Adopted Like Me: My Book of Adopted Heroes. Ann Angel, illustrated by Marc Thomas, $23.95

You may not know this but many famous and inspirational people were adopted. Adopted Like Me introduces you to great musicians like Bo Diddley, politicians like Nelson Mandela, and stars like Marilyn Monroe. Meet these along with inventors, athletes, and a princess skilled in judo and fencing — all of them adopted like me. Read about these adoptees and you'll see that you can grow up to be just about anything you want to be! Fully illustrated in color, this book is for children aged 8+ who have been adopted, their parents, teachers and siblings.

Adopted: the Ultimate Teen Guide. Suzanne Buckingham Slade, $55.00

Adopted: the Ultimate Teen Guide enables young adults to explore their feelings as they read about the personal feelings of others. Full of stories, pictures, artwork — this up-to-date resource will help adopted teens move on to stable and happy lives as adults.

All about Adoption: How Families Are Made & How Kids Feel About It. M. Nemiroff & J. Annunziata, $13.50 (ages 4-8)

For children adopted at any age and from any country, All About Adoption explores the what, how and why of adoption, as well as the many feelings kids can experience as they grow up. And for parents, an extensive afterword discusses the unique practical and emotional dimensions of adoptive children and their families, with suggestions for answering the most challenging questions.

Because of You. Robin VanDyke, illustrated by Devan Kallas, $11.95

Because of You is a heartwarming children's book about growing families through adoption. This beautiful family love story is told with amazing full color artwork that even the youngest readers will enjoy.

The Best Family in the World. Susana López & Ulises Wensell, $16.50

Carlotta is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her new family. What will they be like?

Billy Says. Joanne Alper, $69.00 (6 volumes, sold as a set only)

A set of six full colour picture books guiding children aged 3-8 through the process of fostering and adoption, by focusing on the experiences of a five-year-old girl called Kirsty and her magic doll Billy. Billy helps Kirsty to understand what is happening to her and to make sense of her complicated feelings.

Book 1 "It's not your fault" explores children's feelings when they are living in neglectful families.
Book 2 "You should be taken care of" covers fears around moving into foster care.
Book 3 "Foster carers can help" explains what happens when children move into foster care.
Book 4 "What you think matters" covers courts and the planning process.
Book 5 "Waiting can be hard" focuses on waiting for an adoptive family.
Book 6 "Living as a new family takes practice" explores living with an adoptive family.

This set is ideal for use by social workers, foster carers, adoptive parents and counsellors to help children aged 3-8 to understand the fostering and adoption process and to cope with the complex feelings that can arise.

Born from the Heart. Berta Serrano, illustrated by Alfonso Serrano, $15.95

Every child is born from the heart — whether or not the mother gave birth to that baby. This poetic and magical parable celebrates the richness of family as Rose and Charlie embark on the search for the child they so desperately want. As Rose's dream gets closer to coming true, her heart grows and grows... until it bursts with happiness, laughter, and wonder when she finally kisses the beautiful face of her new baby. 

Bringing Asha Home. Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Jamel Akib, $13.95

It's Rakhi, the Hindu holiday special to brothers and sisters, and Arun wishes he had a sister with whom to celebrate. Soon it looks as if his wish will come true. His parents are going to adopt a baby girl named Asha. She is coming all the way from India, where Arun's dad was born. 

The family prepares for Asha's arrival, not knowing it will be almost a year until they receive governmental approval to bring Asha home. Arun is impatient and struggles to accept the long delay, but as time passes he finds his own special ways to build a bond with his sister, who is still halfway around the world. 

With warmth and honesty, this tender story taps into the feelings of longing, love and joy that adoption brings to many families. Readers will find reassurance knowing there is more than one way to become part of a loving family. 

Can I Tell You about Adoption? A Guide for Friends, Family, and Professionals. Anne Braff Brodzinsky, $15.95

Meet Chelsea — a young girl who is adopted. Chelsea invites you to learn about adoption from her perspective and introduces us to two friends of hers who have been transracially adopted. Chelsea and her friends help children understand what it means to be adopted, the experiences and challenges that follow the adoption process, and how they can help. Accessible and informative, this illustrated book is an ideal introduction to adoption for children aged 7+ and is a great tool for encouraging discussions for families, teachers and professionals working with adopted children.

