Books for Adopted Children

Below are some books that our adoptive kids like or even love. Books that have been read many time in many of our homes. Books that we as parents have found helpful.

We have included mostly books for toddlers, preschoolers and primary school aged children. We try to add books that not only focus on adoption, but also on difficult feelings, loss, rage, race, sex, bullying and much more.

If you know of books that do not appear on the list, please let us know. We'd love for this list to grow.

The Paper Dolls

A much-loved picture book about loss, memory and motherhood by Julia Donaldson. A fave of many of our families.

No Matter What

'I'm a grim and grumpy little Small and nobody loves me at all,' said a small fox. But that's not true and Small's mother is determined to prove that her love is limitless - no matter what!

Oh No George!

A beautiful picture book by Chris Hauton. A pet dog struggles to be ‘good’ and finds it hard to resist his impulsive desires. He feels regret but also finds forgiveness and growth. A beautifully simple and funny story which shows how everyone can make mistakes, even with the best intentions, but that relationships stay strong anyway. My daughter loved this and wanted to read it over and over, lingering often on the page where George feels guilty, sad and tearful.

I Love Blue Kangaroo

Another beauty by Emma Chichester Clark.

A sensitive and beautiful story of change and loss, we feel for Blue Kangaroo as he wonders if he has been forgotten and left behind. But we learn he will always be special.

Meet The Parents

Meet The Parents by Peter Bently and Sara Ogilvie is a hugely witty and warm celebration of all that parents do and the wide variety of families you find, with beautiful illustrations.

Finn Throws A Fit!

This book deals in beautifully economical text and vivid pictures with a toddler’s overwhelming tantrum. A huge and violent storm which surges and then passes.

Mouse Was Mad

A wonderfully funny storyby Linda Urban and Henry Cole about an angry mouse trying to find the right way to express his anger and get it out of his system.

The Snowy Day

Winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal! No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world

Peanut

A teeny monkey with a big problem: he's afraid of everything. This is the story of how he comes to realise the world isn't quite so scary after all.

The Teazles baby bunny

Sweet book about becoming a family through adoption. Unusually this book features a social worker.

Penguin

A fine story about a penguin who doesn’t say ANYTHING. Great end.

The Invisible String

A classic for separation anxiety.

Little People, BIG DREAMS - Maya Angelou

One in a series about outstanding women's lives. The book follows Maya Angelou, from her early traumatic childhood to her time as a singer, actress, civil rights campaigner and, eventually, one of America's most beloved writers.

Mama, do you love me?

This is story of a inuit child testing the limits of her independence, and a mother who reassuringly proves that a parent's love is unconditional and everlasting. Lovely description of how emotions are complex too: Mama can be scared but still love her child.

Charley Chatty and the wiggly worry worm

A story about insecurity and attention-seeking by Sarah Naish, based on the life of her daughter, who she co-wrote the book with. This book is for kids functioning at 3-10.

William Wobbly and the Very Bad Day

This is one of four therapeutic children's books written by Sarah Naish. This one focuses on a little boy with feelings of sensory overload.

The Kissing Hand

A classics for starting school, and separation anxiety in general.
How to send your kid off with a kiss in their hand.

The Boy Who Built a Wall Around Himself

Boy built a wall to keep himself safe. Behind it he felt strong and more protected. Then Someone Kind came along. She bounced a ball, sang and painted on the other side of the wall, and Boy began to wonder if life on the other side might be better after all.

Ida Always

A beautiful, honest portrait of loss and deep friendship told through the story of two iconic polar bears.
Ida, Always is an exquisitely told story of two best friends—inspired by a real bear
friendship—and a gentle, moving, needed reminder that loved ones lost will stay in our hearts, always. It stands head and shoulder above most kids' books on serious illness and death.

Papa, do you love me?

A Masai dad reassures his child that his love is unconditional.

Can't You Sleep Little Bear

Little Bear can't sleep. There is dark all around him in the Bear Cave. Not even Big Bear's biggest lantern can light up the darkness of the night outside. But then Big Bear finds the perfect way to reassure Little Bear and help him fall fast asleep...

I Wished For You

A little Bear named Barley asks his adoptive mother questions about his adoption.

Billie Bramble and the Great Big Cook of

Billy Bramble is a fantastic book. It gives you an insight into people who may struggle and how their surroundings can influence their behaviours and attitudes. Billy Bramble is a nice boy with an angry, imaginary dog.

Gilbert The Great

This lovely book about friendship and loss relates directly to a blog written by one of our mum’s: A story about bereavement and loss.

We Belong Together

Bestselling author/illustrator Todd Parr has received hundreds of requests to write a book about adoption.

I love you little monster

A warm and joyful story about the special relationship between parent and child.
A recommendation from one of our mum's. In the vein of No Matter What.

Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born presents a unique, exuberant story about adoption and the importance of a loving family. Full color.

Whistle for Willie

Another beautiful book by Keats’. Not specifically for adoption.

How Are you Feeling Today Baby Bear

Baby Bear lives in a home with the Big Bears, and loves to chase butterflies and make mud pies - they make Baby Bear's tummy fill with sunshine. Then, one night, Baby Bear hears a big storm downstairs in the house and in the morning, Baby Bear's tummy starts to feel grey and rainy. How will such a small bear cope with these big new feelings?

A Mother for Choco

There are so few books out there for kids that tackle race. This is one of them.

The Day The Sea Went Out And Never Came Back

The titles in this extraordinary series are a vital resource. Nine practical guidebooks, each with an accompanying beautifully illustrated storybook, have been written to help children (aged 4-12) think about and connect with their feelings.

The Frog Who Longed For The Moon To Smile

The Huge Bag Of Worries

Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her - in a big blue bag. They are there when she goes swimming, when she is watching TV, and even when she is in the lavatory. Jenny decides they will have to go. But who can help her?

The Nanny Goats Kid

The Nanny Goat wants kids more than anything in the world. When she can't have any of her own, she adopts one instead, but he's different to the others.

What Makes A Baby

Geared to readers from preschool to age eight, What Makes a Baby is a book for every kind of family and every kind of kid.

Where The Wild Things Are

One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without his supper.

Guess how much

If you are wondering about how to tell you child just how much you love them, this is a classic.

Nutmeg Gets Adopted

This classic children's book has helped many adopted children to understand their situation and what has happened to them. It sensitively explores the adoption process, from a child's point of view.

Kit Kitten and the Topsy-Turvy Feelings

A story about parents who weren't able to care. Another book about difficult and complex feelings in children by Jane Evans.

We Are Family