Resources for Children + Families
Adoption
Adoption Is Both by Elena Hall
Written by an adoptee, this simple picture book gives children language for the complex emotions of adoption—including feeling sad, mad, and glad at the same time.
A Most Unusual Day by Sydra Mallery
Caroline experiences big feelings as she waits for her parents to bring home her new sister. The story helps families discuss anxiety, its physical effects, and the experience of becoming an older sibling through adoption.
The Bridge That Love Built by Amara Bratcher
This faith-based picture book helps families approach the unknown parts of a child’s adoption story through the truths of Scripture. It is appropriate for children adopted domestically or internationally.
Bunny Roo, I Love You by Melissa Marr
This story about a mother learning what her child needs can prompt parents to share how they first connected with their own child. Families may also want to discuss how the mother and baby pictured differ from their family.
Emma’s Yucky Brother by Jean Little
Emma learns that welcoming a 4-year-old brother from foster care is different from adopting a baby. This early reader helps siblings prepare for the adjustments involved in becoming a family.
Foster Care: One Dog’s Story of Change by Julia Cook
Through the story of a dog entering foster care, this book introduces the people, changes, and big feelings involved. It can support children in foster care while helping others better understand the experience.
I Don’t Have Your Eyes by Carrie Kitze
Although some elements feel dated, this book can open conversations about looking different from one another. It explores the qualities children may share with both their birth and adoptive families.
I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb
Simple language and sweet illustrations help parents express how deeply their child is loved. The lyrical story can also prompt conversations about the season of waiting before becoming a family.
My Adoptee Voice by Elena S. Hall
Written by an adoptee, this picture book helps children consider when and how to share their adoption stories. It reinforces that adoption is one part of their identity, but not their whole identity.
My New Mom and Me by Renata Galindo
This book normalizes the worry, sadness, anger, and adjustment that can accompany adoption. It is especially helpful for older-child adoptions, single-mother families, and families strengthening mother-child attachment.
Sisters by Judith Caseley
This story follows two sisters as they adjust after an older child joins the family through international adoption. Their fears, disagreements, and eventual repair offer a relatable picture of learning to become siblings.
Star of the Week by Darlene Friedman
A kindergartener adopted from China navigates questions and feelings about her birth parents during a classroom activity. Its honest, age-appropriate language can help parents approach similar conversations without making assumptions or promises.
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
This picture book tells the story of an infant domestic adoption and the child’s arrival home. Some birth-family language may not fit every family, but the story can help parents and children revisit their own beginnings together.
We Belong Together by Todd Parr
Simple language, inclusive illustrations, and changing pronouns make this book accessible to many kinds of adoptive families. Families can use its repeated structure to create their own personalized story of belonging.
You Belong Here by M. H. Clark
Although not specifically about adoption, this lyrical picture book offers a broad and affirming message of love and belonging. Families may want to consider sensitivity around language that suggests a child was “meant to be” theirs.
Emotions + Connection
A Kids Book About Anxiety by Ross Szabo
Designed for children and grownups to read together, this book explains how anxiety differs from nervousness. It helps families begin talking about what anxiety feels like and how to navigate it.
Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul
When Allie’s anger reveals the sadness underneath, her brother helps her regulate through movement, breathing, and connection. The story offers a helpful way to discuss co-regulation and the feelings behind difficult behavior.
Captain Snout and the Super Power Questions by Daniel Amen
This playful story helps children recognize automatic negative thoughts and question whether they are true. It gives families a simple tool for responding to challenges with greater confidence.
The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague
This picture book explores how our circles of connection grow to include family, friends, and community. It can help children think about who belongs in their inner circle and the relationships beyond it.
Ellie Jelly and the Massive Mum Meltdown by Sarah Naish
When a mother becomes overwhelmed and her children follow, the family must find its way back to connection. The story helps families discuss regulation, parental mistakes, and the importance of repair.
How Little Coyote Found His Secret Strength by Anne Westcott and C. C. Alicia Hu
This therapeutic picture book helps children understand how difficult experiences can affect their bodies and reactions. A guide for grownups offers ideas for continuing the conversation.
I Can Handle It by Laurie Wright
Simple, memorable language guides children through situations that may feel overwhelming. The book builds problem-solving skills, emotional awareness, and confidence.
I Can Handle Special Occasions by Laurie Wright
This entry in the Mindful Mantras series helps children navigate the big feelings that can accompany holidays and special events. It offers simple solutions that encourage confidence and emotional regulation.
I Really Like Slop by Mo Willems
This playful Elephant & Piggie story offers an approachable way to discuss friendship, reciprocity, and trying something that matters to someone else. Like others in the series, it makes talking about relationships fun.
I Will Be Okay by Laurie Wright
Through simple language and relatable situations, this picture book helps children practice responding to worry and overwhelm. Its repeated message builds confidence that difficult feelings can be managed.
Just Between Us by Meredith Jacobs and Sophie Jacobs
Writing prompts and activities help mothers and daughters learn more about one another. The journal provides a framework for meaningful conversations and face-to-face connection.
My Heart by Corinna Luyken
This lyrical picture book explores joy, sadness, quiet, and self-acceptance. It encourages readers to listen to and trust their inner voice.
