This blog was written by Allison Olson. Being both an adoptee and an adoptive parent, Allison Olson has a unique perspective on the topic of adoption. She is an award-winning children’s adoption book author and her goal is to change the adoption narrative from the “lucky” child to the “loved” child. Allison lives in Oregon with her husband, two daughters, and their kitties named Bo and Aero.

I am always looking for good children’s books on adoption to help adoptive families build out the best possible home libraries.

As an adoptee and adoptive parent, these are my top picks for children’s adoption books. To me, it’s important that the authors of these books are part of the adoption triad.

I’ve classified the books by which part of the adoption triad the author falls into. Hope you enjoy this selection of books.

Written by Adoptees

  1. Surrounded by Love: An Open Adoption Story by Allison Olson (adoptee and adoptive parent) – This modern take on the “where did you come from” adoption book celebrates open adoption. Through words and illustrations, the characters express the immense amount of love that everyone involved in the process has for the adoptee.
  2. Adoption is Both by Elena Hall (adoptee and social worker) – May this provide yourself and your family with a guide to start conversations around the complexities of adoption.
  3. Maria Discovers Her Superpowers by Dr. Chaitra-Wirta-Leika (adoptee, adoptive parent, and adoption therapist) – Dr. Chaitra helps Marie practice many ways to respond to tough adoption questions from other kids, including sharing what feels comfortable, setting limits, and even saying nothing at all. Marie discovers that being in charge of her own adoption story is her superpower!
  4. Learning About My Friend’s Adoption by Allison Olson (adoptee and adoptive parent) – Finally, a children’s book that describes adoption to kids outside the adoption community with this heartwarming tale of friendship and understanding.
  5. Being Adopted by Amy Wilkerson (adoptee) – Being Adopted is a book for younger adoptees of any background. It simply outlines universal adoption experiences that are relatable to adoptees as they process and reflect on their unique circumstances and emotions.

Written by Birth Mothers

  1. Tell Me My Story: What Does Adopted Mean? by Raquel McCloud (birth mom, kinship care, and adoptive parent) – This book is meant to be relatable to a young audience as they process all the different questions and emotions that come with adoption. This series is loosely based on the author’s own experiences as an adoptee through kinship care, a birthmother and an adoptive mother. 
  2. Adoptees Who Changed the World by Lorri Antosz Benson (birth mom) – From the noble strength of Crazy Horse to the innovative genius of Steve Jobs, Adoptees Who Changed the World is a board book introduction to people who made a difference in the world–and who also happen to be adopted
  3. The ABCs of Adoption: Kid Conversations about Adoption by Raquel McCloud (birth mom, kindship care, and adoptive parent) – The ABCs of Adoption gives a kid friendly explanation of some adoption focused terms that are oftentimes hard to understand. Words like kinship, international, transracial and more are all laid out in an easy to digest format for young readers. 

Written by Adoptive Parents

  1. The Tale of Mallory Mouse: From Foster Care to Adoption by Laura Khoury (adoptive parent and former foster parent) – Mallory Mouse may be tiny, but she captures hearts in a big way during her journey through foster care.While it may seem that Mallory begins her journey alone, she is never truly alone, as God is by her side the entire time. Mallory experiences love from her birth mother, her foster mom, and her forever mommy, each in a unique way.
  2. The Story of You: A Child’s First Story of Their Open Adoption by Lindsay McKenzie (adoptive parent) – As a mother holds her baby, she tells the story of how they were brought together in the most perfect way. The author seamlessly weaves together the two separate perspectives of both women to share the child’s loving adoption story.
  3. What Makes Us a Family by Tali Sason (adoptive parent) –Written to help non-traditional families not only answer these common questions but encourage more of them, this story defines family beyond the bounds of a home and includes the birth families we know or wish we knew. 
  4. Love Without Wings: An Adoption Fairytale by Adam Swain Ferguson (adoptive parent) – Love Without Wings began as a very special bedtime story; one inspired by the author’s own family’s adoption journey of two years – years spent waiting, wishing, and even grieving. This is a sweet fairytale themed adoption book about love. 
  5. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis (adoptive parent) – In asking her parents to tell her again about the night of her birth, a young girl relives a cherished tale she knows by heart. Focusing on the significance of family and love, this is a unique and beautiful story about adoption and the importance of a loving family.
  6. I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb (adoptive parent) – I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a celebratory and poetic testament to the timeless love felt between parent and child.

Learn more about the author:

  • Website: www.ouradoptionbooks.com
  • Social Media: @kidsbooksbyallisonolson (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)

Learn more about the author:

Website: www.ouradoptionbooks.com

Social Media: @kidsbooksbyallisonolson (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)