There are over 230 adoption books for children to choose from! Granted this list has books from as far back at the 1980’s but as current as 2016!

These books are sorted the best that I could, considering I haven’t read each book. If you see your own book in this list and care to have it reviewed or moved to another category please email me!

This post contains affiliate links

A Collection of Adoption Books for Children

Once you have found a few that interest you I HIGHLY recommend looking them up on Amazon or googling them to read a few reviews before purchasing them.

So many books have incredibly helpful reviews. I have each book linked to Amazon to help you easily find the reviews.

I would also like to encourage you to read a few adoption books to your child that focus on adoptions NOT similar to your own story.

We have read many different childrens adoption books to my boys and no matter the story it still seems to open up a conversation with them about their own story and how special & unique their adoption story is to them.

*Some of these links are Affiliate links*

Adoption Books for Children:

1. Christian Adoption Books
2. Latter-Day Saint Adoption – link sends you just below it. Scroll up.
3. Adoption Books told by Animal Characters
4. Trans-racial Adoption Books
5. International Adoption Books, country specific
6. International Adoption Books (General)
7. Birth mother Perspective Books
8. Single Mother Adoption Books
9. Grandparent Adoption Books
10. Embryo Adoption Books
11. Foster & Older Child Adoption Books
12. Open Adoption Books
13. Children’s Adoption Books (General)
14. Adoption Workbooks for children
15. Adoption Coloring Books
16. Adoption Journals

Christian Adoption Books:

A Blessing from Above (Little Golden Book) – by Patti Henderson and Elizabeth Edge

 “A” is for Adopted– by Eileen Tucker Cosby

Adopted and Loved Forever – by Annetta E. Dellinger

Amy Angel Goes Home: A Heavenly Tale of Adoption – by Kathleen Lathrop

And God Said.See, I Told You So!: A True Story of Faith and Adoption – by Angela Chapman Langstrom

Aurelia’s Journey Home – by Kim Oakes

Child of My Heart– Celebrating Adoption – by Jan Peine

Chosen By Love – by Tom Jaski

Clothed In Armor: Spiritual Warfare for Adopted & Foster Kids – by Carol Lozier LCSW

Einie and OtisAn Adoption Story – by Eugene Ahlswede

Every Time You Call Me Mommy-An Adoption Blessing – by Kimberly Brougham Kane

Forever Families: God’s Gift of Adoption – by Natalie Sutyak and Jennifer Sweeney

God Found Us You – by Lisa Tawn Bergren

God Made Us a Family – by Teresa Lynne

Yes, I’m Adopted! – by Mark Dicken-Bradshaw

In God’s Garden Live The Red Birds – by Jason Hebert

Kirah: Adoption Story – by Elijah

Matthew was adopted: Child of destiny – by Phoebe Dawson

Prayers For Baby Sister: An Adoption Journey – by Natasha Griffin

The Tweetle Bug’s Blessing – by Victoria A. Fletcher

This I Know For Sure…: A Story of How God Answered A Couple’s Prayer Through An Adopted Child – by Karen Capson

You, Little Angel An Adoption Story – by Casey Berna

Encouragement for the Adoption and Parenting Journey: 52 Devotions and a Journal – Not really a kids book, but a helpful devotional!

Latter-Day Saint Adoption Book:

Once Upon A Baby: A Tale of Adoption – by Shari Guess

Adoption Books told by Animal Characters:

A Mom for Umande – by Maria Faulconer True story of a Gorilla Adoption – beautifully illustrates adoption within family

A Mother for Choco – by Keiko Kasza

A Place in My Heart – by Mary Grossnickle

All Bears Need Love – by Tanya Valentine

Geoff the Green Hippo: A Children’s Book about Adoption – by Denise Olson

I Will Love You Forever (Tyrannosaurus Series) – by Tatsuya Miyanishi

I Wished for You An Adoption Story – by Marianne Richmond

Jovi’s Path A Book Celebrating the Path of Adoption – by Jodie C. Coon

The Lamb-A-Roo – by Diana Kimpton

Little Miss Spider– by David Kirk

Mrs. Hen’s Big Surprise – by Christel Desmoinaux – helps explain international and cross-cultural adoption to a toddler

My Adopted Child, There’s No One Like You (Birth Order Books) – by Dr. Kevin Leman

