Reading to your children is an excellent bonding activity. Reading is also one of the ways you can educate our children about adoption, families, and emotions. The following list provides suggestions as to fun and educational books you can read with your children. It ends with a few books older children can read to themselves, or with you.

Families are Different
by Nina Pellegrini, Holiday House, 1991
This books wraps together different-looking families, and different ways of creating families. The first time I read it to Hannah, she got a big smile on her face and said, "Read it again, mama!" Ages 5 and up.

A Koala for Katie: An Adoption Story
by Jonathan London, Concept Books, 1993 Katie is given a koala after visiting the zoo and wondering what would happen to the koala if it lost its mother. Understandable, nice illustrations. Ages 9 and up.

Why Was I Adopted?
by Carole Livingston, Carol Publishing Group, 1996 This is our favorite children's adoption book! It's probably a bit long and detailed for children under six, though. The question and answer format has humor woven through it. It references all types of adoptions and types of families. Ages 6 and up.

Aarvy Aardvark Finds Hope
by Donna O'Toole, Compassion Books, 1988
An excellent children's book about loss and grief. Your adopted child deals with loss whether or not they talk about it. Good for both children and adults.

The Big Book of Families
by Catherine and Lawrence Arholt, Candlewick Press, 1998 In addition to the topic of adoption, Hannah and I spend a lot of time reading and talking about families. This book is fun, creative, and rhyming. It shows many nuances of family types, emotions, and activities. Ages 5 and up.

Emma's Yucky Brother
by Jean Little, Jennifer Plecas, Harper Collins Juvenile Books, 2001 Shares all of Emma's emotions about getting a four year old adopted brother. A must buy if you're adding an adopted child to a biological child. Ages 4 - 8.

Riding Freedom
By Pam Munoz Ryan, Scholastic Inc., 1998
Set in the mid-1800's, this story is about Charlotte, a girl raised in a boys orphanage. This award-winning book sets the scene with Charlotte's rough start to life, and how she eventually becomes very successful. 4th grade reading level.

Who Am I? And Other Questions of Adopted Children
by Charlene C. Giannetti, Price Stern Sloan Pub., 1999 Insights and answers from teenagers and experts. Written to help adopted children ages 9 - 13 to feel more confident about their complicated lives.

How It Feels To Be Adopted
by Jill Krenentz, Knopf, 1988 Boys and girls from ages 8 - 16 share their thoughts about being adopted. The book shares various viewpoints.

Credits: Susan Ward