Books for Kids Who Have Been Adopted
Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born
By Jamie Lee Curtis
Short Description: In asking her parents to tell her again about the night of her birth, a young girl relives a cherished tale she knows by heart. Focusing on the significance of family and love, this a unique and beautiful story about adoption and the importance of a loving family.
A beautiful adoption story, Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born also speaks to the universal childhood desire to know more about the excitement, awe, love, and sleeplessness that a new baby brings to a family.
I Wished for You: An Adoption Story
By Marianne Richmond
Short Description: "Mama," said Barley. "Tell me again how I'm your wish come true."
Thus begins this beautiful story for adoptive families. I Wished for You: An Adoption Story follows a conversation between a little bear named Barley and his Mama as they curl up in their favorite cuddle spot and talk about how God chose them to be a family. Barley asks Mama the kinds of questions many adopted children have, and Mama lovingly answers them all.
With endearing prose and charming watercolor illustrations, I Wished for You is a cozy read that affirms how love is what truly makes a family.
My Family is Forever
By Nancy L. Carlson
Short Description: Some families look alike, some don't. Some families are formed through birth, and some families are formed by adoption. But as the little girl in this heartwarming book makes clear, being a family isn't about who you look like or where you were born—it's about the love that binds you together. Adoptive families are sure to delight in the special story of the narrator's adoption—from her parents' excited preparations and long journey by airplane to meet her, to their life together as a family.
I Don't Have Your Eyes
By Carrie A. Kitze
Short Description: This beautifully illustrated and uplifting book, for the 2-5 set, will help to create the intimate parent/caregiver and child bond that is so important. While others may notice the physical differences between us on the outside, inside we are the same.
A Mother for Choco
By Keiko Kasza
Short Description: Choco wishes he had a mother, but who could she be? He sets off to find her, asking all kinds of animals, but he doesn't meet anyone who looks just like him. He doesn't even think of asking Mrs. Bear if she's his mother-but then she starts to do just the things a mommy might do. And when she brings him home, he meets her other children-a piglet, a hippo, and an alligator-and learns that families can come in all shapes and sizes and still fit together.
The Mulberry Bird: An Adoption Story
By Anne Braff Brodzinsky
Short Description: Mother Bird is looking after her baby bird in the forest, when a huge storm scatters her nest. Try as she might, she just can't give him the protection he needs. She faces a choice: continue to struggle on her own, or give her precious baby bird to another family who can care for him in their strong, secure nest.
Gotcha Day: A Carried in My Adoption Story for Children
By Rebecca Tabasso
Short Description: Adoptive parent and author Rebecca Tabasso’s debut is a loving—and fun—way to talk to children about adoption. As comforting as a warm embrace, her sweet story renders a heartfelt portrait of the special place an adoptive child’s Gotcha Day holds in their family’s history. Full of laughter and love, Gotcha Day: A Carried in My Heart Adoption Story for Children is the perfect avenue for families to share with their child their own adoption story, traditions, and joy their child brings to the family.
Baby Owl Lost Her Whoo
By Cindy R. Lee
Short Description: One of eight children’s books designed to teach concepts developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis, this story cleverly teaches children that parents are indeed in charge. When children know a safe loving adult is in charge, they can let go of control and spend their time laughing, playing and exploring.
God Found Us You
By Lisa Tawn Bergren
Short Description: As little fox gets ready for bed, Mama Fox tells him the miraculous story of his special arrival. This heartwarming and tender tale captures the immensity of looking at God through a young child’s eyes and the profoundness of the blessings that adoption brings to both parent and child.
The Story of My Open Adoption
By Leah Campbell
Short Description: Leap into a warm-hearted tale about a little squirrel who was adopted at birth! Join Sammy as Mom and Dad Rabbit bring him to meet his first family. With its whimsical illustrations and appealing rhymes, this storybook is perfect to read aloud to children age 3-5.
I Love You Like Crazy Cakes
By Rose A. Lewis
Short Description: This story of a woman who travels to China to adopt a baby girl, based on the author's own experiences, is a celebration of the love and joy a baby brings into the home. Full color.
Our Wish For You:
By Dano Moreno
Short Description: One birth mother is pregnant with a baby and wants to find parents to adopt the child. Eventually she finds two dads who will be just the right parents, because they, too, share her same wishes of love and happiness for the baby. Author Dano Moreno drew from his and his husband's experience with adopting their son to write a gentle, universal story about all the hopes, dreams, and wishes parents have for their children to live happy lives.
MY FAMILY TREES: AN OPEN ADOPTION STORY
By Lindsay Baker
Short Description: What if your family tree was not just a page in a photo album? What if it was an actual tree planted in a beautiful field that grows and changes as your family gets bigger and bigger? That's exactly what happens in this story, except one of the branches on a family tree isn't growing. It has tried everything possible to grow! Will another tree help it grow? Listen as an adoptive child explains adoption and why it is a very special thing to be a part of two family trees.
