Stories of Adoption

Humans learn through stories. From the time of our ancient ancestors to the present age, human beings comprehend complex and abstract concepts through narratives. Foster care and adoption is no different than these other topics. There is much to learn through the hearing and telling of stories. We at ACPA have compiled a list of media and narratives that shed a light on the experience of foster care and adoption. Children at any age can begin to hear stories that can help them understand more about the experience of fostering and adopting, and you’re never too old to learn either! Here’s a list of media for individuals to learn at any age!

 

For Young Children:

  • Happy Adoption Day by John McCutcheon
  • Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
  • We Belong Together by Todd Parr
  • God Found Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergen
  • That’s Why She’s My Mama by Tiara Nazario
  • The Adoption Tree by Kimberly James
  • A Mother For Choco by Kieko Kazsa
  • Forever Family by Kelley and Lindsey Bullard

 

For Older Children:

  •  I’m Yours by Ashley Cameron
  • All About Adoption by Marc Nemiroff, Ph.D. and Jane Annunziata, Psy.D.
  • Adoption Is a Lifelong Journey by Kelly DiBenedetto, Katie Gorczyca, and Jennifer Eckert
  • Emma’s Yucky Brother by Jean Little
  • Little Miss Spider by David Kirk
  • Oliver by Lois Wiskstrom

 

For Preteens:

  • Matilda by Roald Dahl
  • Breadcrumbs by Ann Ursa
  • Half a World Away by Cynthia Kadohata
  • Ninjas, Piranhas, and Galileo by Greg Leitich Smith
  • Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango 

 

For Teenagers:

  • All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg
  • Breathe My Name by R. A. Nelson
  • Kimchi and Calamari by Rose Kent
  • Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
  • Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
  • A List of Cages by Robin Roe
  • Find a Stranger Say Goodbye by Lois Lowry 

 

For Adults:

  • Adopting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck
  • Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
  • The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
  • The Primal Wound by Nancy Newton Verrier
  • The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis
  • Nurturing Attachments by Kim S Golding
  • Parenting the Adopted Child by Holly Van Gulden

 

Films:

  • Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot (2024), PG-13
  • Puss In Boots and the Last Wish (2022), PG
  • Shazam! (2019), PG-13
  • Instant Family (2018), PG-13
  • The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012), PG
  • Meet the Robinsons (2007), G
  • Juno (2007), PG-13
  • Like Mike (2002), PG

 

Each of these texts can serve as a launching pad for a conversation surrounding foster care and adoption. See what you and those in your life can learn today!