
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the complex emotions of waiting, whether for a new sibling, an adoption placement, or simply searching for their place in the world. This tender story follows Carlota, a young girl in an orphanage, as she spends her final night before adoption imagining all the fantastical 'best' families she might join, from world-class astronauts to chocolate makers. This book speaks beautifully to a child's need for security and the power of imagination as a coping mechanism. It is particularly helpful for families in the adoption or foster care process, but its core message about the beauty of an ordinary, loving family resonates with any child aged 4 to 8. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's dreams while gently landing on the profound value of real-world affection and everyday togetherness.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book addresses adoption and the experience of living in an orphanage. The approach is gentle and secular, focusing on the child's internal emotional landscape rather than the logistics of the system. The resolution is deeply hopeful and realistic, emphasizing that 'ordinary' love is extraordinary.
An elementary school child, particularly one in a foster or adoptive setting, who is feeling anxious about 'fitting in' or what a 'forever home' looks like. It is also perfect for a child with a vivid imagination who enjoys 'what if' scenarios.
This book can be read cold. However, parents of adopted children should be prepared to discuss the child's own 'gotcha day' or arrival story, as the book will likely trigger questions about their own history. A parent might see their child expressing 'imposter syndrome' or anxiety about whether they are 'good enough' for their family, or conversely, a child who is daydreaming about a different life to escape current feelings of loneliness.
Younger children (4-5) will delight in the whimsical illustrations of the chocolate makers and tiger tamers. Older children (6-8) will better grasp the metaphor: that a mom who works at a post office can be just as heroic as an astronaut.
Unlike many adoption books that focus on the 'journey' or the parents' perspective, this book centers entirely on the child's imagination and her agency in dreaming up her own future.
Carlota is a young girl living in an orphanage who has just been told she has been adopted. On the night before her new parents arrive, she cannot sleep and spends the hours imagining various 'best families' she might have: a family of astronauts, chocolate makers, or animal tamers. Each fantasy is vibrant and grand. The next morning, she meets her new family, the Perezes. While they are not literal astronauts or tiger tamers, the story concludes by showing how they are the best family for her through their simple, loving actions.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.