Books For 2 to 8 Year Olds on
General Adoption
Included is a brief description of the book’s content and potential uses.  Some of these
books will have a book icon in the Title Box.  These books are available to be borrowed
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Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Cole, Joanne

How I Was Adopted

                                                             

Samantha’s Story

1995

Notes

A uniquely reassuring book about adoption that captures all the joy of loving families.  Sam tells her own story – a story of what makes people different and what makes them alike.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Cosby, Eileen Tucker

A is for Adopted

                                                             

 

2000

Notes

Christian-themed alphabet book for all Christian children, adopted or not.  A is for Adoption. Z is for a Zest for life.  F is for Family.  L is for Love, etc.  Each letter is accompanied by colorful and appropriate illustrations and rhyming verses.                                                                              

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Gordon, Elaine R.

Mommy, Did I Grow in Your Tummy Where Babies Come From?

 

1992

Notes

Written for children so they might better understand and respect the different ways that families can grow and come to be.  Explains “in vitro” fertilization, egg and sperm donors, surrogacy and adoption. 

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Herbert, Stephanie

My Adoptive Family

 

1991

Notes

Written by a 7-year-old who was adopted as an infant.  Story simply tells how she was carried inside of one mother who allowed her to be adopted by another family.  Expresses sadness at her loss, joy at being with her family, and hope of seeing her birthmother someday.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Hicks, Randall B.

Adoption Stories for Young Children

 

 

1995

Notes

Simple book written in the voice of 5-year-old Ryan, an adopted child.  Through photos, Ryan introduces us to his friends, neighbors, school mates, and teacher – all of whom are adopted.  Well meaning, but adoption theme is a bit overdone.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Howe, James

Pinky and Rex and the New Baby

 

1993

Notes

Rex is a little girl who has enjoyed being the only child.  When her parents decide to adopt a baby boy, Rex is sure it’s a bad idea.  An easy reader chapter book with water color pictures, suitable to be read alone by a good primary reader.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Katz, Karen

Over the Moon

                                                             

An Adoption Tale

1997

Notes

Delightful story of one couple who eagerly await the birth of the little baby who will become their precious daughter.  They fly joyfully to meet her and bring her home where she will “forever and always” be their child.  Bright, lively, expressive drawings.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Little, Jean

Emma’s Yucky Brother

 

2000

Notes

Delightful EASY READER book about a little girl whose family adopts 4-year-old Max.  Emma is excited about the plan until Max arrives and he is not the brother she had in mind.  Shows the visiting and adjustment period of a new placement and the lessons Emma learns.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Patterson, Eleanora

Twice Upon a Time

Born and Adopted

1987

Notes

Not every family is formed the same way, but all children grow inside their birth mother before birth.  This picture book starts with a description of conception, pregnancy, and birth, and then explains how a child enters a family by adoption.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Rohde, Sylvia

Adoption is Okay

 

1992

Notes

Explains the process and emotions involved in making the transition from a Russian orphanage to a new family in America.  Book is an entertaining and educational tool to help children deal with the losses and gains before and after their adoption. 

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Rosenburg, Liz

We Wanted You

 

2002

Notes

A lovely picture book with story told in the loving voices of a child’s parents.  They tell the story of wanting to meet baby Enrique for the first time through the growth of a close knit family.  Very interesting presentation using family snapshots.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Rosove, Lori

Rosie’s Family

 

An Adoption Story

2001

Notes

Rosie didn’t grow in her mommy’s tummy and she doesn’t look like her brother or parents.  Rosie worries about not fitting in, about her “real” parents, and she gets angry about not being able to live with them.  Her family helps her to realize that she does belong. 

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Simon, Norma

Why Am I Different?

                                                             

 

1976

Notes

Book explains that people are unique, that everyone is different, and that these differences are a part of what makes people interesting.  One of the stories is about an adopted child.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Thomas, Pat

My New Family

 

 

A First Look at Adoption

2003

Notes

Full color illustrated book that explains to the child that s/he is lucky to be part of a caring family.  Provides an opportunity for the adoptive parent to reassure child that they are fortunate to have the child as a part of their lives.  Parent guide.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Uhlig, Susan

Things Little Kids Need to Know

 

2000

Notes

Book helps children look forward to a new sibling who is joining the family by adoption. In this story, a little boy describes all the things he will teach his new sister just as soon as she comes from “across the world.”

