The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale

According to an ancient Chinese belief, when a child is born an invisible red thread connects that child's soul to all those people--present and in the future--who will play a part in his or her life. As each birthday passes, the thread shortens, bringing closer those people who are fated to be together. Inspired by this legend, beloved author/illustrator Grace Lin has created a lovely adoption fairy tale.

"A childless king and queen, who are clearly Western in appearance, follow a wondrous red thread that tugs at their hearts and draws them to a 'faraway land.' They ultimately arrive at a remote village (it is obviously Chinese, although never identified as such), where they discover that a giggling baby girl has been pulling at their heartstrings. An elderly woman tells them, 'This baby belongs to you.' Lin (The Seven Chinese Sisters, see Picture Book Reprints) bases this imaginative story on an ancient Chinese belief that 'an invisible, unbreakable red thread connects all those who are destined to be together.' Some parents (and children), however, may be troubled by the conspicuous absence of the birth mother, or by the tale's resolution, which, in making the adopted child even a metaphorical 'princess in the kingdom,' draws attention to the economic disparity between the child's original circumstances and those of the adoptive family. But it's hard to resist the story's plainspoken magic. Lin builds a sense of awe and mystery as she unspools the monarchs' journey, and although her homey rendering style can border on stiff, the intense expressiveness of her characters and a regal palette make for emotionally vivid compositions. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"This is a good tale to open adoption discussions."

Booklist "The illustrations are painted in deeply rich colors and are imbued with details that lend a fairy-tale ambiance."

Starred, Kirkus Reviews

A king and queen should be full of joy and contentment, but they both feel a strange pain that worsens every day. Then a peddler's magic spectacles reveal a red thread pulling at each of their hearts. The king and queen know they must follow the thread.