I’m a Big Sister or I’m a Big Brother by Joanna Cole and Maxie Chambliss (ages 2-6) – “Someone new is at our house!” Told through the eyes of a new older sister or brother, this simple story lays out all the good things about being an older sibling, and just how exciting welcoming a new member to the family can be. These aren’t adoption specific, but since they don’t cover the pregnancy and hospital part of becoming an older sibling, they can be used by adoptive families. There is also a section for parents.

Emma’s Yucky Brother by Jean Little (ages 5-10) – Emma has always wanted a little brother. Now her family is adopting Max, and Emma is sure he will be the best brother ever. But Max has his own ideas. He thinks sisters are yucky, and that Emma is the yuckiest! Is this really what having a brother is all about? Little gradually shows how both Max and Emma accept the new situation, all the while illustrating the difficult feelings experienced by all members of a family in the midst of the adoption transition. She works in quite a bit of information about the process, including mention of social-worker visits, transitional visits by the adoptee, and the purpose of foster families. Great for families adopting a toddler or older child to help prepare the older siblings. The family is adopting from the foster care system in the US, but this book could be adapted for a family adopting an older child internationally.

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth (ages 8-12) – Eleven-year-old Jarrett’s fine with his mom taking care of foster babies, but not like this. The baby has an older brother named Kevon, who won’t stop acting all superior around Jarrett. To make matters worse, Jarrett has to share his room with him. As much as they dislike each other, the boys have to find a way to live in harmony. Booth offers candid insight into racism, poverty, and the foster care system without becoming heavy-handed. This is a good book for both children in foster care and children with foster siblings living at home.

Bad Kitty Meets the Baby by Nick Bruel (ages 7-10) – Kitty’s owners bring home a big surprise one day—a baby! But Kitty doesn’t really know what a baby is for or what it’s supposed to do, and Kitty isn’t so sure about it. It plays, it stinks, it drools; Kitty is sure it’s a dog.  This chapter book is an excellent pick to help young readers learn about adding a new sibling to their family or for children to see that lots of people—and kitties—are adopted!

W.I.S.E. Up! Powerbook (ages 6-16) – Created by the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE) in 2009, the W.I.S.E. Up Powerbook is designed to help adopted children and children in foster care learn how to confidently handle their story and answer questions from others on their own terms. The book presents realistic situations that adopted and foster kids are likely to encounter, and guides parents and kids through different approaches to answering. Organized around the acrostic W.I.S.E., kids learn that they can Walk away, reply that It’s private, choose to Share something, or Educate others. Great resource for older adopted kids, and much of the information would also be appropriate to help tweens and teens know how to handle the inevitable questions they may get about your upcoming adoption. It’s a good resource for the whole family to use together.

Bringing Asha Home by Uma Krishnaswami (ages 5-9) – All eight-year-old Arun wants is someone to share the holiday with, and his biggest wish is for a little sister. His wish may come true as his parents travel to India to adopt Asha and welcome the new baby girl into their family, but it takes a year for the adoption from India to be finalized. Despite the obstacles, Arun still finds ways to connect with his future sibling across the world. This book is perfect for young children anxiously awaiting new siblings as the family all experiences their adoption journey together. It’s a good way to talk about the adoption of a new sibling and explain how the process works. Features a bi-racial (Indian/white) family.

Real Sisters Pretend by Megan Dowd Lambert (ages 3-7) – Tayja and Mia aren’t biologically related–Tayja is black, while Mia is white–but that doesn’t mean they aren’t real sisters. During a game of make-believe, Mia, who doesn’t quite understand pretending yet, suggests they pretend to be sisters. Tayja holds Mia’s face in her hands, the two touching foreheads, and states, “No, Mia—we don’t have to pretend that. We are sisters. Real sisters.” Kiddos in adoptive families, whether they are adopted or biological, will always have to justify their family to outsiders. Inspired by a real conversation between Lambert’s daughters, Real Sisters Pretend is a good way to start that conversation, especially with younger children.

