Children's Books with an Adoption or Foster Care Theme

This children's book features African American characters and highlights the beautiful relationship between a mother and young daughter.

"In My Heart" by Molly Bang is a beautiful book that expresses a parent's love and how it continues even when people are physically apart. "In My Heart" may help a child understand how attachment continues over time and space.

"What is Adoption? Helping non-adopted children understand adoption" is a wonderful and beautiful book for children with friends or classmates that are adopted. It is also a strong resource to use within the adoptive home.

"The Star" is a wonderful book for a foster parent's book shelf. Read "The Star" with your foster children at various times to stimulate conversation about the child's feelings.

A great book to empower foster children on how to best answer tough questions about being in foster care.

Antonia has wished for a little sister for a long time. When her wish finally comes true will Ananda live up to Antonia's expectations? Based on a true story, "My Mei Mei" takes a look a different adoptive relationship, siblings.

A review of "Megan's Birthday Tree" by Laurie Lears. Megan is worried that her birth mom will forget about her when she gets married and moves into a new home.

Santa's Stray is the touching story of a stray cat who loves children and looks over them. Santa takes in the cat as his own to help him know the children better as the cat seems to be able to look into a child's heart and tell if they are happy, safe, or lonely.

A beautiful story of life changes and how we are all needed. A story that can be applied to many different life situations. Perfect for foster children coping with his/her life changes.

A great book for kids and parents to read together. W.I.S.E. Up the Owl will lead your child through simple lessons and teach him/her how to handle the rude, annoying, and thoughtless questions that other kids sometimes ask. Empower your children with W.I.S.E. Up.

"The Coffee Can Kid" is a great book for children adopted from internationally, especially Korea.

"Finding the Right Spot" is an excellent book for foster children. It is also great for foster parents as they will be able to recognize the feelings and behaviors of the child as she has visits with her mom, phone calls that don't go well, and broken promises.

A gentle picture book about the subject of adoption brought to us by Mr. Rogers. The book advocates open communication and the sharing of feelings in that gentle "Mr. Rogers" way.

"Stellaluna" is a beautiful story of a fostering/adoptive situation where we can see how others can be alike and still respect cultural differences as well. A great story for mixed race families.

A Russian adoption story that embraces life in Russia as well as in the adoptive home. Beautifully illustrated with a short glossary of Russian words at the end.

7-year-old Stephanie shares her adoption in a simple short story. This is one of the most honest adoption stories I've read. In her innocent way she focuses not only on the joy of her adoptive parents and the love they have for her, but of the grief and loss of her birth mother.

Short book written by a child who experienced foster care for three years before being adopted. She still remains in contact with her birth siblings through visits.

A sweet story written by a child who was adopted from the foster care system. Here he shares the fears he had about leaving his foster home to move in with a new adoptive family.

Nikolai is the only bear in a Russian orphanage and is misunderstood, until a couple from far away come visit him. They understand his bearish ways and bring him home.

A book review. This book is about feelings and experiences that children in foster care endure; a great tool for foster parents or other adults to read with foster children.

"Because of Winn-Dixie" is a wonderful story about a little girl who is growing up without a mother. The child meets a stray dog who happens to have a heart touching smile and a knack for meeting people.

An adoptive mother's loving answer to a common question. Book recommended for children 0-6.

A Ladybug named Dot follows a little Chinese baby to an orphanage and ultimately to her new American adoptive family.

Adrienne Ehlert Bashista's newest book includes a sweet teddy bear named Mo.