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Yarborough, Patricia N.

The Duck Wedding

 

2002

Notes

Colette, a young girl who lives on a farm, plans a wedding for Ms. Ferdy Duck.  When no baby ducks arrive, Dad brings home some ducklings for Mrs. Duck to adopt.  Colorful, fun illustrations help children learn about families and adoption.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year

Toussaint, Pamela

Great Books for African American Children
 

 

1999

Notes

Provides creative ways for parents to get children interested in reading. Includes book recommendations for the following: very young children, children 4 to 8, children 8 to 11, preteens and young adults, as well as additional types of media such as videos, games, and magazines to help build youth self-esteem and development.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Koch, Janice Our Baby
 		A Birth Story  

Notes

A sex education book for the very young child in an adoption built family.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Nemiroff, Marc All About Adoption
 		How Families are Made and How Kids Feel about it  

Notes

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.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Bunin, Sherry and Catherine Is That Your Sister?
 		A True Story of Adoption  

Notes

The author wanted to tell about feelings of a child who was adopted a well as explain the process of adopting.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Hollmann, Douglas Clark Sandra Claus
 		A Tiny Gift to Santa Brings A New Tradition to Christmas  

Notes

A story about a little girl that found a way to put a smile on the faces of all the animals on Christmas day so no one feels left out.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Kyle, Brittney My Special Someone
 		   

Notes

A child's perspective of adoption.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Gordon, Elaine Mommy, Did I Grow in Your Tummy?
 		Where Some Babies Come From  

Notes

The explanation of where babies come from, in many different ways.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Mitton, Tony Goodnight Me, Goodnight You
 		   

Notes

With comforting text and atmospheric illustrations certain to settle young children into a night of sweet dreams, this is the perfect book to prepare little ones for bed.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Shapiro, Lawrence E. Sometimes I Drive My Mom Crazy But I Know She's Crazy About Me
 		A Self Esteem book for ADHD Children  

Notes

This book is a heart warming and amusing story of a boy who has developed a sense of self worth by learning to deal with his problems through the help of the adults who care for and about him.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Sass, Norma Jean  I Am Adopted
 		   

Notes

A children's book about being adopted.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
McNamara, Joan  Ordinary Miracle, The
 		   

Notes

This is a story to share with children about adoption, foster care, families, sadness, joy, and about growing in love…a valuable resource in helping children understand their past and their future.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Rondell, Florence  Family that Grew, The
 		   

Notes

 

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Banish, Roslyn  Forever Family, A
 		   

Notes

Jennifer Jordan-Wong Parents and has loving grandparents and lots and lots of friends and cousins. Eight year old Jennifer tells just what it's like after living as a foster child in a number of different homes to be adopted at last to be part of a forever family.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Heegaard, Marge  When someone very Special Dies
 		Children can Learn to Cope With Grief  

Notes

A book about teaching children to learn how to cope with grief

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Parr, Todd  It's Okay to Be Different
 		   

Notes

It's Okay to be adopted, It's okay to have wheels , It's okay to have big ears, It's okay to have wheels it's okay to be different.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Parr, Todd  This is My Hair
 		   

Notes

Open this book to see how silly hair can be

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Herbert, Stephanie  Being Adopted
 		   

Notes

 

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Yates, Sharon  Busy Mom, The
 		   

Notes

How do we savor the wonder our children bring us when we're hurrying them into bed at the end of a long day? In this beautiful rhythmic picture book we share a busy mom's moment of slowing down and appreciating what a unique child she has, how mush she loves him, and the richness he brings to her life.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Newman, Leslea  Heather Has Two Mommies
 		   

Notes

Heather's favorite number is two, She has two arms, two legs, two eyes, two ears, two hands, and two feet. Heather also has two mommies

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Skutch, Robert  Who's in a Family?
 		   

Notes

Who's in a Family? The people who love you the most chances are your family is like no one else's and that's just fine.

 

Author

Title

Subtitle

Year
Mandel, Pili  You Be Me I'll Be You
 		   

Notes

 


 

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