6 books about adoption to read with your children

Adoption used to be much more of a taboo subject with adopted children, with many parents deciding to keep the adoption a secret. Now, families are much more open, and most families explain the process to their children at an early age.

Still, when your child starts asking difficult questions, it can be hard to know how to explain more complicated and abstract concepts like adoption. Your child will likely want to know why they were placed for adoption, if they look like their birth parents, why you chose them for adoption, and other questions that might be hard to explain.

Books can be an amazing tool when it comes to explaining adoption. Authors who write books for children are experts at using simple concepts and dynamic pictures to entertain children. Several authors have written incredible books that can help you explain adoption to your children.

I Wished for You: An Adoption Story by Marianne Richmond

In this book, a young bear named Barley has a conversation with his Mama bear, and he asks the same questions most adoptive children usually ask.

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 is super cute, all about a child who’s super proud of his adoption story.

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

We love the dynamic, colorful images and the simple writing style are perfect for younger kids. The book talks about the different ways that people can come together to form a happy family.

Babies Come From Airports by Erin Dealey

This book is all about “Gotcha Day” and what it means to families who have adopted. We love the rhymes in this one, and the final message that all babies come from love is perfect.

Horace by Holly Keller

Horace is a leopard who is adopted by tiger parents, and this book is adorable! The story is very simple and reassuring.

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale by Karen Katz

The author of this book was an international adoption, and the book does an amazing job of showing the anticipation adoptive parents feel when their waiting for their child.