As parents, there are times when you may have to explain some difficult or abstract ideas to your kids. It begins the moment your child starts asking “Why?” Why is the sky blue? Why do birds fly? Why can’t I stay up all night? Why can’t I be a dog? The list goes on.
When kids have tricky questions, books can be a great resource. Storybook authors have made their living out of entertaining and speaking to children, so parents can turn to them to explain what they cannot.
Adoption is one topic that may be tricky for kids to understand sometimes. If you are an adoptive parent, your child will likely have questions about his or her adoption story at some point: Why was I placed for adoption? What does it mean to be adopted? Why don’t I look like you? Do I look like my birth parents? Here are some suggestions for books that help explain adoption to kids.
We Belong Together: A Book about Adoption and Families by Todd Parr
Todd Parr’s bright and bold illustrations and kid-friendly writing style help make difficult subjects easier for young readers to understand. This book explores the way people can come together to make a family.
Babies Come From Airports by Erin Dealey
This book highlights “Gotcha Day” and what it means to adoptive families. This rhyming story with diverse family dynamics has the perfect ending for all adoption stories — all babies come from love.
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis can be silly, but her books are also touching and empower kids to be proud of who they are. The girl in this book asks her parents to continually tell her adoption story. She realizes this is a story she will always know by heart.
Yes, I’m Adopted! by Sharlie Zinneger
The front cover of this book is darling — on it, a boy wears a huge, proud smile on his face and holds a banner that says “Yes, I’m Adopted!” This book helps kids feel comfortable with their adoption story.
Horace by Holly Keller
This darling book tells the story of Horace, a leopard who was adopted by tiger parents. Keller does a nice job of keeping this low-key and reassuring to children.
Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale by Karen Katz
This book was inspired by the author’s own international adoption story. It captures the happy anticipation parents feel as they wait for their child.
I Wished for You: An Adoption Story by Marianne Richmond
This sweet story follows the conversation between a little bear name Barley and his Mama. He asks many questions that adoptive children may have.
