Great Children’s Books About Adoption, Foster Care and Family

Foster care and adoption can be complex topics to discuss with children, but books can serve as a helpful tool in starting these conversations. With that in mind, here are some of the best children's books about foster care and adoption.

"A Mother for Choco"

by Keiko Kasza

This heartwarming story follows Choco, a little bird searching for a mother. He meets several animals who offer to be his mother, but he doesn't feel a connection with any of them. Finally, he finds a mother who is different from him but loves him just the same. This book is a great way to talk to children about how families come in all shapes and sizes.

"Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care"

by Jennifer Wilgocki and Marcia Kahn Wright

This book is specifically written for children who are in foster care. It explains what foster care is and what children can expect when they are in the system. In addition, the book is meant to reassure children that they are not alone and that their feelings are normal.

"The Family Book"

by Todd Parr

"The Family Book" celebrates diversity and teaches children that families come in many forms. The book includes families with two moms, two dads, single parents, grandparents, and adopted children. This is an excellent book for children who are learning about adoption or who have friends with different family structures.

"All About Adoption: How Families Are Made & How Kids Feel About It"

by Marc Nemiroff and Jane Annunziata

This book covers everything from the different types of adoption to how children might feel about being adopted. It includes quotes from children who have been adopted and provides a positive message about adoption.

"The Invisible String"

by Patrice Karst

"The Invisible String" is a beautiful book that helps children deal with separation anxiety. It teaches children that they are always connected to the people they love, even when they are apart. This is an excellent book for children in foster care or who have been adopted and may have to deal with separation from their birth family.

"I Wished for You: An Adoption Story"

by Marianne Richmond

This is a heartwarming story about a mother who adopts a child and reassures the child that he was wished for and wanted. It's an excellent book for children who have been adopted and may have questions about their birth family.

"The Great Big Book of Families"

by Mary Hoffman

"The Great Big Book of Families" celebrates diversity and shows children many types of families. It includes families with same-sex parents, single parents, stepfamilies, and foster families. This is an excellent book for children who are learning about adoption or who have friends with different family structures.

"The Star: A Story to Help Young Children Understand Foster Care"

by Cynthia Miller Lovell

"The Star" is about a little girl placed in foster care. She is worried about her mother and misses her, but eventually learns that her foster family loves her and will take care of her. This book is a great way to talk to children about foster care and reassure them that they are safe and loved.

"A Place in My Heart"

by Mary Grossnickle

This book is about a little girl who was adopted and worries that she will forget her birth mother. Her adoptive mother reassures her that she will always have a special place in her heart for both her birth and adoptive families. This is an excellent book for children who have been adopted and may have questions about their birth family.

"Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born"

by Jamie Lee Curtis

This book is about a little girl who asks her parents to tell her the story of the night she was born. Her parents describe their excitement and joy when they first saw her and how they became a family. The book celebrates adoption and the love that families share.

"Adoption is Both"

by Elena S. Hall

"Adoption is Both" explores the idea that adoption is both happy and sad. The book follows a young girl as she asks her adoptive mother about her birth parents and learns that adoption involves loss and gain. The story highlights the importance of honoring and respecting all parts of an adoptee's story, including their birth family, while also celebrating the love and connection that comes with adoption. Through beautiful illustrations and gentle storytelling, "Adoption is Both" provides a helpful tool for families to discuss the complexity of adoption with their children.

"And Tango Makes Three"

by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

“Tango Makes Three” tells the true story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who live in New York City's Central Park Zoo. They form a strong bond and engage in behaviors typically associated with mating and raising young. When a zookeeper gives them an egg that needs to be incubated, Roy and Silo take turns keeping the egg warm until it hatches into a healthy chick, which they name Tango. The book celebrates the diversity of families and challenges traditional notions of what constitutes a family.

"Stellaluna"

written and illustrated by Janell Cannon

The story follows a young fruit bat named Stellaluna, who is separated from her mother during an owl attack and ends up being raised by a family of birds. Stellaluna struggles to fit in with the birds and adapt to their ways of life, which are very different from those of her bat family. However, she eventually learns to embrace her bat instincts and discovers that she can be true to herself while still maintaining important friendships across species. The book teaches important lessons about acceptance, belonging, and the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity.

"Heather Has Two Mommies"

by Lesléa Newman

"Heather Has Two Mommies" is a children's book written by Lesléa Newman that tells the story of a little girl named Heather who has two mothers, Mama Jane and Mama Kate. The book follows Heather's journey as she starts preschool and her classmates ask her about her family. With the help of her teacher, Heather explains that her family is just like any other family, but with two mommies instead of a mommy and a daddy. The book celebrates the diversity of families and shows that love is what makes a family, not gender or sexuality.

Reading books about foster care, adoption, and diverse families can help children understand these complex topics and feel more comfortable. These books offer a variety of perspectives and stories that can be relatable to children going through similar experiences. Reading these books with children can help them feel seen, heard, and loved.

If you or your child are struggling with a family issue, Hope Cottage has counseling services available. Learn more by calling us a 214-526-8721 or sending us an email.