definitely dated. focused on open adoption by two parents. addresses common question for adoptees. may use and write our story over it....

Morgan is a little girl who knows she is adopted. She asks her mom if her 'first mother' loved her. When her mother answers in the affirmative, Morgan asks to be read a letter her birth mother wrote to her.

Through the words of a young pregnant woman, the reader learns of the day Morgan's birth mother realized she was going to have a baby; how she felt the baby moving inside her and the difficult decision to find a family who could love and care for her. Morgan realizes she is loved by her adoptive family and her first mother.

With gentle words and black and white pencil artwork, Did My First Mother Love Me is a story that is simple but one that conveys the love that often goes into making the decision to release a child for adoption. While one book and one discussion will not make an adopted child stop wondering and asking questions, this book will make the discussions easier.

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In this book, the girl asks her (adoptive) mother, "Did my first mother love me?" The mother answers by reading a letter written by the birth mother. This simple but loving book allows adopted children to see how they could be loved by two mothers. This is very domestic adoption specific, but could be used to discuss an international adoption as well.

The downside is that it does not cover any specific negative scenarios that are very likely to occur in adoptions. It poses a very basic adoption scenario where the birth mother made a loving choice and adoption plan. Unfortunately, this may not match the reality of a child's adoption story. An adoptive parent can at least use this book as a starting point for their discussion with their child.

A story written about a girl who wants to know if her birth mother loved her. Good for talking about family dynamics and adoption. Also, the story was written as a letter from the birthmother to the baby. I think this is an interesting technique that my students may use during writing.

Mostly the whole text of the story comes from a letter written to the girl who has been adopted from her birth mother. It reassures the girl that she was loved by her first mother and shows some of the birth mother's experience in choosing adoption. It is not quite as detailed as The Mulberry Bird making this appropriate for younger children to early elementary age.

Summary: Morgan knows that she is adopted and that her parents love her, but she wonders if her first mother loved her. Her adopted mother reads the letter that Morgan's birth mother wrote her. It describes how much she loved Morgan and all the things she wished for her child. Unfortunately, the birth mother could provide those things, but she still loves Morgan very much.

Uses: recommend to a parent if you see a child struggle with the issue

Literary Devices: repetition, varying voices, simile

Social issues: adoption

Other: This text was written to help parents talk about the issue with their children. Suggest to parents before giving it to a student.

This is written from a First Mother (Birth Mother) to her child she placed for adoption. I loved the way it affirmed that she loved her child but wanted her child to have a different life than she could offer. This book validates First/Birth Mothers and depicts her has a champion for her child while showing some of the various emotions she feels during her pregnancy and at the thought of not being the one to raise her daughter.

This is a great book to have in your classroom library. Students who are adopted will be able to relate to the book. It reassures students who have been adopted that they are loved. The book also shows a different type of family and that not all families have to look a certain way.

this book is a letter from the birthmom to her baby, telling her about all the things she wished for her and how much she loved her. good book for when Haze has questions about her birthmom, to go with the emails and letters from Arlianne.

This third-person narrative is about an adopted child wondering if her birth mother loved her. The main character, Morgan, is a young girl who asks her adoptive mom to read to her the letter her "first mother" wrote to her after her mom reassures her that "of course (her first mother) did." Kathryn Ann Miller, who wrote this book with her own adopted daughter in mind, hoped that her daughter will find the answer in this book if/when she asks that question. By using age-appropriate language (ex. "grew in another mother's tummy," "first mother," "tiny tickle") and choosing to respond to Morgan's sensitive question in a comforting letter addressed to Morgan, Miller handles this delicate topic in a thoughtful and appropriate way that is suitable for curious children. As a teacher, I would use this book to hold a discussion on reasons why people may choose/have to give their children up for adoption. I would also use this book to discuss having to make important decisions in life and to teach writing letters or notes. I could even use this book to show that a family can consist of a single mom and daughter. The illustrations by Jami Moffett, although seemingly somber due to it being completely in grayscale, add to the timelessness of this book.

Title / Author / Publication Date:
Did My First Mother Love Me?: A Story for an Adopted Child / Miller, Kathryn Ann. Moffett, Jami (ill.) / 1994

Genre: Fiction

Format: Picture Book – print

Plot summary:
The story of a young girl named Morgan, who knows all about her adoption, but sometimes wonders about her “other mother.” When she asks, “Did my first mother love me?” her mother reads the letter her birthmother wrote to her. It also includes a section for parents about talking with their child about adoption.

Review citation:
K-Gr 3-A book that helps a family consider an important, difficult question. Even though Morgan knows all about her adoption, the preschooler sometimes wonders about her ``other mother.'' When she asks, ``Did my first mother love me?'' her mother reads the letter her birthmother wrote to her. It relates the woman's wishes to be the one to give her child a safe and happy home, but acknowledges sadly that this is not possible. The adoptive family's openness and love are evident. Pen-and-ink drawings realistically illustrate the story. A note for parents about ``Talking with Your Child About Adoption'' is appended. This slim volume will be of value to adoptive parents, especially those fortunate enough to have letters from a birthmother. (Anna Biagioni Hart, School Library Journal)

Section source used to find the material: Best Books to Help Talk about Birthparents with Adopted Kids . The National Infertility & Adoption Education Nonprofit.

Recommended age: Ages 5-9

With the diversity of background in represented in the classrooms, I feel this is excellent to have in the classroom for those children who have this questions. It addresses the possibility that one day a child will ask Did My First Mother Love Me in hopes of carrying a positive life. Great read and illustration.