Books About Adoption
1. Amy Angel Goes Home: A Heavenly Tale of Adoption by Kathleen Lathrop Ages 4 and up
The message of this book is that adoption is the purposeful union of lives and hearts. Baby Amy is in the "waiting to be born heaven" with the Great Guardian Angel and learns that God's messenger will deliver her to the parents whom God wants her to have.
2. Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado Ages 1 and up
The message of this book is that God had a plan for you before you were born and wanted to put you in just the right home. "So after lots of looking for just the right family. God sent you to me. And I's so glad that He did."
3. The Best Single Mom in the World by Mary Zisk Ages 3 -9
Mary and her mom love to tell the story of how they became a family. Before Mary was born, her mom lived alone in their house. She loved her work and her friends, but something was missing...Mary! Her mom wanted to share her life with a child. So she traveled the world, across the ocean, and over the mountains, to find Mary.
4. Twice Upon a Time: Born and Adopted by Eleanora Patterson Ages 4 - 10
Not every family is formed in the same way, but all children, even adopted ones, grew inside their birthmother before they were born. It then explains how a child enters a family through adoption.. Helps adopted children feel good about themselves and their families.
5. We See the Moon by Carrie Kitze Ages 3 - 10
Provides children with a foundation to begin the lifelong process of understanding adoption and how it relates to their birthparents. This story is written from the child's perspective, asking questions that dwell in their hearts about their birthparents... What do you look like? Where are you now? Do you think of me?
6. How I Was Adopted by Joanna Cole Ages 4 - 9
This is a great book to share with your child's class if doing a talk about adoption. The little girl in the book tells her story that is completely her own, yet common to millions of families. It is a story of how babies are born (this part can be skipped if using it for a class discussion), story of what makes people different and what makes them the same.
7. Rosie's Family: An Adoption Story by Lori Rosove Ages 4 - 10
A story about belonging in a family regardless of differences. Rosie is a beagle who was adopted by schnauzers.
8. Mr. Rogers - Let's Talk About It: Adoption by Fred Rogers Ages 3 - 8
Another great one to use in the school setting to explain adoption. Mr. Rogers confronts, with sensitivity and insight, the questions children have about being adopted. The message of the book - the secure feeling of belonging in a family comes from being loved.
9. Did My First Mother Love Me? by Kathryn Miller Ages 4 - 8
This book tells of one birthmother's wishes, hopes, and dreams for her child. It helps to reassure children that their birthmother did love them and wanted the best for them.
10. We Wanted You by Liz Rosenburg Ages 4 - 10
Told in the voices of a child's parents, it relates the story of an adoption, from waiting to meeting the child for the first time, etc.. The story is presented as a series of family snapshots.
11. When I Met You: A Story of Russian Adoption by Adrienne Ehlert Bashista Ages 3 and up
Story of a Russian adoption that contrast a child's life before and after the adoption in ways that are respectful and insightful. The book answers questions an adopted child often has, whether voiced or not. There are Russian words sprinkled throughout the book.
12. Seeds of Love: For Brothers and Sisters of International Adoption by Mary Petertyl
This story helps brothers and sisters of international adoption work through their feelings about being separated from their parents during this important time. It also gives fun and practical ideas for easing their children's anxiety prior to adoption travel.
13. Why Was I Adopted by Carole Livingston. Ages 3 and up. From a reviewer on amazon: I'm 23, my younger sister is 20. We are both adopted from seperate birthparents. I don't remember not knowing I was adopted. I remember reading this book a lot though. My cousin and I would read it out loud to each other and laugh at the pictures. When my sister was old enough, two or three I think, I started reading it to her. This book is something that will always be a good memory. It helped me understand who I was and what it meant to be adopted.
14. Lucy's Family Tree by Karen Schreck Ages 7 - 12
When Lucy receives a homework assignment to make a family tress, she thinks that because she was adopted, her family is too "different". However, when her parents challenge her to find a "typical" family, she realizes that all families are unique. She finds an original way to finish her project that celebrates who she is. This book explores what really makes a family.
15. Borya and the Burps: An Eastern European Adoption Story by Joan McNamara Ages 2 - adult
This book is wonderful. Children will love it and adults will gain insight into what life was like in an orphanage and the adjustments their child had to go through when becoming a part of a family.
