Suggested book list for previously looked after children
Here are some books we suggest for helping young children to understand different family patterns and adoption.
Books with a * are good for preparing children who will be moving onto adoption.
Children under 8 years
The Teazles Baby Bunny*
By Susan Bagnall
The book tells the story of The Teazle Rabbits and their adoption of a baby bunny.
The simple tale provides a gentle introduction to broaching the subject of adoption with clear and colourful pictures.
I Wished For You
By Marianne Richmond
A little bear named bear asks his adoptive mum questions about adoption – some American style to the narrative.
The Nutmeg Series*
By Judith Foxon
Nutmeg gets adopted, Nutmeg Gets Cross, Nutmeg gets a letter, Nutmeg gets a letter.
The feelings Book, It’s okay to be Different, The Family Book, We Belong Together*
By Todd Parr
Todd Parr creates colourful books exploring feelings and family identity with young children.
Moses The Kitten*
James Herriot
A kitten in a new family, adapting to new family life.
Dragon Love Penguin*
By Debi Gliori
The story of a dragon finding an egg and being a parent to a penguin and how this parent can love the penguin regardless of looking different.
A safe place for Rufus *
By Jill Sonney
A story of a dog and how he moved from his family to a safe family.
And Tango Makes Three*
Justine Richardson
Roy and Silo are both boy penguins and Mr Gramzay the zookeeper helps them to become parents.
Mommy, Mama and Me*
By Leslea Newman
A toddler in family life with two mums.
Picnic in The Park
By Joe Griffiths and Tony Pilgrim
Promotes discussion about different types of families from Jason’s birthday picnic.
Oh Brother, Tom Gets A New Adopted Brother
By Claire Friday
Tells the story of Tom, whose parents decide to adopt another child.
Chester and Daisy Move On*
Angela Lidster
This popular and engaging picture book is for use when children move onto adoption.
A Mother For Choco*
By Keiko Kasza
Choco wishes she had a mother…so he sets off to find her. The theme is adoption, popular with moving onto adoption work.
Dennis Duckling*
By Paul Sambrooks
Dennis is sad because he and his sister must leave their mum and dad. Find out what happens next. A popular book for children moving onto adoption.
You’re the Biggest
By Lucy Tapper and Steve Wilson
Celebrates the role an older sibling has and the celebrated moments of having a new sibling.
My New Family*
By Pat Thomas
A a question-and-answer book explaining adoption and some associated dilemmas that can happen.
Elfa and the box of memories*
By Michelle Bell
A book to talk about memories and lead into memory boxes.
Josh and Jaz Have Three Mums
By Heidi Argent
Story of Josh and Jaz, five year old twins who have been adopted by two mums. The story explains the diversity and difference that is in different families.
Horace
By Holly Keller
A tiger cub who is trying to find his identity. He has spots, and they have stripes and how he is trying to find his identity.
Over The Moon: An Adoption Tale
By Karen Katz
A story of how the family is anticipating the arrival of an adopted child internationally. Written by an adoptive parent. A good choice for an adopted child who was born overseas, or lives in a multi-cultural home.
The Lamb A Roo*
By Diana Kimpton
A lost and lonely lamb is found by a Kangaroo and she is placed in her pocket. The story of what happens when she is different from her mum.
Help A Hamster
By Hilary Robinson and Mandy Stanley
Encourages children to think about adoption, blended families and attachment through the parallel stories of the little boy Alfie, whose mother gave him up for adoption, and the baby hamster, Alfonzo, who is rejected by his mother and littermates.
Rosie Rudley
By Sarah Naish and Rosie Jefferies
Children who have had a difficult start in life, who are finding it hard to adapt to life within a new family, may benefit from this book.
Children in other situations who are struggling with emotional and behavioural issues may identify with Rosie in the book, and, with the guidance of a parent or other trusted adult, may be able to take the first steps to improving their situation.
The Most Precious Present in the World
By Becky Edwards
Adoption - loss, separation and belonging. May also support children who are asking questions and have mixed feelings about their adoption.
The Great Big Book of Families*
By Mary Hoffman
Highlighting the fact that families come in all shapes and sizes, this book celebrates diversity, explaining how every personal situation is different. It's a good book for debunking the traditional storybook myth that happy families usually consist of mother, father and two children.
Minnie and Max are Ok!
By Chris Calland and Nicky Hutchinson
A book that helps develop the message that everyone is different, and we all have our specific strengths.
There is a very useful section at the back of the book entitled “Suggested questions to help children explore the topic further”. This is a great resource, and covers teasing, appearance, family resemblances, diversity, our amazing bodies and celebrating the things we are good at. There is also a reference made to adopted children, and those in care, and how researching a family resemblance may help such children to develop a sense of identity.
The Invisible String*
By Patrice Karst
A story that explains even though we are apart from our family and friends we can be connected by imaginary string. The book has a contact theme.
Owl Babies, Little Bear series Park In The Dark
By Martin Waddell
Martin Waddell creates a variety of books with a family theme which can be used for discussion on how different families are structured.
My Parents Picked Me!*
By Pat Thomas
Provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the subject of adoption for young children.
The Worrysaurus*
By Rachel Bright
Helpful messages in this picture book for helping with anxiety. Helps to introduce useful ways to cope with emotions and the concept of mindfulness.
The Huge Bag of Worries
By Virgina Ironside
To introduce useful ways to cope with emotions and to talk about worries.
A Mummy for Owen
By Marion Dane Bauer
Children who have lost a parent or experienced a change in circumstances, such as fostering or adoption, will relate to orphaned Owen and find comfort in his loving relationship with his adoptive mother, Mzee, a 130-year-old male tortoise.
Dad David, Baba Chris and Me
By Ed Merchant
Provides guidance and support to children who are being parented by gay men. Encourages an appreciation of, and acceptance of, same-sex parents, and shows that families come in all shapes and sizes.
Promotes a positive view of gay relationships.
Croc and Bird
By Alexis Deacon
Children living in families to which they are not biologically related will enjoy a story that shows the ties of love to be stronger than the ties of biology.
What’s Worrying You?*
By Molly Potter
A picture book to help children explore worries.
Older children
Life Doesn’t frighten Me
By Maya Angelou
A poem about overcoming obstacles.
The Scared Gang
By Ea̒̒ daoin Bhreathnach
Written by an occupational therapist. This series of books helps children to recognise their own survival patterns through the Scared Gang characters. Introduces children to self-regulation techniques.
The Bean Seed
By Judith Bush and Robert Spottswood
Opens up conversations about adoption and children who feel worthless and are struggling to accept the empathetic grownup can be trusted and depended on.
Something Else
By Kathryn Cave
Explores feelings about not belonging.
The Making of U
K.Fairburn
Children's book commissioned by After Adoption, written by Paul Summers and a group of young, adopted people, 'The Making of U' tells the story of a little alien on a quest to discover his identity. It tells a story of self-discovery and adventure, providing a perfect narrative for kids just trying to work out who they are.
The Red Tree
By Shaun.Tan
Book about feelings and exploring them but also the message that hope is always there.
The Lost Thing
By Shaun Tan
Book with lots of meanings but from it the theme of friendship, belonging and being aware can be explored.
Supposing
By F. Thomas
Good book to discuss nightmares and fears.