International and Transracial Adoption Books
Stories for Preschoolers Adopted from Russia and South America
Aug 14, 2009
According to the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics, over 17,000 children were adopted into the U.S. in 2008, mostly from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. It is also becoming more common for Canadian and American adoptive families to adopt children of a different race through the domestic adoption process as well.
As internationally and transracially adopted children throughout North America begin to understand that they differ in appearance from their parents, children’s books are often used as a resource to help process the feelings associated with being ‘different’. These books about children adopted from Russia and South America, as well as kids who where adopted transracially, are a good starting point for adoption talks.
Children’s Books About Russian Adoption
With over 18,800 children adopted from Russia by Canadians and Americans between 2004 and 2008, there is a significant need for Russian adoption books for preschoolers. The few Russian adoption stories available provide information to preschoolers about life in an orphanage and traveling to a new family.
- Mishka: An Adoption Tale by Adrienne Ehlert Bashista [DRT, 2007]
- Nikolai, the Only Bear by Barbara Joose [Philomel, 2005]
Fortunately, there are several books for children adopted from Russia written for older kids that are also appropriate to read to preschool children.
South and Central America Adoption Books for Preschoolers
Between 2004 and 2008, over 20,500 children were adopted from South and Central American countries such as Guatemala and Haiti by Americans and Canadians. Again, more adoption themed books written for children adopted from South and Central America would be warranted given the number of children adopted from these countries.
- Over the Moon by Karen Katz [Henry Holt & Co., 2001]
- Pablo’s Tree by Pat Mora [Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 1994]
- We Wanted You by Liz Rosenberg [Roaring Brook Press, 2002]
As most general adoption books do not specify an adopted character’s race in the narrative or illustrations, there are many international adoption books that have been written that would also be appropriate for children adopted from South and Central America.
Preschool Books About Transracial Adoption
The illustrations of adoption books are very important in the telling of any story, but especially for children adopted transracially as they look for characters with whom they can identify.
- Brown Like Me by Noelle Lamperti [Dingman/McKay, 2000]
- Flora’s Family by Annette Aubrey [QED Publishing, 2008]
- I Don’t Have Your Eyes by Carrie Kitze [EMK Press, 2003]
- The Coffee Can Kid by Jan Czech [Child & Family Press, 2002]
- Welcome Home, Little Baby by Lisa Harper [AuthorHouse, 2008]
In choosing preschool adoption books that represent characters of all races, including the ethnicity of their child, adoptive parents send a positive message to their children about embracing diversity.
When used as a resource to begin discussions about adoption, books for children adopted internationally can give insight into the complexity of being a multicultural family, while at the same time, celebrating adoption. For a list of more preschool books on international adoption, read Children’s Books About Asian Adoption.
References
Office of Immigration Statistics
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