Adoption is a beautiful gift for children and parents. For an adoptee, learning about adoption early is important. Reading adoption books to your little ones is a great way to help them understand adoption and the love you feel for them. Here are our favorite adoption books for children.
1. Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born
A heart-warming tale of a little girl’s favorite bedtime story, Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born was written by Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrated by Laura Cornell. It expresses the desire of all children to know where they come from while portraying the undeniable love of an adoptive family. With the phrase, “tell me again how you couldn’t grow a baby in your tummy,” a little girl’s birth story and adoption story mingle into one. This is a great book for adoptees who are beginning to ask questions about where they come from. You can purchase Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born from Amazon.com.
2. I Wished for You: An Adoption Story
A unique adoption book to share with your child is, I Wished for You: An Adoption Story by Marianne Richmond. The story shares the longing adoptive parents feel to complete their families and the amazing love that grows from adoption. An amazing quality this book provides adoptive families is the chance to personalize it with your child’s name and photo. Rather than a story about adoption in general, I Wished for You puts your little one in this sweet tale of building a family. You can purchase I Wished for You: An Adoption Story at Amazon.
3. My Family is Forever
Many adoptees struggle with the question of being wanted at some point throughout their life. Written by Nancy Carlson, My Family is Forever reinforces the fact that while your little one’s biological parents weren’t ready for a family, your love is forever. A story of international adoption, this is a lovely book for families who have adopted from another country. To purchase My Family is Forever, visit Amazon.
4. I Don’t Have Your Eyes
The inevitable question of biology and genetics is one that all adoptive parents face eventually. In I Don’t Have Your Eyes, by Carrie A. Kitze, families can share this concept in a safe and positive way. This beautifully illustrated story expresses the differences adoptive parents and children face, while encouraging the concept that while some families have differences on the outside, it’s the love they share inside that matters most. Look for I Don’t Have Your Eyes at Amazon.
5. A Mother for Choco
Keiko Kasza’s twist on “Are you my mother?” theme has become one of the most highly recommended stories about adoption for children. The book is warm and reassuring, partially to adoptees. A Mother for Choco takes you on a journey with Choco as he sets off to find his mother and learns that families can come in all shapes and sizes. Get a copy of A Mother for Choco on Amazon.
6. The Mulberry Bird
The Mulberry Bird is a great option for reading aloud with adopted children between the ages of 5-10 years old. Mother Bird gives birth to her baby bird in the forest and has to face a difficult choice: continue to struggle on her own or give her baby to another family who can care for him in their strong, secure nest. You can find The Mulberry Bird on Amazon.
7. Gotcha Day: A Carried in My Heart Adoption Story for Children
Full of laughter and love, Gotcha Day: A Carried in My Heart Adoption Story for Children is a great book for families to share with their child their own adoption story and the joy their child brings to the family. The book includes beautiful illustrations, a story that keeps you guessing and even a removable Gotcha Day certificate to personalize for your own child. You can find Gotcha Day on Amazon.
8. Baby Owl Lost Her Whoo
This book is not specifically focused on adoption, however, it is a great resource for anyone who has a child set on being in control. Baby Owl Lost her Whoo focuses on teaching children WHY they need to let go of control. When children know a safe loving adult is in charge, they can let go of control and focus on being kids – playing and exploring. You can find Baby Owl Lost her Whoo on Amazon.
9. God Found Us You
God Found Us You not only resonates with adopted children but also their parents. The story is shared as a conversation between Mama Fox and Little Fox and recounts the story of the day Little Fox came home along with how long Mama Fox dreamed and waited for Little Fox. Take a look at God Found Us You on Amazon.
10. The Best Family in the World
The Best Family in the World is written from the perspective of a child, Carlotta, who is being adopted tomorrow. She wonders what her family will be like – and soon discovers they are the best family in the world. You can find The Best Family in the World on Amazon.
11. And Tango Makes Three
And Tango Makes Three is a book about a nontraditional penguin family as they become a family of three. This book is based on the true story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who successfully hatched a motherless egg, which they named Tango. Take a look at And Tango Makes Three on Amazon.
12. The Story of My Open Adoption
The Story of My Open Adoption follows Sammy the squirrel and his adoption at birth by Mom and Dad Rabbit. Open adoption is both joyful and complex, and this book can be a gateway to allow kids to talk about their feelings on the topic. Check out The Story of My Open Adoption on Amazon.
13. I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
Based on the author’s own experiences, I Love You Like Crazy Cakes is story that about a woman who travels to China to adopt a baby girl. It is a celebration of the love and joy adoption brings. Find I Love You Like Crazy Cakes on Amazon. Interested in learning more about The Ultimate Guide to Family Life After Adoption? Check out our entire guide here.
14. OUR WISH FOR YOU
Our Wish for You The story honors all parties involved in open adoption: adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents (who are absent in most children’s books about adoption). In addition, the book can help children (and adults) understand open adoption; It shows both birth and adoptive parents during the matchmaking process, birth, and the following years. Our Wish for You on Amazon.