Our Subway Baby
Our Subway Baby book cover

Our Subway Baby

Hardcover – Illustrated, September 15, 2020

Price
$17.99
Format
Hardcover
Pages
40
Publisher
Dial Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0525427544
Dimensions
9.38 x 0.38 x 11.56 inches
Weight
15.6 ounces

Description

From School Library Journal Gr 1-3-A Black baby boy was abandoned in a corner of the New York Subway and rescued by a worker returning home. The young man's call for police help and later call to the judge in charge of the little one's case asking about his welfare progressed to an inquiry about adoption. With digitally created, mixed media art, the book presents the miraculous events, from the news coverage to the emotions on the faces of the two young white gay men: excitement battling hesitation over small incomes, bringing a baby into a tiny apartment, or whether they are ready to be parents. As a unique family, the journey from simply Danny and Pete to "Daddy Danny and Papa Pete" evolves as little Kevin wraps his hand around Pete's fingers (and his heart). Welcoming family members are supported in preparing a home by new relatives-aunts, uncles, cousins, Grandma and Grandpa, and everything a new baby could need. VERDICT A sweet tribute to an enduring love that grew from happenstance, this suggested general purchase for all libraries praises the love of a diverse family and includes an authors' note on their continued life together, the marriage of Danny and Pete, and more recent photos of a grown-up Kevin with his two dads.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "The story excels at highlighting the determination of loving fathers while still including realistic moments of hesitation, doubt, and fear that occur for new and soon-to-be parents . . .xa0Family snapshots and a closing author’s note emphasize that the most important thing in any family is love." — Kirkus "A sweet tribute to an enduring love that grew from happenstance, this suggested general purchase for all libraries praises the love of a diverse family."xa0— School Library Journal Peter Mercurio is the founder and artistic director of Other Side Productions, a nonprofit theater company, and has written for the New York Times , Marie Claire Australia , and Reader's Digest . Peter lives in New York City with his husband, Danny, and their son, Kevin, and has played on the same softball team for over twenty years.Leo Espinosa is an award-winning illustrator and designer from Bogotá, Colombia, whose work has been featured in the New Yorker , Wired , Esquire , the New York Times , the Atlantic , and more. Leo's illustrations have been recognized by American Illustration, Communication Arts, Pictoplasma, 3x3, and the Society of Illustrators. Leo lives with his family in Salt Lake City, Utah. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • ALA Rainbow Book List for Young ReadersLambda Literary Award FinalistThis gentle and incredibly poignant picture book tells the true story of how one baby found his home.
  • "Some babies are born into their families. Some are adopted. This is the story of how one baby found his family in the New York City subway."So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete's moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in the corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, "Where there is love, anything is possible."

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(235)
★★★★
25%
(98)
★★★
15%
(59)
★★
7%
(27)
-7%
(-28)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

My Students Loved It

I read this book aloud to my students and they really enjoyed it. They especially loved the afterward, learning about the real people the book is based on. It's a sign of the times that my students couldn't care less about it being two dads who adopted the baby -They wanted to talk about how the mother could possibly have abandoned it as she did. It was the first time I had read an LGBTQ+-themed book in my classroom, and it really opened my eyes to the realities some of my students live with. One told me that her mother is gay, and it was the first time she felt she could talk about it with her teacher! All of that aside, it's a lovely, well-written book that celebrates love and families. I highly recommend it!
34 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

A BEAUTIFUL telling of a remarkable story of family love!

"Where there is love, anything is possible." I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio for a long time. It arrived today! And it was well worth the wait.

BUY. THIS. BOOK. NOW.

Mercurio tells the heartwarming story about how Danny's quick glance to the corner of the subway station changed their lives forever, when finding Keven transformed Danny into Daddy, Pete into Papa, and the three of them into family. The story is tender, touching, and tear-jerking. It is brilliantly told and beautifully illustrated.

Congratulations and cheers to this beautiful family!!
32 people found this helpful
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Amazing Story

This short and sweet story brought me to tears! Wonderfully written and the drawings really bring it to life. Thanks for sharing this amazing story.
22 people found this helpful
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A Wonderful Celebration of Love!

This is a sweet, touching true story that warms the heart, and conveys beautifully the love that Danny and Peter have for their son. The book is gorgeously illustrated with realistic and heart-tugging pictures. A joy to read!
21 people found this helpful
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Golden Urban Discovery

Heartwarming story of discovery and love. This should be part of every school’s library and family collection of picture books, highlighting diversity and love in New York City. It’s just the kind of story we need to uplift us after the year All of us have had and to give our children hope for a bright future and that amazing things can happen to alter one’s destiny.
13 people found this helpful
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Unique, true story

This true story is unique and exceptional, the narrative shows the emotions associated with finding an abandoned baby. The love for the baby brought the adoptive parents even closer together and also involved the extended family.
The illustration is very well done.
Alexandra (Dr. I)
13 people found this helpful
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Tearing up with happiness

I first heard this amazing true story on a podcast called " What Was That Like" and immediately purchased the book to read to my young daughter. Tonight while reading to her she got so excited and exclaimed, "that's me, I am the baby! The baby is brown like me!" I could not help but tear up at the beautiful story that my daughter could relate to. Thank you for being brave and shining a light in this world!!
3 people found this helpful
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Wow

Powerful story… love the graphics and everything! I cried
3 people found this helpful
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This story made my day!

Excellent story and beautiful pictures! My family loves this book.
2 people found this helpful
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Excellent, excellent book

Not only is the story heartwarming and true but it's told in such a beautiful, straightforward way. Tells a wonderful story about a less traditional family without shouting it at you from every page. Not the slightest bit preachy. It seems the author didn't set out to enlighten us but rather share an amazing story of love. (But he does enlighten us in the best way possible.)
2 people found this helpful