Picture books about adoption can be great for your adoption journey — for your adopted child, for your adopted child’s siblings or cousins, or even for yourself as you prepare for this amazing adventure. Here are some children’s books about adoption that might be just right!
Lily Coyote’s New Baby
By Xander Martin
With dreamy Southwestern illustrations, this book tells the story of Lily, a coyote who wanted a baby and found a fox pup whose parents were lost in a sandstorm. The story is told in simple words, almost poetry. Lily and her baby fox love each other, and that is the point of the story. It’s suitable for babies and toddlers, but it also has a “find the differences” picture puzzle suitable for older children.
by Allison Olson
This story introduces a married couple wishing for a baby, a birth mom, and an adoption agency. The story includes the birth mother’s choice of the adoptive family, the child’s birth, and ongoing contact between the adoptive parents and the birth mother. “You have brought two families together through their love for you,” the story ends. “It started long before you were born and will continue — all through your life.” This is a simple, sweet book with clear information accessible to a young child.
A Crocodile in the Family
by Kitty Black
This beautifully illustrated story is about a family of birds in Australia who end up with a crocodile egg in their nest. When curious friends ask about their unusual baby, they discover that the crocodile belongs with the bird family. This book doesn’t include words about adoption, but focuses on the special relationship with acceptance and love. Babies through elementary school will enjoy it.
