The Best Adoption Books for You

When it comes to learning more about the adoption process, explaining adoption to your children by birth, or explaining adoption to your adoptive children, sometimes books and stories do the best job getting at the heart of what needs to be said. We understand that adoption is known to be a trying process, filled with paperwork and disappointment. We started A Is 4 Adoption to be different from every adoption agency in California, making adoption a joyful, loving, and simple process once again. We have compiled a list of our favorite adoption stories, helpful books, and encouraging devotionals, so you and your entire family can be a part of the joy that adoption brings.

Books for Adoptive Parents

From how-to guides to inspiration, sometimes we parents just need a little help and encouragement. These are some of our favorite books for adoptive parents:

Parenting Advice

Every parent, child, and family is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all method for raising kids. However, there are unique challenges that parents of adoptive children face, and having advice from experts and parents who have already been down this road can help you make the best decisions the first time.

“Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child” – This book walks you through every stage of the adoption process and how to handle various bumps and emotional obstacles with tact and sensitivity.

“Making Sense of Adoption” – This book brings to light the many internal struggles adopted children face throughout the years, including dealing with rejection, wondering how and why they were chosen (or not chosen), and so many others. Filled with helpful tips, sample conversations, activities, and signs to watch for, this book is relevant for any parent who is preparing for adoption.

“Labor of the Heart: A Parent’s Guide to the Decisions and Emotions in Adoption” – This book offers a fresh, contemporary outlook on the emotions adoptive parents undergo, particularly for those who have struggled with infertility. Written by developmental psychologist and adoptive mother Kathleen L. Whitten, Ph. D., the advice in this book is practical, and founded on both research and real experience.

Inspiration

For those days when you need a little boost of motivation and inspiration:

“Encouragement for the Adoption and Parenting Journey” (Religious Devotional) – These 52 devotionals and journal prompts give you an opportunity each week of the year to break down what you are feeling, to digest your emotions, and to learn to trust.

“Truly Yours: Wise Words on the Miracle of Adoption” – This collection of stories and thoughts complies some of the most inspirational ideas of adoption from philosophers to children’s books alike. Short, easy-to-read chapters make this an excellent pick-me-up for any day of the week.

“Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Joy of Adoption” – As always, Chicken Soup is a brilliantly arranged inspirational book, full of stories that will touch your heart.

Memoirs

Memoirs are typically fun to read, relatable, and insightful. Our favorites include:

“Black Baby White Hands: A View From the Crib” – This memoir is written by Jaiya John, the first black baby to be adopted by white parents in New Mexico, and is a beautiful story of his journey.

“March Into My Heart: A Memoir of Mothers, Daughters, and Adoption” – This is the beautiful story of Patty Lazarus’ journey to find a daughter.

These books have given hope, comfort, and advice to so many, but it is simply a sample of the wonderful selection of books available to you. Contact our adoption center in California for more suggestions or to begin your adoption process today.