Olive by Michelle E. Wilson
Even when Olive makes mistakes and frustrates the people around her, she remains deeply loved. The story helps families talk about unconditional love and how to communicate it during difficult moments.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
When a child experiences sadness, several animals try to help before the rabbit simply listens. The story opens conversations about identifying what we need and caring well for one another.
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
Ruby discovers that worries can grow when carried alone and become more manageable when shared. This thoughtful story helps normalize anxiety and encourages children to seek support.
Silly Limbic by Naomi Harvey
A boy and his invisible dog help families understand how the brain responds to possible danger. The story gives children approachable language for calming an overactive “inner guard dog.”
So Many Cuddles by Ruth Austin
This playful book celebrates many ways of giving and receiving affection. It also reinforces children’s voices and boundaries by including moments when they do not want physical touch.
Tiger Days: A Book of Feelings by M. H. Clark
From feeling tiger-fierce to snail-slow, this book gives children playful language for changing emotions. It helps families notice and name the many ways a person can feel.
GenMindful
This website provides practical tools for positive parenting and early social-emotional learning. Families who visit The Sparrows in person may recognize these resources from the space.
Honoring Diversity
A Kids Book About Empathy by Daron K. Roberts
Designed for children and grownups to read together, this book introduces four practices for growing empathy. It shows that listening, asking questions, and simply being present can help us stand with others.
A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory
This accessible book explains what racism is, what it can look like, and how it affects people. It gives children and grownups a starting point for honest conversations.
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Rhyming language and inclusive illustrations portray a community where everyone has a place. The story encourages children to value diversity and help create spaces of belonging.
Ballerina Dreams by Michaela DePrince
Written by an adoptee, this book tells how Michaela DePrince journeyed from Sierra Leone to become a ballerina. The story begins with parental loss and life in an orphanage, so families may want to read it thoughtfully.
Big Hair, Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates
Colorful illustrations and a confident main character make this a joyful celebration of Black hair, beauty, and self-expression.
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
This classic picture book celebrates the many beautiful shades of human skin. Families can extend the story by creating portraits with a diverse range of skin-tone art supplies.
Creative God, Colorful Us by Trillia Newbell
This chapter book explores human diversity through a biblical lens. Activities and discussion questions help children and grownups continue the conversation together.
Everybody’s Welcome by Patricia Hegarty
In this comforting story, forest animals build a home where everyone belongs. Its imaginative design invites conversations about welcoming neighbors, supporting people in need, and creating inclusive communities.
Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
Told through the author’s middle-school perspective, this memoir follows his family’s journey from Iran to a refugee camp and eventually Oklahoma. It is an engaging exploration of immigration, cultural identity, and early trauma for middle-school readers and grownups.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
A young Asian girl draws strength from the women in her family and learns to recognize her own beauty. Poetic language and rich illustrations celebrate identity, heritage, and belonging.
Eyes That Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
After a classmate draws his eyes as straight lines, a young Asian boy finds affirmation in his family and heritage. The story helps families discuss physical differences, representation, and racial identity.
God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell
Playful illustrations and a Gospel-centered message affirm that every person is made in God’s image and has inherent value. The book also addresses the harm people cause when they treat others poorly because of their differences.
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
This award-winning story follows a father learning to style his daughter’s hair while her mother is away. It is a warm celebration of Black hair, family connection, and love.
How to Fight Racism: Young Reader’s Edition by Jemar Tisby
Written for ages 8–12, this adaptation introduces racial injustice and ways young people can pursue change. It emphasizes awareness, relationships, and meaningful action.
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
Poetic language and inclusive illustrations offer young readers a message of confidence, kindness, and self-worth.
I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer
This accessible picture book introduces young children to Rosa Parks and her role in the civil rights movement. Reading it together gives families space to discuss racism, courage, and standing up for what is right.
I Love My Hair! by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
This simple, joyful story for younger children celebrates Black hair and the many beautiful ways it can be worn.
I Matter by Laurie Wright
Part of the Mindful Mantras series, this book reinforces that children matter because of who they are—not simply because of what they do.
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
This picture book introduces children to the history and meaning of Juneteenth. It connects the celebration of freedom with Black history, family, and remembrance.
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
As CJ and his grandmother travel across town to volunteer, she helps him notice beauty, gratitude, and community. The story encourages children to look beyond what they lack and recognize the value around them.
Mixed by Arree Chung
When red, yellow, and blue stop living in harmony, a new relationship begins to change their divided world. Playful illustrations invite conversations about difference, prejudice, connection, and change.
Sulwe by Lupita Nyongo
A young girl who wishes her dark skin were lighter learns to recognize her beauty and intrinsic value. This gorgeously illustrated story celebrates self-acceptance and colorism awareness.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
This story normalizes the discomfort of feeling different and shows how sharing our experiences can create connection. It speaks to physical, cultural, linguistic, and family differences.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
After moving to a new country, Unhei worries that her classmates will not pronounce her name correctly. The story explores cultural identity, belonging, and the importance of honoring someone’s name.
This Is Me by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Children consider what they would carry if they moved to a new country with only one suitcase. An interactive pop-up invites conversations about immigration, family history, identity, and the stories that shape us.
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner
Written for children ages 3–8, this sweet, faith-centered story celebrates each child’s uniqueness. Its vibrant illustrations reflect a diverse world.
You Matter by Christian Robinson
Inclusive illustrations and simple language affirm that everyone matters, including during moments of loss or loneliness. Its message makes it especially meaningful for families formed through adoption.
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