Explaining adoption to a young child can be challenging. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis helps parents simply convey not only what adoption is, but also the feelings many experience as they prepare to meet their child and bring him or her home.

The story begins with a young girl asking her adoptive parents to tell her about the night she was born. Her parents don’t actually tell the story because the little girl knows all the details by heart. Page by page, she begins with a “Tell me again about …” but then recounts the story on her own.

Many topics are covered, including why birth parents choose adoption and the difference between a birth mom and an adoptive mom – one grew the child in her tummy and the other, who was unable to do that, takes care of the child and raises her. The story also talks about getting the call to come to the hospital in the middle of the night, meeting and holding the child for the first time and feeling overprotective on the trip home. Throughout the book, readers will get a sense of the love and joy that accompanies the arrival of a new baby.

The book also features wonderful, colorful illustrations that make it eye-catching and interesting for small kids. There’s a drawing of a bunch of babies in the hospital nursery and one of the adoptive parents holding their new child. One of my favorites is a cute illustration of a newborn baby complete with humorous descriptions of each part, such as the wrinkly toes and "future belly button."

Actress Curtis, an adoptive parent herself, does an amazing job of not only explaining adoption in simple terms, but also making the story fun and captivating for children. I also believe the book can serve as a tool for encouraging questions from adoptees and provoking conversations about the child’s birth family and details of the adoption.

I bought this book for my daughter when she was about two years old and was very pleased and impressed with it. My daughter loved it, and I appreciated that it helped me better explain adoption and give my child a sense of how much she is loved and cherished. I also liked the fact that this story is a board book, so it is durable and small – perfect for tiny hands and active children. I highly recommend Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born to all adoptive parents of young children, as well as grandparents, siblings, teachers and caregivers.

You can purchase Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born on Amazon.com.