Classic Adoption Books for Preschoolers
Adoption Stories for Young Kids Written Before the Year 2000
Jul 20, 2009
Having simple storylines and a universal appeal, children’s adoption books written before 2000 are now favourites of many adult adoptees. Written when adoption books for preschoolers were scarce, these recommended classics gave adoptive parents a starting point for adoption talks with their kids.
Even though each book has a unique storyline or contains information about adoption in general, the underlying message of these adoption classics is that adoption is a normal and unique way of forming a family.
Classic Children’s Books Introducing Adoption
Despite some of the adoption language used in these picture books being outdated, the basic focus of adoption being a loving choice is the theme of these stories. These adoption classics for preschoolers also feature eye-catching illustrations and straightforward language that make adoption conversations easy to begin.
- A Koala for Katie by Jonathan London [Albert Whitman & Co., 1997]
- All Kinds of Families by Norma Simon [Albert Whitman & Company, 1976]
- Amy Angel Goes Home by Kathleen Lathrop [Diotima, 1997]
- Let’s Talk About It: Adoption by Fred Rogers [Putnam Juvenile, 1995]
- My Special Family: A Children’s Book About Open Adoption by Debra Marks Parelskin & Kathleen Silber [Taylor Publishing, 1995]
- Never, Never, Never Will She Stop Loving You by Jolene Durrant [Jobiz!, 1999]
- Oliver by Lois Wickstrom [Our Child Press, 1991]
- Pugnose Has Two Special Families by Karis Kruzel [R-Squared Press, 1997]
- Tell Me a Real Adoption Story by Betty Jean Lifton [Knopf, 1993]
- The Day We Met You by Phoebe Koehler [Aladdin, 1997]
Although there are several more recently published books for preschoolers introducing adoption, many of these adoption classics are recommended by adult adoptees who grew up with these stories. These adoption books are also great gifts for children and their adoptive families.
Classic Children’s Books about Diversity in Adoption
When adoptive families think about diversity in their family, they usually focus on race and cultural differences among family members. In children’s adoption books written before 2000, differences in physical appearance were used as a theme to show that the love of an adoptive family is more important than looking or behaving like each other.
- A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza [Putnam Juvenile, 1996]
- Horace by Holly Keller [HarperCollins, 1991]
- Little Miss Spider by David Kirk [Scholastic Press, 1999]
- Stellaluna by Janell Cannon [Sandpiper, 1997]
- Zachary’s New Home by Geraldine M. Blomquist and Paul B. Blomquist [Magination Press, 1991]
Even though adopting transracially or transculturally is not the main storyline of these children’s books, these classic adoption stories are also relevant for preschoolers who have been adopted internationally.
These adoption books for preschoolers are considered classics by adoptive parents and adult adoptees because of the simple narratives describing the loving way adoptive families are formed. Written over ten years ago, these stories are still able to introduce adoption concepts and highlight family diversity to a new generation of children.
Related articles
Adoption Books for Preschoolers and Toddlers
General Adoption Books for School Age Kids
References
Amazon.com website
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