[Leigh131313]

We're looking for some input from you wonderful and experienced adoption experts!!

Adoption.com would like to start a list of recommended adoption books. We would like it to cover all parts of the adoption experience - aparents, bparents, adoptee's and extended families touched by adoption...

So, if you could take some time and give us your suggestions, we'd really appreciate it!!

Thanks!!

[bajj]

Come on you guys, I know you have to have some favorite adoption books. This can be for hopeful aparents, first families, extended families, adults who were adopted or childrens books!

[Synesthesia]

This isn't exactly an adoption book, but it's important in terms of dealing with Traumatized children.
It's called-
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
Our Own by Trish Mashew was fantastic. I'm not ready for Older child adoption, but it was a useful resourse.
Adopting the Hurt Child was also very good.
Limits of Hope is not good to read if you don't want to be depressed. It shows another not so happy side of adoption that is useful to look at.
Are You Ready for Adoption was good too.
20 Things Adopted Children Wish Their Adoptive Parents knew is good, but it could be quite depressing and a bit discouraging, but it's useful to look at that side of adoption.

Then you have all of these fiction books I've read that have something minute to do with adoption like-
Maniac Magee- Not exactly an adoption story completely, but it's sort of a reverse transracial adoption fable or tall tale. I love this book. Good for discussing race and the like.
Wise Child might not be liked by all, but it involves a single woman caring for a child in a fantasy Scottish setting
More later when I can think of more books.

[atouchofheaven]

"the connected child" is also a good one.

[blueamy76]

So You Want to Adopt... Now What?: A Practical Guide for Navigating the Adoption Process by Ruth Graham and Sara R. Dormon
Adopting in America How to Adopt within One Year by Randall Hicks
Successful Adoption a Guide for Christian Families by Natalie Gillespie
These 3 have been essential to me learning about adoption.

[MaggieMay06]

THE OPEN ADOPTION EXPERIENCE by Lois Melina and Sharon Roszia

LIFEGIVERS by James Gritter

DEAR BIRTHMOTHER by Kathleen Silber & Phylis Speedlin

ADOPTION IS A FAMILY AFFAIR by Patricia Irwin Johnston
This one was especially helpful when I had issues with comments that my mother-in-law was making during my a-son's first 6 months

SECRET THOUGHTS OF THE ADOPTIVE MOTHER by Janna Wolff

[mrsred]

I just picked up "All Together Now" by Anita Jeram, and it is a very good book for children.
It's about Mommy Rabbit, and her three kids, Bunny, Little Duckling and Miss Mouse. It is very cute, and gives the message that Mommy Rabbit is mommy to Duckling and Mouse just the same as she is to Bunny, even if they don't look just like her. It also highlights the special talent of each.
I bought the book for our new four year old... then I read it to each of the older kids too. They all loved the book, and could identify with one of the characters.
One of the things I really liked was that although duckilng came to them right out of the shell, Miss Mouse was not a newborn.

[Synesthesia]

Pictures of Hollis Woods.
It's about a girl who moved from one home to the next, then she finally found a family and... well, read and find out. There's a movie, but the book is better.

[adopting_again]

Hi,
Tell Me Again About the Day I was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis for kids and My Family is Forever put out by Scholastic (not sure of author if you need that info, let me know, i can find the book around here somewhere). Both are international adoption.

For transracial, Inside Transracial Adoption by Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall very good information dealing with both international but largely AA kids with white families.



Melanie