Further reading for adoptive parents

Many people considering adoption have found books about the subject tremendously helpful. The following is a selection of the wide range of reading material that is available.

Most of these books are available from major bookshops or websites such as Amazon. Many public libraries can order books they don't have in stock free of charge for you.

Books for adoptive parents

• Archer, Caroline, ‘First Steps in Parenting the Child who Hurts: Tiddlers & Toddlers’, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999, ISBN: 1853028010 - Explores the attachment and developmental issues faced by young adopted children.
• Archer, Caroline, ‘Next Steps in Parenting: Tykes and Teens’ Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999, ISBN: 1853028029 - Explores the emotional and behavioural problems experienced by adopted children and teenagers.
• Austin, Judy (ed.), ‘Adoption: The Inside Story’, Parent to Parent Information on Adoption Services, 1990, ISBN: 0951595008 - Stories from adoptive parents.
• Chennells, Prue et al., ‘Adopting a Child - A Guide for People Interested in Adoption’, BAAF, 2002, ISBN: 1903699061 - Handbook for people considering adoption.
• Chennells, Prue, ‘Explaining Adoption to your Adopted Child’, BAAF, 1987, ISBN: 0903534711 - Advice for adoptive parents.
• Delaney, Richard, ‘Troubled Transplants: Unconventional strategies for helping disturbed foster and adoptive children’, Wood N Barnes, 1993, ISBN: 093956114X - Explores the impact of trauma on adopted children, and provides advice on ways of dealing with it.
• Fahlberg, V., ‘A Child's Journey Through Placement’, BAAF, 1994, ISBN: 1873868138 - Factual advice to help adopters understand the child's thoughts and feelings.
• Fowler, Deborah, ‘A Guide to Adoption: The Other Road to Parenthood’, Optima, 1993, ISBN: 035621012X - Information on every aspect of adoption.
• Gulden, Van et al., ‘Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child’, The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1995, ISBN: 0824515145 - In-depth advice and strategies for adoptive parents.
• Heim, Alice, ‘Thicker Than Water?: Adoption - Its Loyalties, Pitfalls and Joys’, Secker and Warbury, 1983, ISBN: 0436191563 - Explores the pain and joys of adoption, with many case histories.
• Howe, David, ‘Adopters on Adoption: Reflections on Parenthood and Children’, BAAF, 1996, ISBN: 1873868324  - Information and advice from adopters on a range of issues.
• Hughes, Dan, ‘Building the Bonds Of Attachment: Awakening love in deeply troubled children’, Rowman and Littleford, 1999, ISBN: 0765702371 - Provides insight into adopting a child with attachment problems, including real-life examples.
• Jewett, Claudia, ‘Adopting the Older Child’, Harvard Press, 1979, ISBN: 0916782093 - Advice from a counsellor on the problems caused by adopting an older child, and advice on working through them.
• Jewett, Claudia, ‘Helping Children Cope with Separation & Loss’, Harvard Common Press, 1994, ISBN: 1558320512 - Advice for adoptive parents on helping children work through difficult times.
• Keck, Greg and Kupecky, Regina, ‘Adopting the Hurt Child’, NavPress, 1998, ISBN: 1576830942 - Information and advice on dealing with adopted children who have experienced trauma.
• Krementz, Jill, ‘How it Feels to be Adopted’, Alfred A Knopf, 1998, ISBN: 0394758536 - Children and adoptive families' feelings and experiences concerning adoption.
• Morris, Ann, ‘The Adoption Experience - Families who give children a second chance’, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999, ISBN: 1853027839 - Adopters' real-life stories.
• Morris, Anne, ‘The Adoption Experience: Families who give children a second chance’, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 1999, ISBN: 1853027839 - Real-life stories from adopters covering every stage of the adoption process.
• Morrison, Marjorie, ‘Talking about Adoption: A guide for parents by adoption’, BAAF, 2004, ISBN: 1903699525 - Practical guidance on talking to children about adoption.
• Pfeffer, Naomi and Woollett, Ann, ‘The Experience of Infertility’, Virago, 1983, ISBN: 0860683311 - Information and advice on coping with infertility, from two women who have experienced fertility problems.
• Rowe, Jan, ‘Yours by Choice: Guide for Adoptive Parents’, Routledge, 1982, ISBN: 0710090358  - A guide to the adoption process.
• Ruskai Melina, Lois, ‘Raising adopted children: Practical reassuring advice for every adoptive parent’, Harper Collins World, 2001, ISBN: 0060957174 - Explores the issues faced by adopted families.
• Salter, Amy, ‘The Adopters Handbook: Information, resources, services - A guide for adoptive parents’, BAAF, 2002, ISBN: 1903699088 - Handy reference guide for anyone involved in adoption.
• Thomas, Caroline et al., ‘Adopted Children Speaking’, BAAF, 1999, ISBN: 1873868782 - Young people's views and experiences on the whole adoption process.
• Van Gulden, Holly and Bartels-Rabb, Lisa, ‘Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child’, Crossroad, 1995, ISBN: 0824515145 - Advice, strategies and assurance for adoptive parents.
• Wadia-Ells, Susan (ed.), ‘The Adoption Reader: Birth mothers, adoptive mothers and adopted daughters tell their stories’, The Women's Press, 1996, ISBN: 0704344955 - Real-life stories from people touched by adoption.

Books to read with adopted children

• Aston, Elaine and Bray, Jim, ‘Getting to Know You: A picture book for new parents of older children-toddlers to twelves', BAAF, 1981, ISBN: 0903534363 - A cartoon book showing the feelings of adopted children and adoptive parents while they are getting to know each other.
• Gray, Kes et al., ‘Our Twitchy’, Henry Holt & Co., 2003, ISBN: 0805074546 - Uses animals to explain what adoption means and open up discussion between adopted parents and children.
• Kasza, Keiko, ‘A Mother for Choco’, Putnam, 2003, ISBN: 0399241914 – A story about a little bird who is looking for a new Mum and is adopted by a bear. Especially useful in explaining inter-racial adoption.
• Miller, Kathryn Ann and Moffett, Jami, ‘Did my First Mother Love Me?: Story for an adopted child’, Morning Glory, 1994, ISBN: 0930934849 – Written by an actual birth mother, and helps children understand why they were given up for adoption.
• And don't forget our own Katie Kitten books!

What happens next?

[Back to top]