From School Library Journal "Relinquishment is the hardest part of adoption to talk about and is often glossed over in children's books. Brodzinsky has chosen to tell the story using a mother bird and baby bird. A young mother bird feeds and protects her baby, noticing that other mothers have mates to help them. Her baby's father is gone. Then a storm breaks her nest, and the baby falls to the ground. She goes to the wise owl for help, and he says the only way to solve her problem is to find a family to love and care for her child. She refuses at first, but then relents, and the owl carries the baby to the chosen shorebird couple. The young mother sees that her child is safe and loved, and sadly flies away forever. The baby hears from its adoptive parents the story of its first mother's love and care. This revision of the original 1986 story is longer, realistically illustrated in watercolors, and reflects changes in adoption practice. Language has been made more inclusive: the baby's need for "a mother and father" becomes its need for "a family." More of the youngster's feelings are included: anger and confusion as well as happiness and sadness." Although open adoption is becoming more the norm in domestic adoption - allowing for contact between birthmother and child - international adoption remains, for the most part, a closed system. This beautifully written book will help thoughtful and heartfelt discussion.