Cleo Edison Oliver — Playground Millionaire. Sundee Frazier, $8.99

Cleopatra Edison Oliver has always been an entrepreneur, just like her inspiration, successful businesswoman Fortune A. Davies. So when Cleo's fifth-grade teacher assigns her class a "Passion Project," Cleo comes up with her best business idea yet: the finest "tooth-pulling" company in town. With the help of her best friend Caylee, a Nerf gun, her dad's tablet, and her patented Persuasion Power, Cleo's Quick and Painless Tooth Removal Service starts to take off.

But even the best made plans, by the best CEOs, go awry sometimes. A minor barfing incident during a tooth-pulling operation causes Cleo to lose customers. Caylee, initially enthusiastic about the business, grows distant as Cleo neglects their friendship in lieu of getting more customers. And when a mean classmate makes fun of Cleo for being adopted, everything comes crashing down. Will she be able to rescue her business, salvage her friendship with Caylee, and discover that her true home has been here all along?

The Day We Met You. Phoebe Koehler, $9.99. Ages 2-5

"The sun shone bright the day we met you." So begins a mother and father's loving description of the joyful, excited preparations for bringing home their adopted baby. Phoebe Koehler's simple affectionate words and soft, rich pastels combine to create the perfect read-aloud for adoptive parents to explain the adoption experience to even the youngest children.

Ellen’s Book of Life. Joan Givner, $12.95

During the most difficult summer of her life, Ellen finally begins the search for her birth mother. The results are surprising, moving and often very funny, turning life upside down in more ways than one.

Elliot. Julie Pearson, Illustrated by Manon Gauthier, $18.95 (ages 4-8)

Elliot’s parents love him very much, but all is not well. When he cries, they do not understand why. When he yells, they do not know what to do. When he misbehaves, they do not know how to react. One day a social worker named Thomas comes to visit, and Elliot’s world turns upside-down.

A gentle, warm-hearted story of one child’s journey through the foster care system in search of a “forever, forever” home.

Forever Fingerprints: an Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children. Sherrie Eldridge, illustrated by Rob Williams, $17.95

Forever Fingerprints is an uplifting children's picture book about an adopted child who realises that her fingerprints alone give her a special connection to her birth parents.

Half a World Away. Cynthia Kadohata, $9.99 (ages 10-14)

Eleven-year-old Jaden is adopted, and he knows he’s an “epic fail.” That’s why his family is traveling to Kazakhstan to adopt a new baby — to replace him, he’s sure. And he gets it. He is incapable of stopping his stealing, hoarding, lighting fires, aggressive running, and obsession with electricity. He knows his parents love him, but he feels... nothing.

When they get to Kazakhstan, it turns out the infant they’ve traveled for has already been adopted, and literally within minutes are faced with having to choose from six other babies. While his parents agonize, Jaden is more interested in the toddlers. One, a little guy named Dimash, spies Jaden and barrels over to him every time he sees him. Jaden finds himself increasingly intrigued by and worried about Dimash. Already three years old and barely able to speak, Dimash will soon age out of the orphanage, and then his life will be as hopeless as Jaden feels now. For the first time in his life, Jaden actually feels something that isn’t pure blinding fury, and there’s no way to control it, or its power.

Happy Adoption Day! John McCutcheon & Julie Paschkis, $7.99 (preschool)

This uplifting book commemorates the day when a child joins an adoptive family. These verses reassure adopted children they are special. This adaptation of McCutcheon's song comes complete with musical notation.

Help! I’ve Been Adopted. Brenda McCreight, $22.95

Help! I've Been Adopted will answer many of the questions that adoptees have about their lives. This book presents issues such as “Why do birth parents give up or lose their children?”, “What is attachment and how does it affect my life?” “How do adoptive parents get matched to a child?” “Who makes all the decisions about a child’s life” and more.