16. The Red Blanket by Eliza Thomas. Ages 3 and up. – After learning that she has qualified to adopt a baby, a woman purchases a variety of necessities, including a soft, red blanket that she has been eyeing for months. She takes it with her to the orphanage. Understandably, the infant, PanPan, is upset by all the changes in her young life when she is taken by taxi to a hotel, and the dazzling red blanket is the only comfort she finds on that first day. Over the years, the blanket has become threadbare and fragile while the relationship between mother and daughter has strengthened.
17. Rosie's Family: An Adoption Story by Lor Rosove Ages 4 - 10
A story about belonging in a family. Rosie is a beagle who was adopted by schnauzers. Included are notes for parents to help with discussing questions about adoption.
18. Over Land and Sea: A Story of International Adoption by Steven Layn. Ages 4 an up - This book will appeal to adoptive families and non-adoptive families alike, with its celebration of family and the enchantment that accompanies the welcoming of new family members. A diversity of children’s faces are visible with every turned page, offering lessons in how we are more alike than different in our daily rituals: naps, baths, peek-a-boo, and playing are activities that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
19. A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza Ages 1 - 5
Choco is looking for his mother. He's sure that she must look just like him - yellow feathers, big round cheeks, wings, and striped feet. But all the animals he meets look different than he does. Mrs. Bear doesn't look like Choco, but she does hug, kiss, sing and dance with him. Most importantly, she loves him dearly. Together they realize that she is the perfect mother for Choco.
20. Adoption is for Always by Linds Walvoord Ages 5 - 12
When Celia learns that she is adopted, she is upset. Why did her birthmother make an adoption plan? Did she do something wrong? Her parents' explanation of adoption helps to reassure her. It is a comforting book for children to understand about a birthparent's decision to make an adoption plan.
21. Did My First Mother Love Me? by Kathryn Miller Ages 3 - 8
This book tells of one birthmother's wishes, hopes and dreams for her child. It helps reassure children that their birthmother did indeed love them and want the best for them.
22. One Wonderful You by Marilyn Ages 4 - 10
This book shows how the child is a blend of two families, the physical traits that come from the birth family plus the nurturing contributions from the adoptive family, combing to form a complete person. This is a positive book for adopted children. It incorporates two family legacies into his or her self-definition.
23. Mommy Far, Mommy Near by Carol Antoinette Peacock. Ages 5 and up.
Because Elizabeth was adopted from China, she assumes that all babies came from China. Her mommy explains that babies grow inside their mother and can come from any country. She tells Elizabeth that she was two mothers, one in China who grew her and one in the United States who adopted her. This book will help children, adopted from any country, understand that they are loved very much even though their first mother couldn't raise them. It will also help children understand that children are adopted from many countries around the world and reassure children about their own adoption. It will also help start a conversation about their own, personal adoption stories.
24. Happy Adoption Day by John McCutcheon Ages 1 -5
A book written as a song!
25. My Family is Forever by Nancy Carlson Ages 3 and up
Being part of a family isn't about who you look like or even where you were born. It's about love that binds you together.
A reassuring book about how one little girl came into her parents' world through adoption and made them a family forever.
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26. Adoption is Okay Ages 5 and up
This book is written in both English and Russian. It is a reassuring book that explains adoption and the process in simple terms. It is great for those early days
together and the years to come. Older children will be able to read it themselves since the Russian translation is on each page.
27. A Place in My Heart Ages 4 and up
This book reassures children that it's okay to ask questions and gives parents an opportunity to discuss adoption, birthparents, and the fact that our hearts are big enough to hold everyone we care about.
28. Goose Ages 2 and up - On a dark, stormy night, an egg blows out of a goose's nest and rolls into a woodchuck's den. The woodchuck family happily accepts the baby goose that hatches, but no matter how they try, the little goose feels sad and different. It is only after she goes off into the world and accidentally falls off a cliff that she discovers that she can fly. So, she flies back to her adopted family secure in her uniqueness.
29. What is Adoption? Newest Addition! - Great book to be used if you are planning to do a talk about adoption at your child's school, want to explain adoption to children in your family, etc. Also, great to use for a presentation during the month of November, National Adoption Awareness month.
