I love books. I mean really.

I know I should not throw the word love around, but

I love books.

And I love childrne's books most of all. And I love to give my children books. And I love to read to my children. And they love to read.

I might be a little picky about children's books. And I'm even pickier about books about adoption because there are certain ways I want and don't want certain issues presented to my children.

Put those things together, and my list of favorite adoption books is not going to be a mile long.

So, here is my short stack of books that would be good {in my opinion} for every adoptive family.

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

I know. I know. The Runaway Bunny is not a book you think of when you think adoption. But our children need to know they are loved with some fierce, momma rabbit I'm-always-coming-after-you-little-bunny love. Yep. It fits.

We Wanted You by Liz Rosenberg

Simple. Good for any adoptive family, but I super-love that this one includes a Latino child. We Wanted You acknowledges the first family briefly, paving the way for future questions: "Somewhere in the world a mother gave birth to you, a father gave life to you. We weren't your first father and mother." 

This book illustrates how much the parents wanted their child. And still do. 

Mommy's Heart Went Pop! by Christina Kyllonen and Peter Greer

Mommy's Heart Went Pop! will be tough for me to read without bawling my eyes out. Features the story of an international African adoption, but it's a great book to read to any adoptee to help convey the love welling up in parents' hearts throughout the process. 

Adoption Is For Always by Linda Walvoord Girard

When Celia realizes what it means to be adopted, she starts asking some hard questions. Adoption Is for Always isn't perfect, but it validates the experience of the adoptee and will aid in starting discussions on various issues such as first family, abandonment, loss, and security. 

Your Child's Lifebook by You 
This is the most important story you can read to your child–the story of his or her beginning. It will take some time and work to construct a lifebook, but It will give your child a glimpse of where they were born, who they come from, what their lives were about before they joined yours, and it will provide a doorway for discussion.

As parents, we carry the burden of making sure adoption issues are confronted and explored. The lifebook is one way we can help our children process and sort through questions and fears.

If you need a resource to help you create a lifebook, try Before You Were Mine by Susan TeBos and Carissa Woodwyk. 

What are your favorite books for adoptive families?

Picture Books for Adoptive Families is part of iHomeschool Network's Summer Hopscotch. Check out the other series here!