This book is full of helpful suggestions to promote discussion between the adoptive parents and the child, and it will help social workers and counselors gain a new perspective on how to support the early stages of an adoption placement.

A Home for Ruby: Helping Children Adjust to New Families. PJ Neer, $13.95

Ruby, a spirited horse, never felt loved by her previous owners. She misbehaved all the time and eventually each owner sent her off to a different farm. One day she arrived at Meadow Green, a wonderful farm with many other horses. She thought for sure that she would be sent away again to another farm, so she continued to misbehave there. Jen was Ruby’s new owner and, through patience, Jen and Ruby became best friends. It took some time but Ruby realized that bad behavior was not the right way to get attention. Ruby learned that her new home with her new family was exactly where she wanted to be.

Through Ruby, children will see the importance of relationships and how to get along with a new family. At the end of the book there are helpful tips to open up discussions for parents, educators and children on adjusting to a new home.

How I Was Adopted. Joanna Cole & Maxie Chambliss, $8.50 (ages 4-8)

Sam has a joyful story to tell, one completely her own, yet common to millions of families — the story of how she was adopted. Most of all, it's a story about love. And in the end, Sam's story comes full circle, inviting young readers to share stories of how they were adopted.

How Nivi Got Her Names. Laura Deal, illustrated by Charlene Chua, $10.95

Nivi has always known that her names were special, but she does not know where they came from. One sunny afternoon, Nivi decides to ask her mom. The stories of the people Nivi is named after lead her to an understanding of traditional Inuit naming practices and knowledge of what those practices mean to Inuit people. 

How Nivi Got Her Names is an easy-to-understand introduction to traditional Inuit naming, with a story that touches on Inuit custom adoption.

How Sprinkle the Pig Escaped the River of Tears: a Story about Being Apart from Loved Ones. Anne Westcott & CC Alicia Hu, $19.95

Sprinkle the pig has moved to a new house, with a new family, but he misses his old family. On his first day at school his classmate yells at him, and everything gets too much. He cries and cries, and soon the tears become a river and carry him away! Wise monkey spots Sprinkle, but he is too far away. Can he help Sprinkle to find hidden strengths to survive the river of tears?

This therapeutic picture book is written to help children aged 4-10 and adults to talk about being separated from or losing loved ones, and explores how difficult experiences can affect how your body feels and reacts to things. It is followed by easy to read advice for adults on how to help your child.

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes. Rose Lewis, Illustrated by Jane Dyer, (ages 4-6) $18.99; board book, $9.99 (ages 2-4)

This story of a woman who travels to China to adopt a baby girl, based on the author's own experiences, is a celebration of the love and joy a baby brings into the home.

I Wished for You: an Adoption Story. Marianne Richmond, $20.95 (preschool)

'Mama,' said Barley. 'Tell me again how I'm your wish come true.' Thus begins this beautiful story for adoptive families. 

Journey Home. Lawrence McKay, Jr., illustrated by Dom & Keunhee Lee, $13.95

Ten-year-old Mai is off to Vietnam with her mother to search for her mother’s birth family. Adopted in North America after the Vietnam War, Mai’s mother has always wanted to see her birthplace and look for her other family but Mai is alternately fearful of what they will find and excited by everything they experience.

Just Right Family: an Adoption Story. Silvia Lopez, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, $22.99

Meili, who is six years old and adopted from China, learns that her parents are going to adopt a baby from Haiti. She’s not happy. Why do they need a new baby? Their family is just right as it is. As Meili learns more about her new sibling and the importance of being a big sister, will she realize that a new addition can be just right for their family too?

Lucy's Family Tree. Karen Halvorsen Schreck, illustrated by Stephen Gassler, $9.95

When Lucy comes home from school with a family tree assignment, she asks her parents to write her a note to excuse her from the task. Lucy's adoption from Mexico makes her feel as though her family is too "different," but her parents gently and wisely challenge Lucy to think some more about it and to find three families that are the "same."