A Most Unusual Day by Sydra Mallery (ages 3-6) – Today is a very unusual day! Caroline wakes up late, forgets her socks, and feels strange all the way to school. She tries to help her teacher, but everything is mixed up today and all Caroline manages to do is make a great big mess. Finally, the school day ends and Caroline rushes outside to greet her parents, who are having a rather extraordinary day themselves. In their arms, they hold Caroline’s new baby sister, who has just arrived from far away. A heartwarming adoption story from a new big sister’s perspective.

The New Baby by Mercer Mayer (ages 3-7) – Little Critter is excited to learn that a new baby sister is coming to live with his family. But when the baby doesn’t pay any attention to him, Little Critter wonders what good a baby is. It’s not adoption specific, but it’s a good a good book to prepare your toddler or young preschooler for the adoption of a newborn.

Rebecca’s Journey Home by Brynn Sugarman (ages 4-8) – On the eve of adopting a baby girl from Vietnam, a Jewish family reflects on their happy preparations for her arrival and their eagerness for her to become an addition to their family, as well as a blessed part of the Jewish people. Brothers Jacob and Gabriel raise the points that their new sister will be Vietnamese, Jewish and American all at the same time. It’s a good look at how to honor an adopted child’s birth culture while also including her in her new culture. “Now the baby had three names. She had a Vietnamese Name: Le Thi Hong. She had an English name: Rebecca Rose. And she had a Hebrew name: Rivka Shoshanah.”

So You’ve Adopted a Sibling by Holly Marlow (ages 4-8) –This book is a companion to Marlow’s Adopting a Little Brother or Sister and is keyed into the post-adoption experience of a resident child who has helped parents welcome home a new sibling by adoption. It explores the good and not-so-good feelings of change and helps kids normalize the emotions they may feel during the transition. Can be read alone, or as part of the series.

Suddenly Siblings: Adventures in Fostering and Adoption by Gail and Molly Heaton (ages 5-12) – This workbook of 25 lessons will help you prepare your children for the impacts of adopting or fostering a new sibling. There are practical, easy-to-implement tools to help your kids overcome the challenges common to siblings of kids from traumatic backgrounds and at the same time, strengthen your parent-child connection. The topics include: preventing sibling overwhelm, getting help when feeling overwhelmed, reducing conflict, improving communication skills, and coping with the stress or anxiety they might feel. There is an activity with each mini-lesson so you can work through the book at your own pace.

The Love Tree by Katie Biron (ages 3-8) — Family trees can be problematic for adoptees and kids in foster care.  In response, author, illustrator, and adoptive and foster mom Katie Biron wrote “The Love Tree.”  This charming book follows the story of Little Mouse, who comes home from school and tries to complete a difficult school assignment–creating a family tree. After a few tears of confusion and frustration, his adoptive mom, Mother Fox, explains that every family is different.  Together, they create a “Love Tree,” including all those who love Little Mouse, such as birth parents, adoptive parents, siblings, and even neighbors.  “The Love Tree” gives all kids a beautiful way to showcase their unique families proudly!    

Whistling for Angela by Robin Heald (ages 5-8) — As Daniel and his family prepare to meet his newly adopted baby sister, he wants to give her a special gift.  Daniel loves songbirds and wants to learn to whistle for her, but try as he might, he struggles to grasp this new skill.  When they arrive at the adoption center, his new sister’s birth mom shows Daniel just what to do to get her to smile. Based on the author’s adoption experiences, this story introduces children to open adoption and the making of a new family.  

Adopting a Little Brother or Sister by Holly Marlow (ages 4-8) – Written and illustrated from the perspective of a 5 year old who is waiting to become a big sister. Big sister shares her suggestions for other kids also going through the process of adoption from foster care. Topics include visits with social workers, meeting a new foster child, and even some of the challenges a young child might experience with the adoption or foster process (like how long it feels like it takes). There are also points that big sisters or brothers might find fun about adopting or fostering, like a new sibling being old enough to play together. Charming preparation for siblings already in the home.