March is National Reading Month. While some children don’t need an extra incentive to read, others can take advantage of this time to create a new habit. It is great to take time to read with your children and to encourage them to read on their own when they are able.
It is great to take time to read with your children and to encourage them to read on their own when they are able to.
Reading together can be a great way to start a conversation. This can be about potentially difficult topics or just to have a continued open door to talk about your child’s story and experience. When you read a book with your child you can ask questions about what the characters may be thinking or how they might be feeling. This can give you a window into what your child maybe thinking as well.
Reading together can be a great way to start a conversation.
This resource list has many great books related to adoption, transracial adoption, race, culture, and mental health. This is not an exhaustive list of all of the wonderful resources available on each of these topics, but it can be a starting point to learn more.
Books on Adoption
A Crazy-Much Love by Joy Jordan-Lake
And That’s Why She’s My Mama by Tiarra Naxario
Some Babies Are Adopted by Cindy Walker
The Story of My Open Adoption: A Storybook for Children Adopted at Birth by Leah Campbell
When I Was Summer by J. B. Howard
Books on Transracial Adoption
Coco & Olive: The Color of Love by Michelle Madrid-Branch 
I Don’t Have Your Eyes by Carrie Kitze
I’m Adopted! by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly 
Is That Your Sister? A True Story of Adoption by Catherine and Sherry Bunin
Young Adult Books with Transracial Adoption Themes
For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington
See No Color by Shannon Gibney
Books on Race and Culture
African American Culture
Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden illustrated by Don Tate
Happy to Be Nappy by Bell Hooks, Illustrated by Chris Raschka
Wings by Christopher Myers
Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. and Myles C. Pinkney
Black, White, Just Right by Marguerite W. Davol
Latin American Culture
Quinito’s Day and Night by Ina Cumpiano, illustrations Jose Ramirez
Arroró, Mi Niño by Lulu Delacre
Abuela by Arthur Dorros
Papa and Me by Arthur Dorros
Native American Culture
Children of Native America Today by Yvonne Wakim Dennis and Arlene Hirschfelder
The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie DePaola
Dreamcatcher by Audrey Osofsky
Beaver Steals Fire: A Salish Coyote Story by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Coyote Steals the Blanket: A Ute Tale by Janet Stevens
Chinese Culture
Meet Kai-Lan by Mickie Matheis and Toby Williams
Kai-Lan’s Great Trip to China by Mickie Matheis and Toby Williams
Filipino Culture
Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
Hmong Culture
Grandfather’s Story Cloth by Linda Gardner and Sarah Langford
Japanese Culture
My First Japanese Phrases by Jill Kalz
Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki
Korean Culture
Cooper’s Lesson by Sun Yung Shin
Thai Culture
Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho Illustrated by Holly Meade
Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek by Minfong Ho Illustrated by Holly Meade
Diversity, Bullying, and Racism
Children Just Like Me: A Unique Celebration of Children Around the World by Barnabas and Annabel Kindersley
Skin Again by Bell Hooks
Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester
All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka
Don’t Touch My Hair! by Sharee Miller
Christian Books on Race
God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia J. Newbell
God’s Big Plan by Elizabeth F. Caldwell and Theodore Hiebert
ColorFull: Celebrating the Colors God Gave Us by Dorena Williamson
Books on Mental Health
The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of 44 children’s books about mental health related topics. These are a great way to talk about what your child or those around your child may be experiencing to help bring a new understanding. They cover topics such as ADHD, anxiety, bullying, experiencing different emotions, grief and loss, and so much more! See their full list here: www.childmind.org
What are your favorite children’s books? Share them with us!
Please note that New Life Adoptions has not reviewed every publication on this resource list. It is also not a comprehensive list of all the available adoption-related resources. This list is intended as a tool for you and your family to use your own judgment and discretion in finding resources to encourage and educate you and your children on your adoption journey.