There are over 200 adoption books for children to choose from in this list!
These adoption books are sorted the best that I could, considering I haven’t read each book, if you know more about a specific book please leave your advice in the comment section below.
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A Collection of Adoption Books for Children
I have each book linked to Amazon to help you easily find the book details as and reviews that will help you find the right book for you and your child.
I encourage you to read a few adoption books to your child that focus on adoptions NOT similar to their own story as well. No matter what children’s adoption book you read to your child it will open the up the conversation with them about their own story.
16 Types of Adoption Books for Children and the order they are listed:
- Christian Adoption Books
- Latter-Day Saint Adoption – link sends you just below it. Scroll up.
- Adoption Books told by Animal Characters
- Trans-racial Adoption Books
- International Adoption Books, country specific
- International Adoption Books (General)
- Birth mother Perspective Books
- Single Mother Adoption Books
- Grandparent Adoption Books
- Embryo Adoption Books
- Foster & Older Child Adoption Books
- Open Adoption Books
- Children’s Adoption Books (General)
- Adoption Workbooks for children
- Adoption Coloring Books
- Adoption Journals
1. 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!
2. Latter-Day Saint Adoption Book:
- Once Upon A Baby: A Tale of Adoption – by Shari Guess
3. 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
4. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Single Mother Adoption Books:
- The Best Single Mom in the World: How I Was Adopted – by Mary Zisk
8. Grandparent Adoption Books:
- They Chose Me: A Story of Grandparent Adoption – by Rhonda Beheler
- My Grandma Is My New Mommy – by Cliff Greenberg
9. 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
10. 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.
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
You have made it to the end of the list of adoption books for children!
If you know more about any of these books listed, or if you have a suggestion that isn’t listed please share it in the comments below.
I hope you found some helpful Adoption Books for Children! May you feel God’s Blessings throughout your adoption journey.
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Would love for you to see my books. Gotcha Day : a celebration of Adoption and Chinese Take Out :An Adoption Memoir. Author Sheila Temple. Mother of four chinese adoptees
Thanks for the suggestion Sheila! I have added these books to the list 🙂
Add Keeping Kyrie, and Goodbye, Hello – see Amazon or http://www.ParentingClass.Solutions/the-books
Wow! I hadn’t realized there were so many adoption books for children! Thank for this awesome list, such a great resource 🙂
Hi Tamara!
I love that you post about adoption. I recently discovered your pinterest Adoption group board and was wondering if I could be a part of it. I blog and share about our family’s foster to adopt story. You can find my blog at instantfamilyofsix.com.
Thanks,
Melina
Thank you! Looks like you have a great site with well written content as well! I have added you to the group board. Always excited to have more voices to share in this topic 🙂
Hi Tamara,
Do you have any suggestions for books when adopted children are curious about siblings they do not live with? It looks like most books focus on the siblings they gain.
Thank you,
Paulette