ADOPTION BOOKS
As an adopter it is recommended that we read so many different books! It can be very overwhelming. Then there are the friends & family to consider, if they are interested in reading about adoption, where do you start!
Below are a list of a few of the main books that we really did find immensely useful in the first couple of years of our placement! You will find some others that we’ve read with more context around why we found them useful in the What we’ve learnt section.
BOOKS FOR GROWN-UPS
In this section we’ve highlighted some books for adoptive parents and their families to read. In here are a number of books that we’ve personally found very helpful over the years, including ‘Related by Adoption’, which is a great book for grandparents of adoptive children to read as there can often be confusion around why your children my react differently to those of any siblings you have.
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A Guide to Attachment by John Timpson
Buy at TimpsonsYes, the same J Timpson who replaces your watch batteries and fixes your shoes is a Foster dad and has written this great little guide to attachment. -
Brain-Based Parenting by Dan Hughes & Jonathon Baylin
Buy on AmazonAn amazing book by Daniel A. Hughes & Johnathan Baylin that we've found a real boon and a bible for us, sharing a different way to parent adopted children. -
First Steps in Parenting the Child Who Hurts by Caroline Archer
Buy at AmazonAnother book that has made such a difference to us. In this one Caroline Archer covers how to care for adopted Tiddlers & Toddlers with trauma. -
Next Steps in Parenting the Child Who Hurts by Caroline Archer
Buy at AmazonWe borrowed this book from our amazing Social Worker before buying our own copy and found some really practical advise here. This one covers Tykes and Teens. -
Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
Buy on AmazonAdoptive children often exhibit an emotional age way below their physical age, knowing what is 'normal' for a child as he goes through his life stages is very useful. -
Raising Girls by Steve Biddulph
Buy at AmazonRaising Girls by Steve Biddulph is similar to Raising Boys. Whilst we've not read this one, we can imagine it'll give insights just as useful. -
Related by adoption by Hedi Argent
Buy at AmazonRecommend by BAAF (British Association for Adoption and Fostering), this is a great one for parents and siblings of adopters to read before being introduced to your adopted children. -
What Every Parent needs to Know
Buy at AmazonAlso recommended by our Social Worked, this book is a fascinating read for all parents, not just adopters and foster parents. Margot Sunderland provides some amazing insight.
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
Here is a range of books for children which we’ve either bought and used with our adopted kids or which have been used by, or recommend by our therapist. There’s a good mix here of books specifically for adopted children and other books that we’ve found useful around feelings and fears. We’ve given a brief description of each.
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A Safe Place for Rufus by Jill Seeney and Rachel Fuller
Buy at AmazonA nice children's book that explores the need for adopted and foster children to find a place in their new home they can feel safe and comfortable. -
All Kinds of Fears: a Lift-the-Flap Book by Emma Brownjohn
Buy on AmazonEmma Brownjohn does a solid job of helping you and your child / children understand fears and how to over come them in this lift-the-flap book. -
All Kinds of Feelings: a Lift-the-Flap Book by Emma Brownjohn
Buy on AmazonWe found this book extremely helpful when we were exploring anger and jealousy with our adopted children. It's a fun and engaging book for children. -
I Feel Angry (Your Emotions) by Brian Moses
Buy on AmazonAlong with 'All kinds of feelings' this book was super helpful when our eldest started to feel anger towards the birth parents for their neglect. -
It Wasn’t Me! – Learning About Honesty by Brian Moses
Buy on AmazonAll parents will go through this, but adopted children often carry an extra level of shame when they've done something wrong. This book can help them accept responsibility in a healthy way. -
Little Children’s Travel Activity Book by James Maclaine
Buy on AmazonOne from our blog, this is a nice little book full of activities which is a perfect companion on long journeys or just for general distraction whilst waiting for appointments or in restaurants. -
Sitting Still Like a Frog: Kids Mindfulness Exercises
Buy on AmazonA book and 60-minute audio CD teaching mindfulness exercises to help your children (Ages 5-12) deal with anxiety, improve concentration and handle difficult emotions. -
Spark Learns to Fly by Judith Foxon
Buy at AmazonA favourite of our children's therapist, an adoption specific children's book that looks at a troubled family but demonstrating that happy endings are possible. -
The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Tony Ross
Buy on AmazonAn absolute classic book that came in handy when our eldest went through a phase of lying to cover up the shame he felt about getting things wrong or being naughty. -
The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
Buy at AmazonAdopted children will often carry around many more worries than you realise. This can affect mood and behaviour. Read this book with them to help them let some of their worries go. -
The Little Boy/Girl Who Lost His/Her Name book
Buy at Lostmy.nameAn absolutely beautiful, personalised book for your adopted boy or girl. We bought these for our kids when we gave them middle names. Beautifully written and drawn gifts. -
Touch and Feel books – the Gruffalo
Buy at AmazonA much loved Julia Donaldson book in our house (we had all of her books in the end). This one is especially good for younger children and helps with sensory development.