My Look-Like-Me Mommy – by Deanne Hampton

Not Quite Narwhal – by Jessie Sima

Oliver: A Story about Adoption – by Lois Wickstrom

Our Twitchy – by Kes Gray

Rosie’s Family; An adoption story – by Lori Rosove and Heather Burrill

Tad the Squirrel – by Matthew Chatterton

The Little Green Goose – by Adele Sansone & Faust Anke Beautiuful & Original this story is about a dad looking to adopt

The Mulberry Bird: An Adoption Story – by Anne Braff Brodzinsky

The Shortest Giraffe (A story of adoption and love) (A story of adoption and love) – by Kurt Zimmerman

Under the Crybaby Tree – by Sheila Booth-Alberstadt and Bill McCracken

Wild About You! – by Judy Sierra

Interracial/Transracial Adoption Books:

Adoption Stories for Young Children – by Randall B. Hicks

All Bears Need Love – by Tanya Valentine

Asa Comes Home!: An Adoption Story – by Matthew Pillischer

Eyes Like Mine – by Kay Bratt

Heart Picked: Elizabeth’s Adoption Tale – by Sara Crutcher

I Don’t Have Your Eyes – by Carrie A Kitze

Is That Your Sister?: A True Story of Adoption– by Catherine Bunin and Sherry Bunin

Just Really Joseph: A Children’s Book About Adoption, Identity, And Family – by Kayla Craig and Glenys Nellist

Kirah: Adoption Story – by Elijah

Mixed Feelings: An Illustrated Guide For Biracial and Multiracial Kids and their Families – by Mr. Teja Arboleda MEd

My New Mom & Me– by Renata Galindo

We Wanted You – by Liz Rosenberg

Welcome Home Little Baby – Lisa Harper

What I Do Know – by Lori Schlecht

Whoever You Are – by Mem Fox (not adoption specific)

Why Am I Brown?: A Child’s View of Multi-cultural Adoption– by Jacqueline Meissner and Nicolette Stabile

You Grew in My Heart: An Adoption Story – by Rebecca Furrow

International Adoption Books, Country Specific:

Africa:

A Thirst for Home: A Story of Water across the World– by Christine Ieronimo (Ethiopia)

Hi My Name is Hanna and I’m Adopted – by Angie Barton (Ethiopia)

Mommy’s Heart Went POP! – by Christina Kyllonen & Peter Greer

Yafi’s Family: an Ethiopian boy’s journey of love, loss and adoption– by Linda Pettitt (Ethiopia)

Welcome Home Safa and Omar: An Adoption Story

Brazil:

Rain Forest Girl: More Than an Adoption Story – by Chalise Miner

China:

A Sister for Matthew – by Pamela Kennedy

An Mei’s Strange and Wondrous Journey – by Stephan Molnar-Fenton

Carson’s Book: A story about adoption from China – by Richard Busby

Chinese Take Out: An Adoption Memoir – by Sheila Temple

Emma’s American Chinese New Year – by Amy Meadows

Every Year on Your Birthday – by Rose A. Lewis

Finding Joy – by Marion Coste

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes – by Rose A. Lewis

Just Add One Chinese Sister: An Adoption Story – by Patricia McMahon & Conor Clarke McCarthy

Linlin the little panda bear – by Krista L Dolan

Little Miss Ladybug & Her Magical Red Thread – by Karen Acres

Letter of Love from China – by Bonnie Cuzzolino – Written by the Birth-mothers Perspective

Made in China: A Story of Adoption – by Vanita Oelschlager

Mei-Mei’s Lucky Birthday Noodles: A Loving Story of Adoption, Chinese Culture and a Special Birthday Treat – by Shan-Shan Chen & Heidi Goodman Plus it has a delicious recipe at the back

Mei Li and the Wise Laoshi – by Kay Bratt

Miracle in the Land of Wu – by Buffi A Young

Mommy Far, Mommy Near: An Adoption Story – by Carol Antoinette Peacock

Motherbridge of Love – by Xinran

My Beautiful Bow: An Adoption Story – by Lauren Goldman Marshall

Our Baby From China: An Adoption Story – by Nancy D’Antonio

Prayers For Baby Sister: An Adoption Journey – by Natasha Griffin

Shaoey and Dot: Bug Meets Bundle – by Mary Beth Chapman & Steven Curtis Chapman

Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption, and Brownies with Sprinkles – by Darlene Friedman

Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale – by Karen Henry Clark

The Jade Dragon – by Carolyn Marsden – Middle Grade Novel

The Long Ride : A Story of Adoption & the Family of God – by Don Regier

The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale – by Grace Lin

The Story I’ll Tell – by Nancy Tupper Ling About a Boy adoption from China

The White Swan Express: A Story About Adoption – by Elaine M. Aoki & Jean Davies Okimoto

The Year of the Baby (An Anna Wang novel) – by Andrea Cheng Middle Grade Novel

Three Names of Me – by Mary Cummings

You Were Always in My Heart: A Shaoey and Dot Adoption Story – by Mary Beth Chapman and Steven Curtis Chapman

Inuit:

Nala’s Magical Mitsiaq: A Story of Inuit Adoption – by Jennifer Noah

India:

Bringing Asha Home – by Uma Krishnaswami

Korea:

Brian Was Adopted (In Our Neighborhood Series) – by Doris Sanford

Families Are Different (Holiday House Book) – by Nina Pellegrini

From Kimchi to Pizza: My Little Brother’s Adoption Story – by Margot Horwitz

Jin Woo – by Eve Bunting

Katie-Bo: An Adoption Story – by Iris L. Fisher

Ten Days and Nine Nights: An Adoption Story – by Yumi Heo

The Coffee Can Kid – by Jan Czech

We Adopted You, Benjamin Koo – by Linda Walvoord Girard

Mexico:

Lucy’s Family Tree – by Karen Halvorsen Schreck

Russia/Eastern Europe:

Borya and the Burps: An Eastern European Adoption Story – by Joan McNamara

Little Lucy’s Family: A Story about Adoption – by Eleanor Gormally

Love’s Complete: A Russian Adoption Journey – by Teresa Travous Hull

Mishka: An Adoption Tale – by Adrienne Ehlert Bashista

We Are Adopted (What Do You Know About? Books) – by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

Thailand:

From Thailand with Love – by Marliss Melton

Vietnam:

Heart of Mine – by Dan Hojer & Lotta Hojer

June Soon, Dear Moon: A Vietnam Adoption Story  – by Marjorie Cullen

My New Brother Doesn’t Speak English: A Children’s Story of Adoption –by Kathy McKenzie-Runk

When You Were Born in Vietnam: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from Vietnam – By Bartlett Therese

International Adoption Books (General):

Joe’s Special Story (Special Stories Series Book 1) – by Mrs Kate Gaynor

Red in the Flower Bed: An Illustrated Children’s Story about Interracial Adoption – by Andrea Nepa

Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption – by Steven Layne

Happy Adoption Day! – by John McCutcheon

We Wanted You – by Liz Rosenberg

The Queen’s Wish…A Fairytale About Adoption – by Kristen Altbaum

A Girl Named Sophie: An International Adoption Story – by D. R. Now

The Story I’ll Tell – by Nancy Tupper Ling

The Best Family in the World – by Susana Lopez Focused around the childs excitment as they wait to be adopted

Birth mother Perspective Books:

Did My First Mother Love Me?: A Story for an Adopted Child – by Kathryn Ann Miller

The Best For You – by Kelsey Stewart

Who Will Be My Family?: A Storybook about Adoption – by Jennifer Cochran

Wonderful You: An Adoption Story – by Lauren McLaughlin

Single Mother Adoption Books:

The Best Single Mom in the World: How I Was Adopted – by Mary Zisk

Grandparent Adoption Books:

They Chose Me: A Story of Grandparent Adoption – by Rhonda Beheler

My Grandma Is My New Mommy – by Cliff Greenberg

Embryo Adoption Books:

Before You Were Born…Our Wish For A Baby (The Story of Embryo Donation) – by Janice Grimes

Ruby’s Story: An Embryo Adoption Journey – by W. Kathryn Clark & Joanna Cutrara

Foster Adoption & Older Child Adoption Books:

A Family of My Own – by Terri Kelley Told from the childs point-of-view and brings the reader to understand how she thinks and how she sees herself as she waits for her very own forever family.

Adopted: The Ultimate Teen Guide (It Happened to Me) – by Suzanne Buckingham Slade (Age Range: 12 – 17)

Billy Says… Series: Six therapeutic storybooks to help children on their journey through fostering or adoption – by Joanne Alper (Age Range: 3 – 8)

Families Change: A Book for Children Experiencing Termination of Parental Rights – by Julie Nelson (Age Range: 4 – 10)

Gabriella & Samantha’s New Mom – by Pauline Rose Moore Explores thoughts, feelings & fears about being in foster care.