The Story Line
Violet and Alex are good friends. One day Alex trusts Violet to see his lifebook and thus she learns that her best friend is adopted. This brings up a lot of questions within Violet so she turns to her mom for some answers.
Violet learns many valuable lessons about adoption, such as:
Families are formed in many different ways.
Children are adopted for many different reasons and at different ages.
Each family is unique and made up of different people who care and love each other.
Appropriate and clear adoption language is addressed, such as the word "real" not being an O.K. term.
The adoption plan and court is explained very quickly, but enough for a child to grasp.
Each adoption story is different and private.
Violet also spends time talking with Alex's mom as she has concerns about Alex being a permanent part of their family. Violet ends with a complete and age appropriate education on the subject of adoption. Children reading or hearing What is Adoption? will enjoy the story and learn along with Viole
Books and DVD's Related to Russia and Russian Culture
The following books are great to just read to your child or use if you want to do a presentation on Russia to your child's class. Also, as our children get older, they will be assigned projects. Our daughter used several of the books below to complete her social studies project on Matryoshkas this year.
1. How the Russian Snow Maiden Helped Santa Claus All ages by Gail Buyske
Santa is overworked one year and writes for help to his friend, Father Frost, the Russian Santa. A cross-cultural Christmas tale with some fun-to-say Russian words!
2. Colors of Russia by Shannon Zemlicka Ages 3 and up
What color is Russia? It's blue like the cold water of Lake Baikal, white like the snow-covered land of Siberia, gold like the onion domes, orange like the Siberian tiger.
3. Russia, DK Eyewitness Book - Ages 5 and up. Provides an overview of Russia from the earliest time to the present. While young children will be attracted by its visuals, older readers will learn much from the commentaries. Geography, historical periods, and cultural topics are presented in two-page spreads that include an introductory paragraph, colorful illustrations, and fascinating captions. Great book for using in your child's classroom, for school reports, and just looking it with your child. These pictures are great. They are like all other DK books, photos of real items and people.
4. Russia, A True Book by Martin Hintz Ages 5 and up - Another great book about Russia for young children. An easy-to-read history of Russia with real pictures of famous landmarks in Russia, Russian families, Russian rubles, Russian space station, etc.
5. My Little Matryoshka by Tanya Roitman Ages 2 - 5 - For years, matryoshkas—Russian nesting dolls—have captured the imaginations of children all over the world. This interactive novelty book is illustrated with authentic Russian folk art and features the days of the week with push-out dolls. This unusual format encourages children to invent stories, play games, and put the dolls in sequential order before putting them back into the book. New words to a traditional children's song introduce readers to the unique food of eastern Europe.
6. The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan - Ages - 9 and up - 13-year-old Marya's parents are arrested and sent into exile (Siberia). Marya and her younger brother Georgi try to manage on their own at first, but eventually they set off on a long trek from Leningrad to Siberia, where they hope to locate their mother. Although the odds are great, with help from a kindly doctor, a fisherman's wife, and a band of nomadic Samoyeds, they succeed. Whelan centers her narrative on the children's journey, adding depth with a wealth of rich background details--about political prisons, the prevailing attitudes toward Communist dissidents, the changing lifestyles of the indigenous peoples of Siberia, and the absence of personal and religious freedoms, and much more. This book is also for adults who want to gain a better understand of Russia in during this time period (1934).
7. Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan - Ages 9 and up - a young girl joins Russian Tsar Nikolai II, Empress Alexandra, and their children when her mother becomes one of the empress's ladies-in-waiting. Katya Ivanova, as companion to the Romanov children, has an insider's view of the crumbling of tsarist Russia from 1913 to 1918. Initially, life is lavish and amusing for this young aristocrat, although her friend Misha's revolutionary ideas often battle in her mind with her own loyalty to the tsar. Gradually, though, the world outside begins to enter the palace walls, and Katya's life--along with that of all nobility--changes forever. This book is also for adults interested in understanding this time period in Russian history8. The Endless Steppe: Growing Up in Siberia by Esther Hautzig - Ages 10 and up - Ten-year-old Esther Rudomin movingly describes "the end of my lovely world" when her family is arrested by the Russians in 1941 and taken from their home and exiled to Siberia.