Some Babies Are Adopted
By Cindy Walker
Short Description: "Some babies are adopted! They are special boys and girls." Some Babies Are Adopted is a beautifully written and illustrated children's book that will guide you through the story of a birth mother who prayerfully chooses adoption for her child and searches for a loving adoptive couple. This is the perfect book for those who want to teach their child, whether adopted or not, that adoption is a choice based on love.
I've Loved You Since Forever
By Hoda Kotb
Short Description: I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a celebratory and poetic testament to the timeless love felt between parent and child. This beautiful picture book is inspired by Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s heartwarming adoption of her baby girl, Haley Joy. With Kotb’s lyrical text and stunning pictures by Suzie Mason, young ones and parents will want to snuggle up and read the pages of this book together, over and over again.
And That's Why She's My Mama
By Tiarra Nazario
Short Description: What is a Mama? A mama is someone who is always there for you. She makes you your favorite food, takes you to the park, and kisses your boo-boos better. Some mamas didn't hold you in their belly, but they will forever hold you in their hearts. Mamas come in all different shapes, colors, and ages, but they all have one thing in common. They love you! Enjoy the multiple characters in this children’s story which explores the loving tasks of what makes a mama.
And Tango Makes Three
By Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Short Description: The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family is now available in a sturdy board book edition.
At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.
We Belong Together
By Todd Parr
Short Description: In a kid-friendly, accessible way, this book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family by showing one perspective on the adoption experience.
We Belong Together is about sharing your home and sharing your heart to make a family that belongs together. With an understanding of how personal and unique each adoption is, and that not everyone comes to it in the same way, Todd Parr's colorful art explores the meaning of family.
All About Adoption
By Marc Nemiroff, Ph.D. and Jane Annunziata, Psy.D.
Short Description: Written for children adopted at any age and from any country, All About Adoption explores the what, how and why of adoption, as well as the many feelings kids can experience as they grow up.
Adoption Is a Lifelong Journey
By Kelly DiBenedetto, Katie Gorczyca, and Jennifer Eckert
Short Description: Meet Charlie, an adoptee who opens his heart and shares what’s on his mind through various phases as he grows up in his adoptive home. As the narrator of ADOPTION IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY, Charlie invites readers to see the adoption journey from the perspective of a child adoptee.
ABC, Adoption & Me
By Gayle H. Swift and Casey Anne Swift
Short Description: Previously named a favorite read by Adoptive Families magazine, this ABC definition book doesn't shy away from discussing the complex issues that often come with adoption. It's packaged together with cartoon artwork that includes interracial families.
Happy Adoption Day!
By John McCutcheon
Short Description: This adaptation of McCutcheon's song commemorates the day when a child joins an adoptive family. Complete with musical notation, these verses reassure adopted children they are special. Full-color illustrations.
Daddy Dog and Papi Panda's Rainbow Family
By Anthony Hale
This book featuring same-sex parents shows how people create families through adoption and surrogacy. The parents are a dog and a panda, and the children include a monkey and three cats. This book is perfect for sharing diverse families with kids, and of course, for LGBTQ+ families with adopted children.
Emma's Yucky Brother
By Jean Little
Short Description: Emma has always wanted a little brother. Now her family is adopting Max, and Emma is sure he will be the best brother ever. But Max has his own ideas. He thinks sisters are yucky, and that Emma is the yuckiest! Is this really what having a brother is all about?
All Together Now
By Anita Jeram
Short Description: Mommy Rabbit has three children—Bunny, Little Duckling, and Miss Mouse—and only one is a rabbit too! This family of different animals shares a story of love, family, and togetherness.
Little Miss Spider
By David Kirk
Short Description: Miss Spider fans will delight in her latest picture book that revisits her first day of life when she pops out of her egg and discovers that her mother is nowhere to be found, but kindly Betty the Beetle gladly steps in to be a mother to the orphaned little spider, in a wonderful tale of adoption. 150,000 first printing.
Yes, I'm Adopted!
By Sharlie Zinniger
Short Description: "Yes, adoption makes me special, it means that I am loved…"This brightly colored children's book illustrates how adoption is brought about by love. Written from a child's point of view, the rhyming verse takes you through an adoption journey from start to finish. It is perfect for anyone, young or old, whose life has been blessed by adoption.
The Little Green Goose
By Adele Sansone
Short Description: When a male goose longs for a chick of his own, he borrows an egg and ends up with a baby dinosaur! This unusual adoption tale will delight young readers.
Why Was I Adopted?
By Carole Livingston
Short Description: Offers a simple explanation of the adoption process designed to reinforce the young child's feelings of love and self-esteem.
Oliver: A Story About Adoption
By Lois Wickstrom
Oliver, a lizardlike animal who has been adopted, sulks after being scolded and wonders what his "real" parents are like.