts of other objects up with him... until the baby wants to be included. Of course, there's "always room on Mother's lap" which the little boy finds is not only true but a pleasant experience for him as well.

I love the restful illustrations and the ethnic items the young boy wants to have with him on mom's lap. The overall story is one of sweet acceptance and a perfect read for a young older sibling.

This adorable book tells the simple story of a little boy who not only wants to be on Mother's lap (but not little brother!), he wants to pile all his favorite things on her, too. It happens to be set in an Alaskan village, and some items in the room are of interest for those children learning about Alaska. The Mother in the book is very patient and wise, and lets her boy know that "There's always room on Mother's lap." A very sweet and loving book.

This book is nearly 35 years old, but it lacks the stereotypes and disrespectful attitude towards native peoples that characterizes much ethnic fiction of the time. I'm happy to have it in my fifth grade classroom. This is a good companion book to go with Julie of the Wolves.