Maggie Can’t Wait. Frieda Wishinsky, Illustrated by Dean Griffiths, $9.95

Maggie can't wait to show her friends the picture of her soon-to-be adopted sister, but she is mortified by their reaction. Maybe her parents shouldn’t adopt that baby after all. Maggie Can't Wait features a little girl with a big imagination as she dreads the arrival of a new adopted sister and learns how easy it is to make up her own mind.

A Mama for Owen. Marion Dane Bauer, Illustrated by John Butler, $19.99 (preschool)

Owen the baby hippo and his mama were best friends. They loved to play hide-and-seek on the banks of the Sabaki River in Africa. That was all before the tsunami came and washed Owen's world away. But after the rain stops, Owen befriends Mzee, a grayish brown tortoise. He plays with him, snuggles with him, and decides he just might turn out to be his best friend and a brand-new mama. 

A Mother for Choco. Keiko Kasza, $6.99 Ages 4-7; Boardbook version $10.99

Choco is a little yellow bird who lives all alone. He wishes he had a mother, but who could she be? One day, he decides to search for a mother. First he asks Mrs. Giraffe, but she is not Choco's mother — she doesn't have wings like he does. Then he asks Mrs. Penguin, but she doesn't have big round cheeks like Choco. None of the animals seems to be right for Choco. Will he ever find a mother?

Motherbridge of Love. Josée Masse, $9.99 (school age)

This beautiful poem celebrates the bond between parent and adopted child in a special way. Through the exchanges between a little girl born in China and her adoptive parent, this title offers a poignant and inspiring message to adoptive parents and children all over the world. 

My New Mom & Me. Renata Galindo, $21.99

Here is a heartwarming and completely accessible story about adoption, diversity, and acceptance. Told from the point of view of a puppy who is adopted by a cat, this gentle and reassuring tale is perfect for very young readers and listeners.

Nala’s Magical Mitsiaq: a Story of Inuit Adoption. Jennifer Noah & Qin Leng, $10.95

Adoption among Inuit families — known as Inuit custom adoption — is a unique and age-old practice that sees families within Nunavut placing children with adoptive parents in the communities as they see fit. This tradition remains a celebrated part of Inuit culture and identity to this day. This tale of family love, inspired by the author’s own family, explains the unique process of custom adoption and introduces kids to the importance of adoption within Inuit culture.

On The Night You Were Born. Nancy Tillman, $18.99, boardbook $9.99

On the night you were born, the whole world came alive with thanksgiving. The moon stayed up till morning. The geese flew home to celebrate. Polar bears danced. On the night you were born you brought wonder and magic to the world. Here is a book that celebrates you. It is meant to be carried wherever life takes you, over all the roads, through all the years.

This stunningly beautiful picture book by Nancy Tillman has touched the hearts of readers of all ages, from the youngest readers, to new parents, to grandparents. On the Night You Were Born is sure to be a beloved addition to family libraries.

A Place in My Heart. Mary Grossnickle, illustrated by Alison Relyea-Parr, $19.95

Who are my birthparents? Is it okay to think about them? Can I care about all of my parents at once? A Place in My Heart tells the simple story of Charlie, a chipmunk adopted by a family of squirrels, who starts to wonder about his birthparents. At first he is scared that this might upset his family but feels much better when he talks to his mother. The story reassures children that it is okay to ask questions about their birthparents without upsetting their “forever” (adoptive) parents. This fully illustrated picture book for adopted children aged 2-5 gives you an opportunity to discuss adoption, birthparents, and the fact that our hearts are big enough to hold everyone we care about.

Rebecca's Journey Home. Brynn Olenberg Sugarman, illustrated by Michelle Shapiro, $11.95

A Jewish family adopts a baby from Vietnam and her new brothers eagerly await her homecoming. Rebecca's Journey Home is a heartwarming story that reflects the growing cultural diversity of the Jewish community.

Rosie the Raven. Helga Bansch, $12.95

There’s something very different going on in the raven’s nest. When the eggs hatch, a little girl emerges from one of the shells, along with her black raven siblings. Loving raven parents take their little Rosie just the way she is.

