Bradbury, Jennifer. Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me. Illustrated by Pearl AuYeung. 2025. 40p. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, $19.99 (9781481417679) Recommended grade levels K-2.
Rating: 3.5 Stars – Borrow it!
Identities: Blended, adopted family
Two brothers are playing at the park when they hear the ice cream truck approaching. When waiting in line together, another child comments on their differences, questioning their biological relationship. What follows is a poetic, affirming, celebratory story about the many ways the two brothers are “nearly exactly almost alike” despite not being biologically related. The illustrations are warm, inviting, and capture the vibrant energy of the boys’ relationship. This book will help young readers build empathy and a broader understanding of adopted or blended families.
Perspectives: This book was written from the perspective of an adoptive parent with two adopted children. A necessary story in response to a comment about the difference one of her children experienced. However, this book is a single story and a small moment in time that does not capture how painful these moments can, in fact, be for the adoptee. Written primarily from the perspective of the older sibling, the younger sibling’s perspective is missing, and they do not have the opportunity to process the painful comment with an adult caregiver. There is no clear conflict resolution which is important for children at this age. Lastly, the adoption narrative is confusing and glossed over with images of the family smiling with a baby in a car and on a plane. This sugarcoating contributes to the adoption narrative as a “happy ending” that current adoptee literature and adoptee voices are working towards dismantling.
Practice: This book lends itself to use in a classroom or at home. In both contexts, the story should not be limited to a single story but expanded upon. In the classroom, this book fits in units on family structure for Pre-K & Kindergarten. However, this would not be my “go-to”. If using this book ensure that other adoptee picture books are shared as well. For example, Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders. A read-aloud of this book should include a deeper conversation about the hurtful comment made and what students can infer the younger brother might be feeling. How might the younger sibling speak up for themselves? What could the older brother or a bystander say? What could repair look like? At home, this is an opportunity for an adult caregiver to address a child’s emotions of being adopted, feeling, and looking different. They can ask similar questions a teacher might in the classroom, or use the book preemptively to empower a child for when, inevitably, their differences are pointed out by a curious peer.
The Adoptee Bookshelf 