Adoption Books For Kids

While we were in process to adopt Kate, I began looking for books that would help my children at home understand what was going to happen, as well as have books for Kate to help her understand her adoption.

We never know how Kate will accept the fact she is adopted and that her family is transracial. God chose this path for us, but it affects not only us as parents, but also Kate, Bryce and Paige. It has made our family 'conspicuous' - more obvious (I took an online course on this). It made me realize that just because I don't see it, that doesn't mean others in the community won't or won't question it. It prepared me for questions or rude comments we might hear. We need to prepare ourselves, Kate and Bryce and Paige to be able to handle it. I feel we are ambassadors for adoption and plan to try very hard to be positive, no matter what the comment or question is.

I found most of these books through Tapestry catalogs and by Googling. I borrowed them from the library to test them out. The ones I really liked, I bought through Amazon when they had free shipping.

I thought I would make my own personal favorite list of books that have helped me with terminology and explanation of such a complex area. These books are great for cousins and friends too, who will need to understand adoption. The + sign means my extra special favorites.

What adoption books have you read to your kids that you would add to this list?

+Over The Moon - Karen Katz
*good for younger kids too
*adopting hispanic child

We Adopted You Benjamin Koo - Linda Walvoord Girad
*more geared towards elementary
*realistic view of international adoption and probs they may face

Let's Talk About It: Adoption - Fred Rogers
*very basic

+My Adopted Child, There's No One Like You - Keven Leman II
*great book for all ages
*help see things from their perspective

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes - Rose Lewis
*simple, bringing a child home internationally

I Don't Have Your Eyes - Carrie A Kitze
*how we are different, yet alike

+Guatemala ABCs - Marcie Aboff
*nothing to do with adoption, but great info about Guatemala

+Talking About Adoption - Jillian Powell
*basic terms to explain the concept

Our Twitchy - Kes Gray and Mary McQuillan
*cute story about a bunny who is adopted by a cow and horse

Children of Guatemala - Jules Hermes
*nothing to do with adoption, but good information and pictures about Guatemala

+Flora's Family - Annette Aubrey
*great book in which parents explain adoption to their daughter (hispanic)

It's Okay To Be Different - Todd Parr
*shows how we are all different

We Wanted You - Liz Rosenberg
*cute story about how you knew your child was out there somewhere

All About Adoption - Marc Nemiroff and Jane Annunziata
*great way to explain adoption process

Families Are Forever - Craig Shemin
*a child's version of her lifebook

Why Am I Different - Norma Simon
*does not single out your child that is adopted, but talks about the various ways people are different

+We're The Same, We're Different - Bobbi Jane Kates
*Sesame Street book showing that all people look different

Families Are Different - Nina Pellegrini
*shows that no two families are the same

added by Brent R:
Happy Adoption Day - John McCutcheon
*commemorates the day when a child joins an adoptive family, interactive