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When we read novels, we hardly pay attention to the little details, but they stay in our subconscious. The background of characters determines how we experience them. As an adopted child or a parent to adopted kids, books about adopted children will always hit close to home. Even if the family setup of the adopted character is far from your reality, you can always relate to their experience at a certain level. Here are the top 10 books about adopted children you should consider reading.
Morris and the Bundle of Worries by Jill Seeney
This is a children’s book that teaches kids how to cope with troubling thoughts. Like adults, young children worry too, and their troubled thoughts are accelerated when they lack the reassurance kids get from a stable family.
The colorful picture book teaches children that talking about their troubling thoughts unburdens them of their worry. That rather than hiding their fears, they should open up to their guardians.
This would be a suitable book for your child as it uses simple illustrations to break down complex concepts kids might not understand. Through the main character Morris, kids get to find out they are not the only ones who have trouble sleeping sometimes.
Elfa and the Box of Memories by Michelle Bell
Losing a family can be a very traumatic experience for young children because they cannot comprehend what is happening at their tender age. Introducing this book to your adopted child teaches them how to focus on the positive rather than the negative things in their life. You can remind them that while they might have lost their biological family, they now have a chance to bond with their adoptive family.
The book also helps adopted children to remember beautiful memories from their past life and feel gratitude for sharing beautiful moments with their biological family. This elaborate picture book gives you an easy time to bond with your adopted child while they’re still young and impressionable.
The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson
The Story of Tracy Beaker pays tribute to all the children in children’s homes, wishing they would get adopted by a loving family. This book is a reminder of how important family is to children, whether biological or adoptive.
It’s a touching yet funny story you will enjoy reading with your child. Whether or not you have adopted kids, this would be an excellent book to teach your kids about the importance of a close-knit family.
Picnic in the Park by Joe Griffiths and Tony Pilgrim
Children need to learn from a young age that not all families are the same. The traditional family setup is not what every child experiences. This book uses a birthday picnic to educate children about the different sorts of families out there.
When children see their type of family represented in a book, it reassures them that theirs is not the only family that’s different. Tony Pilgrim uses this book to remind kids that they don’t need to have a traditional family to feel safe and loved.
The Teazles’ Baby Bunny by Susan Bagnall
Susan Bagnall uses animals to teach children that being part of a mixed family is all right. The book tells the story of rabbits who adopt a baby bubby to make a happy family. This is such a gentle and effective way to approach the topic of adoption so your child can understand what it is.
The book also touches on parents’ joy when they finally find a child to adopt. This way, they can know that they are wanted and appreciated.
Nutmeg Gets Adopted by Judith Foxon
Judith Foxon also uses animals to show children that they can get the motherly and fatherly love they need from adoptive parents. This book touches on separation, as well, and how it’s possible to find a stable family even after separating from your biological family.
If you’re adopting a child from foster care, you can use this book to help your child navigate their emotions through the transition.
Charlie and Lola: I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child
This classic picture book features Lola and Charles, who are siblings. Lauren Child uses this book to teach kids about sibling love while they’re still young and impressionable. The conversations in the book are meant to simulate the real-life relationships between young siblings.
The Rescue Party (Tales From Percy’s Park) by Nick Butterworth
This is a touching story about a park keeper whose day off is interrupted by a little rabbit’s accident. The park keeper then takes it upon themselves to take care of the rabbit. This is the same way adoptive parents step in when kids need a family. If your child is having trouble understanding your family structure, you can use this book to help them understand.
The Most Precious Present in the World by Becky Edwards
The number of kids who feel less than because they don’t look like the rest of their family is huge. Children will struggle with their appearance and accepting love because society has taught them that family members should look the same. Becky Edwards uses this book to show young girls and boys that their parents love them the way they are. It’s a reassuring book that helps you teach your child not to accept the tags society put on them.
A Safe Place for Rufus by Jill Seeney
If you’re a parent to a child who has had a difficult life in the past, you should introduce this book to them. The story is about a cat who despite being loved, gets flashbacks about its previous difficult life.
Adoptive parents sometimes have to love their kids through childhood trauma. This gentle illustration book can help you connect with your child so understand their feelings. While you provide them with a stable home to thrive in, don’t forget to address their struggles so that they can fully recover.
Wrapping Up
Books about adopted children help parents and adopted children learn how to love each other despite the challenges. Introducing your adopted child to these amazing books helps them understand adoption better.