This week I was able to put together a list of really lovely children's books for you to choose from for your family. Foster & Adoptive families often struggle to find books written for modern, diverse families and so this list will help you find at least a couple stories
that will be treasured in your home.
by Keiko Kasza
Family is about love no matter how different parents and children may be, adopted or not. 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. Keiko Kasza's twist on the "Are You My Mother?" theme has become one of the most highly recommended stories about adoption for children.
by Marianne Richmond
This 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 they became 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.
by Jennifer Wilgocki & Marcia Kahn Wright
For many children in foster care, the answer to many questions is often maybe. Maybe Days is a straightforward look at the issues of foster care, the questions that children ask, and the feelings that they confront. The book also explains in children's terms the responsibilities of everyone involved - parents, social workers, lawyers and judges. As for the children themselves, their job is to be a kid - and there's no maybe about that.
by Margaret M Holmes
Sherman saw the most terrible thing happen. At first he tried to forget about it, but something inside him started to bother him. He felt nervous and had bad dreams. Then he met someone who helped him talk about the terrible thing, and made him feel better.
by Julie Nelson
In simple words and full-color illustrations, this book explains why some kids move to foster homes, what foster parents do, and ways kids might feel during foster care. Children often believe that they are in foster care because they are “bad.” This book makes it clear that the troubles in their lives are not their fault; the message throughout is one of hope and support.
by Patti Henderson
Every night before she goes to sleep, a kangaroo prays under the stars for a baby to love and hold. One day, as she rests under a tree, a baby bird falls out of its crowded nest—plop!—right into her pouch! Now, every night before they fall asleep, Momma-Roo and Little One thank God for all their blessings, but especially for each other. The book closes with a quote from Ephesians 1:5: “In love He destined us for adoption to Himself. . . .”
This rhyming story celebrates the bond between parent and child in a special way. Through the exchanges between a little Chinese girl and her adoptive parent, this title offers a poignant and inspiring message to adoptive parents and children all over the world.
by Michelle Bell
Published by an adoption / foster care charity this book is for foster families with children who struggle with navigating memories--both good and bad. Elfa the elephant carries a box of memories on her back that starts to interfere with life. Marvin the monkey offers to sit with her to go through the box, full of pictures and mementos of his childhood. But, there are memories not there, ones she's lost and she doesn't know how. She goes back to some caregivers who give her more tidbits to help her remember. When the gaps are full enough, Marvin helps her take the box off her back and put it in a safe hiding spot so that she can "play with the other animals and run through the trees without worrying about the heavy box on her back."
by Jamie Lee Curtis
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.
by Lisa Tawn Bergren
A special picture book about adoption from the bestselling creators of the beloved God Gave Us You. 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.
by Grace Lin
There is an ancient Chinese belief that an invisible, unbreakable red thread connects all those who are destined to be together. A king and queen rule a beautiful and peaceful land. They should be full of joy and contentment, but they both feel a strange pain that worsens every day. Then a peddler's magic spectacles reveal a red thread pulling at each of their hearts. The king and queen know they must follow the thread--wherever it may lead. Grace Lin's lovely adoption fairy tale is for all children--and the parents who would search the world to find them.
by Marion Dane Bauer
Owen the baby hippo and his mama were best friends. They loved to play hide-and-seek on the banks of the Sabaki River in Africa. That was all before the tsunami came and washed Owen's world away. But after the rain stops, Owen befriends Mzee, a grayish brown tortoise. He plays with him, snuggles with him, and decides he just might turn out to be his best friend and a brand-new mama. Based on a true story.
by Shelley Rotner & Sheila M. Kelly
Cocoa, tan, rose, and almond-people come in lots of shades, even in the same family. This exploration of one of our most noticeable physical traits uses vibrant photographs of children and a short text to inspire young children both to take notice and to look beyond the obvious.
by Shelley Rotner & Sheila M. Kelly
Celebrate diversity with a picture book for very young children about the many faces of contemporary families. Big or small, similar or different-looking, there are all kinds of families. Some have one parent, some have two, and many include extended family. An inclusive look at many varieties of families.
by Mary Hoffman
This fun and fascinating treasury features all kinds of families and their lives together. Each spread showcases one aspect of home life-from houses and holidays, to schools and pets, to feelings and family trees. Ros Asquith's humorous illustrations perfectly complement a charming text from the acclaimed Mary Hoffman; kids will love poring over these pages again and again.
by Todd Parr
Readers will celebrate the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.
by Todd Parr
This book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family. 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.
by Sara O'Leary
When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all. One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One is full of step siblings, and another has a new baby. As one by one, her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, her family is special.
- Trish
Note: All descriptions copied from the comments on the GoodReads & Amazon websites.