In the beginning, Rosie tries to do everything her siblings do. She opens her mouth to receive worms from her parents, tries to caw until she is hoarse, and wildly flaps her arms in an attempt to fly. The neighbors offer encouragement. “Rub it with birch leaves. That will make its feathers grow!” Rosie finally realizes she is different. Maybe she can’t caw or fly, but a world of discovery awaits her nonetheless.

Helga Bansch’s exquisite artwork of collages and colored images bring humor, mood, and emotion to Rosie’s story. The reader is drawn to Rosie from the instant she pushes herself from the egg, smiling and happy to greet her family, oblivious to her differences.

Rosie’s Family: an Adoption Story. Lori Rosove & Heather Burrill, $9.50

Rosie's Family is a story about belonging in a family, regardless of differences.

Star of the Week. Darlene Friedman & Roger Roth, $23.99

A story of love, adoption and brownies with sprinkles.

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born. Jamie Lee Curtis, $9.95 (ages 4-7); Boardbook, $8.99 (ages 1-4)

Tell me again about the night I was born... Tell me again how you would adopt me and be my parents... Tell me again about the first time you held me in your arms...

In asking her mother and father to tell her again about the night of her birth, a young girl shows that it is a cherished tale she knows by heart. Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell come together once again to create a unique celebration of the love and joy a baby brings into the world. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is a heartwarming story, not only of how one child is born but of how a family is born.

Ten Days and Nine Nights: an Adoption Story. Yumi Heo, $20.99

A little girl counts the days until her mother and new baby sister come home from South Korea.

Therapeutic Parenting Books

Meet Rosie Rudey, Callum Kindly, William Wobbly, Katie Careful, Charley Chatty and Sophie Spikey who are each having a very bad day.

William struggles to control his feelings and when he arrived at school this morning he hid under his desk. Rosie has an empty feeling in her stomach which she tries to fix by eating too much sugary food. Callum Kindly has Katie Careful to stay but cannot help but think she is a bit weird, and Charley Chatty is talking so very much that she is letting her imagination run wild.  Luckily, their mum is here to help them save the day.  Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who also liked to tell tales), this set of therapeutic parenting books for children functioning at ages 3 to 10 deals with common emotional and behavioural difficulties of adopted and fostered children. 

Callum Kindly and the Very Weird Child: a Story about Sharing Your Home with a New Child. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $18.95

Callum Kindly is a kind and caring boy, who lives alone with his mum. That is until Katie Careful comes to stay with them who Callum thinks is a very weird child. Katie manages to get in the way whenever Callum wants to speak to his mum or have snuggle time. She cries and sulks on his birthday and she steals his toy car. Callum learns to understand, when his mum explains to him why Katie acts differently.

Charley Chatty and the Disappearing Pennies: a Story about Lying and Stealing. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $18.95

Charley Chatty likes shiny things, especially shiny pennies. Sometimes Charley thinks her siblings get more than her so she likes to keep the pennies safe in her pocket. Charley spots some pennies lying around the house, and puts them in her piggy bank. But she gets very nervous when her Dad starts looking for the missing pennies. Luckily, Charley's Dad is good at working out what might have happened and helps Charley to put it all right again.

Charley Chatty and the Wiggly Worry Worm: a Story about Insecurity and Attention-Seeking. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $17.95

Charley Chatty wiggly worry worm is making her feel very anxious, that is until she starts to tell a very big tale. This is the perfect story for any child who talks for attention. Sometimes, Charley's imagination takes over and she tells stories about things that didn't really happen. She doesn't mean to but she likes how it makes her feel important and the wiggly worry worm inside her belly goes away.

Katie Careful and the Very Sad Smile: a Story about Anxious and Clingy Behaviour. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $18.95

Katie Careful has just moved in with her siblings and their new parents. Even if she's sad or scared, she smiles and smiles to try and hide her wobbly feelings. She clings on to her Mum's leg and won't let go and she even follows her to the toilet, banging on the door to remind her that she's there. Luckily, her Mum understands why Katie acts this way.