Help A Hamster: Helping Children To Understand Fostering and Adoption (The Copper Tree Class)

Family Day:: Celebrating Ethan’s Adoption Anniversary – by Christine Mitchell (Age Range: 5 – 7)

Mario’s Big Question: Where Do I Belong?/a Child’s Guide Through Adoption – by Carolyn Nystrom & Ann Baum & Shirley Bellwood (Age Range: 8 and up )

Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care  – by Jennifer Wilgocki (Age Range: 4-7) A straightforward look at the issues of foster care, the questions that children ask, and the feelings that they confront.

Murphy’s Three Homes: A Story for Children in Foster Care – by Gilman (Age Range: 3 – 6) A book for children who have been in multiple homes and need an explanation about why that is.

The Perfect Match: A story about foster care, family, and adoption – by Kim Diaz A learning tool with a directive towards the reality of children living in foster care placement, and wishing for a family of their own.

What’s a Foster Family? (Foster to Forever Book 1) – by Anne Garboczi Evans Helps prepare children in a family that are about to help with foster care.

Welcome Home, Forever Child: A Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Beyond – by Christine Mitchell Celebrates a young child joining their forever family past infancy, it is written for children who are NOT adopted as infants.

Who Am I?: And Other Questions of Adopted Kids – by Charlene C. Gianetti (Age Range: 10 and up)  Speaks to preteens and teens seeking answers to their questions about being adopted.

Zachary’s New Home: A Story for Foster and Adopted Children – by Blomquist (Age Range 4-8) Helps explain to a child what is happening in their life through foster care to adoption. 

Open Adoption Books:

I also Came from Your Tummy! Right, Mom?: My Open Adoption Story – by Melissa Ann E. Llamas

Megan’s Birthday Tree: A Story about Open Adoption – by Laurie Lears and Bill Farnsworth

My Tummy Mommy – by Heather Garrett MD

Adoption Books (General):

A Family for Jamie: AN ADOPTION STORY – by Suzanne Bloom

Meant to Love You: A Story About Adoption – by MJ Saltz

ABC, Adoption & Me — a Multi-cultural Picture Book for Adoptive Families – by Gayle H Swift & Casey Anne Swift

Adopted Ed – by Darren Maddern

Adoption Is… – by D.A. Royster

Adoption Is for Always – by Linda Walvoord Girard

Adoption Is Great! – by Darcy Z Campbell

Adoption: We Were Meant to Be a Family – by Colleen Murphy

All about Adoption: How Families Are Made & How Kids Feel about It – by Marc Nemiroff

Am I Special? – by Stephen Hogue

Baby Sasha: A Children’s Book Adoption Story of Love and Inspiration  – by Cassandra Lane

Being Adopted– by Maxine B. Rosenberg

Being Adopted is Super-Duper Special! – by Christine Burger

Billy Says… Series: Six therapeutic storybooks to help children on their journey through fostering or adoption – by Joanne Alper

Born from the Heart – by Berta Serrano

Brother of Mine: Adoption of Love – by Kristyn Parker-Meyer

Cassie Wonders: Adoption Questions asked by a 6 1/2 year old – by Jennifer Knoth

Children’s Book About Adoption: A Kids Picture Book About Adoption With Photos and Fun Facts – by Abigail Tyler

Chosen: An adoption story – by Rebecca D. Turner

Discovering Me: A Journey Book About Adoption – by Betsy Trainor

Doc McStuffins A Baby Doll for Doc – by Disney Book Group

ESP That’s Me!: An interactive story of adoption told by the baby – by Annie-Bug

Finding Baby Bear’s Family: Abigail Learns the True Meaning of Adoption – by Lynda Raymond (Age Range: 2-8) Children learn that natural parents are not the only kind of parents.

Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children – by Sherrie Eldridge and Rob Williams

Gotcha Day: A Celebration of Adoption – by Sheila Temple

Hannah B.’s Epiphany – by Mary C. Murphy

How I Became a Big Sister – by Dave Moore

How I Was Adopted (Mulberry Books) – by Joanna Cole and Maxie Chambliss

I Am a T. Rex! (Dinosaur Train) – by Grosset & Dunlap

I’ll Hold You Forever: An Adoption Story – by Dawn Marie Hooks

I’m Adopted! – by Rob Di Cesare

I’m Adopted! – by Sheila M. Kelly & Shelley Rotner

I’m Adopted, I’m Special – by Beth Rice

Let’s Talk about Adoption – by Diana Star Helmer & D. S. Helmer

Let’s Talk About It: Adoption (Mr. Rogers) – by Fred Rogers

Max and the Adoption Day Party  – by Adria F Klein

Meant to Love You: A Story About Adoption – by M. J. Saltz

My Family is Forever – by Nancy Carlson

My New Family: A First Look at Adoption (First Look at…Series) – by Pat Thomas

My Special Family: A Children’s Book About Open Adoption – by Kathleen Silber & Debra Marks Parelskin

My Special Sister: An adoption story – by Shadan Khalaf

Never Never Never Will She Stop Loving You – by Jolene Durrant

Once upon a Time: An Adoption Story – by Ashley Bigler

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale – by Karen Katz

Rainbow Bridge: An Adoption Story – by Maria Kelmis

Real Sisters Pretend – by Megan Dowd Lambert

Sara Elizabeth, an Adoption Story – by Fran Ballengee

Adoption (Talking About…) – by Jillian Powell

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born – by Jamie Lee Curtis

The Adoption: or How I got Picked up for Adoption – by Desislava Bozhkova

The Boy Detective: and the Mystery of Adoption – by Laraine Hutcherson

The Blooming: An Adoption Story – by Katie Obrecht

The Day We Met You – by Phoebe Koehler

The Ladybug and The Princess: A rags to riches adoption story – by John Paul Jones

The Missing Piece – by Ashlee Linnea Beck

The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale – by Grace Lin

The Tummy Mummy – by Michelle Madrid-Branch

Twice-Upon-A-Time: Born and Adopted – by Eleanora Patterson

Violet’s Magical Journey: A Story of Adoption – by Aiyana Sequana

We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families – by Todd Parr

Why Was I Adopted? The Facts of Adoption With Love and Illustrations – by Carole Livingston

Yes, I’m Adopted! – by Sharlie Zinniger

10 Days Until Forever – by David Peterson

Adoption Workbooks for Children:

A Foster-Adoption Story: Angela and Michael’s Journey: A Therapeutic Workbook for Traumatized Children – by Regina M. Kupecky LSW

Caleb’s Healing Story: An interactive story with activities to help children to overcome challenges arising from trauma, attachment issues, adoption or fostering – by Kathleen A. Chara

Clothed In Armor: Spiritual Warfare for Adopted & Foster Kids – by Carol Lozier LCSW

How Do We Feel About Adoption?: The Adoption Club Therapeutic Workbook on Feelings and Behavior – by Regina M. Kupecky

Let’s Learn About Adoption: The Adoption Club Therapeutic Workbook on Adoption and Its Many Different Forms – by Regina M. Kupecky

Mario’s Big Question: Where Do I Belong?/a Child’s Guide Through Adoption – by Carolyn Nystrom, Ann Baum & Shirley Bellwood

Robbie’s Trail through Adoption — Activity Book – Activity Book – by Adam D. Robe

Who We Are and Why We Are Special: The Adoption Club Therapeutic Workbook on Identity – by Regina M. Kupecky

Adoption Coloring Books:

Adoption ABC Coloring Book – by Pamela Andrews & Cheryl Carter

One Wonderful You: A Unique Book for Adopted People of All Ages – by Francie Portnoy  – Though not an actual coloring book the illustrations are pencil sketches that can easily be colored to represent your personal family.

Welcome Home Safa and Omar – Coloring Book: An Adoption Story – by Joanie Boney& Karen Cordorniz

Adoption Journals:

Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child Updated and Revised – by Beth O’Malley M.Ed

My Adoption Celebration Journal (Children’s Scrapbook Journal) – by Karen Jean Matsko Hood

My Family, My Journey: A Baby Book for Adoptive Families – by Zoe Francesca

I hope you found some helpful Adoption Books for Children! This may be an overwhelming list but I encourage you to take the time and find the right books for your family, I know it’s listed here somewhere 🙂

May you feel God’s Blessings throughout your adoption journey.

Please pin this picture so others can find this list too: