In gorgeous folk-art–style oil-and-pencil illustrations, Korean-born Heo translates the oft-weighty anticipation of an overseas adoption into a young Asian-American girl’s literal countdown to the arrival of her little sister. The girl first marks a red circle on her calendar at May 10: “I have ten days and nine nights.” Then, she and her father say goodbye to her mother at the airport: “I have nine days and eight nights.” So continues the countdown. The many wordless spreads and spare text allow ample room for—and may demand—more in-depth discussion, as the book focuses solely on preparations for welcoming a new baby and not on any emotional aspects of a child confronted with a new sibling, such as, say, fear and loathing. The depictions of the Korean adoption office, the foster home and the airplane trip home—all in a contrastingly blue-hued palette—will help children demystify the parts of the baby-fetching process they missed out on. Unfortunately, this visually pleasing offering still misses its mark. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-8)