Rosey Rudey and the Annoying Parent: a Story about a Prickly Child Who Is Scared of Getting Close. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $17.95

Today Rosie Rudey has had enough of her annoying family. She'll be just fine on her own. Will Rosie like it as much as she thinks without her family? Will she be lured back by the smell of dinner cooking and the sounds of her brother and sisters playing? Rosie did not have an easy childhood which has made her build a hard shell around herself so no one can get in. Luckily her new mum knows just how to help soften Rosie's hard exterior. This is a story for any child who is scared of getting close.

Rosey Rudey and the Enormous Chocolate Mountain: a Story about Hunger, Overeating, and using Food for Comfort. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $18.95

Whenever Rosie Rudey gets an empty feeling in her tummy, she'll try to fix it by eating sugary food, especially chocolate. One day Rosie eats far more than she means to, and throws up all over the garden! This is the perfect story to explain to children aged 3-10 the problems of overeating and using food for comfort.

Sophie Spikey Has a Very Big Problem: a Story about Refusing Help and Needing to Be in Control. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $17.95

Sophie Spikey needs help but no way is she asking for it. She's become used to doing things by herself. Sophie did not have an easy start in life and now she cannot trust grown-ups to help her. Luckily, her new mum is good at guessing when Sophie needs a helping hand. This is the perfect story for any child who refuses help and likes to be in control.

William Wobbly and the Mysterious Holey Jumper: a Story about Fear and Coping. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $17.95

Sometimes William Wobbly gets very anxious. When he is anxious he'll often turn to chewing his jumper or hiding under his school desk. But luckily his mum knows how to help cope with those wobbly feelings. This is the perfect story for any child who uses problematic coping mechanisms to deal with fear or anxiety.

William Wobbly and the Very Bad Day: a Story about When Feelings Become Too Big. Sarah Naish & Rosie Jeffries, $17.95

William Wobbly lashes out and he doesn't know why. He does things he doesn't mean to do and he always gets in trouble for it. This is the perfect story for any child who struggles to manage their emotions. Something happened to William Wobbly when he was very little which makes it hard for him to understand or control his feelings. His new mum is here to help with his wibbly wobbly feelings. This is a story for children functioning at age 3-10 who struggle with sensory overload.

We Belong Together: a Book About Adoption and Families. Todd Parr, $23.49 (toddler/preschool)

In a kid-friendly, accessible way, this book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family. It's about sharing your home and sharing your heart to make a family that belongs together.

We Sang You Home. Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett, $9.95 (boardbook)

In this sweet and lyrical board book from the creators of the bestselling Little You, gentle rhythmic text captures the wonder new parents feel as they welcome baby into the world. A celebration of the bond between parent and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones.

Welcome Home, Forever Child: a Celebration of Children Adopted as Toddlers, Preschoolers and Beyond. Written and Illustrated by Christine Mitchell, $18.95 (toddler/preschool)

Most children’s adoption books reflect infant adoptions, and may not be appropriate for the older child who spent their early years in foster care or an orphanage. Welcome Home, Forever Child is a much needed book that social workers and therapists will want to recommend to families who adopted their child past the age of two. The book helps parents reassure children of their permanent place in the new family, and of how much they are wanted and loved.  

Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You. Nancy Tillman, $8.99

Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It's the one thing they can carry with them each and every day.

Whose Lovely Child Can You Be? Shobha Viswanath & Christine Tappin, $11.95

Gulgul is not really sure where she comes from — then her entire family tells her the story of the magical day she entered their lives.

Why I Chose You: 100 Reasons Why Adopting You Made Us a Family. Gregory Lang, $17.95

WHY I CHOSE YOU captures the special moments that reflect the importance of family ties in this series of beautiful photographs of adoptive families.

Wolfie the Bunny. Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Zachariah OHora, $19.00

The Bunny family has adopted a wolf son, and daughter Dot is the only one who realizes Wolfie can — and might — eat them all up! Dot tries to get through to her parents, but they are too smitten to listen. A new brother takes getting used to, and when (in a twist of fate) it's Wolfie who's threatened, can Dot save the day?