8. The Nutcracker Ballet by Vladimir Vagin - Ages 3 and up. It's Christmas Eve in 19th century Europe. And on this magical evening, young Clara's eccentric godfather has given her a beautiful wooden nutcracker.As midnight strikes, Clara's wooden toy transforms into a handsome prince, and Christmas quickly becomes even more enchanting. The prince takes Clara on a romantic overnight adventure into a dream world of delicacies called the Land of Sweets.Clara's adventure ends as she wakes up snuggly tucked in her bed. As she embraces her nutcracker, she realizes that the best part of Christmas...is the magic it brings. This book has beautiful pictures!
9. The Snow Princess by Ruth Sanderson - Ages 6 and up –Inspired by the Russian ballet The Snow Maiden, Sanderson has written a fictional tale of the daughter of Father Frost and Mother Spring. Unmindful of her parents' warnings that she will become mortal if she loves a human, the Snow Princess goes off to learn the ways of people. When she falls in love with a young man and saves him from dying in a snowstorm that she has created, she willingly trades her immortality for love.
10. Babushka's Doll by Patricia Polacco - ages 3 -9. When Natasha wants something, she wants it now --not after her grandmother, Babushka, has finished her chores. Babushka gets tired of this attitude, and finally goes off to the market, leaving Natasha to play with a special doll that she keeps on a high shelf. The doll comes to life and subjects Natasha to the same sort of insistent whining that Natasha used on Babushka. The girl learns her lesson and turns out "to be quite nice after all."
11. The Tale of The Firebird by Gennady Spirin - Ages 6 and up. Someone is stealing the Tsar's golden apples. When Ivan-Tsarevitch, the ruler's youngest son, is sent to watch, he discovers that the culprit is the magnificent firebird. Able to snatch only a single feather, he embarks on a quest to find the bird, accompanied by a faithful wolf with magical powers. In the course of the quest, he is also required to search for a horse with a golden mane, and battle Koshchei the Immortal to rescue Yelena the Beautiful.
12. The Kingfisher Book of Tales From Russia by Mayhew - Ages 6 and up. Russia's most famous folk tales are retold in an accessible and child-friendly style in this collection, coupled with beautiful illustrations.
13. Sasha and Babushka by Vladimir Shpitalnik - ages 4 and up. It is Sasha's birthday and her grandmother has a wonderful surprise planned for her, a trip to Moscow. Join Sasha as she journeys by train to visit famous landmarks and attends a magical puppet show. Beautiful illustrations!
14. Swan Lake by Pyotr Tchaikovsky - ages 5 and up. Tchaikivsky's original 1877 ballet, with its happy ending in which true love conquers all. Beautiful illustratons!
15. On Their Toes: A Russian ballet School by Ann Morris - ages 5 and up. An inside view of Russian youngsters being trained for this physically demanding career. On Their Toes focuses on the Vaganova Choreographic Institute, the school of the Kirov Ballet. Full-color photographs concentrate on students from the second-year class, showing them at work and at play, in the studio and at home.
16. The Russian Ballet School by Leon Harris - ages 5 and up. Great photos and interesting information about life during the Soviet Union for children
studying ballet!
17. Wolfhound by Kristine Franklin - ages 4 and up. Pavel, a young boy living in czarist Russia, rescues a half-frozen dog and asks his father if he can keep it. But the dog is a wolfhound and only nobles keep wolfhounds! Hoping the wolfhound will find its way home, Pavel leads it into the Tsar's forest. A pack of wolves approaches, and as the dog chases them off, the Tsar arrives. He thanks Pavel for saving Tatiana (the dog) and sends him home to tell the tale. But no one believes a word of it until the spring, when a royal messenger delivers a gift from Tatiana, a puppy!
18. The Children of Theatre Street -THIS IS A DVD. Russia's elite Vaganova Choreographic Institute, known better as the Kirov School, has trained talented dancers for generations, including such ballet greats as Nijinsky, Nureyev, Pavlova, and Baryshnikov. The Children of Theatre Street provides an evocative documentary glimpse behind Kirov walls during the height of the Soviet era, covering one school year of grueling auditions for applicants and rigorous rehearsals for upcoming graduates.
