The Colors of Us by Karen Katz (ages 6-8) – Seven-year old Lena is “the color of cinnamon.” She thinks brown skin is all the same until she takes a walk with her mom and learns that skin comes in many different shades, and they’re all beautiful. Katz wrote The Colors of Us for her daughter, who was adopted from Guatemala. A great book for transracial families of any hue.

Dara Palmer’s Major Drama by Emma Shevah (ages 8-12) – Dara Palmer is a star, and it’s about time the rest of the world knows it too. When she doesn’t get the lead part (or any part, for that matter) in her school play, she is shocked. Dara begins to question if it’s because she doesn’t look the part, since she’s adopted from Cambodia and the show is The Sound of Music, and she starts to wonder just how she fits in with the rest of her world. This often humorous novel explores questions of identity that every transracial adoptee must face growing up.

Adoptees Like Me: Marie Discovers Her Superpowers by Chaitra Wirta-Leiker (ages 6-8) — Marie, a transracial adoptee, is tired of people’s hurtful questions, such as, “Why don’t you look like your mom?” and “Why didn’t you stay with your real parents?”  Working with a therapist who is also a transracial adoptee, Marie learns different ways of responding and how to set limits and boundaries.  She discovers that being in charge of her own adoption story is her superpower! This is the first book in the author’s “Adoptees Like Me” series for ages 6-8. 

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.

My New Mom & Me by Renata Galindo (ages 3-6) – A beautifully illustrated story of a small puppy who is adopted by a cat. This gentle picture book is a calm look at adoption and joining families when all the newness is overwhelming and scary. The adopted child (a golden dog) and mother (an orange cat with brown stripes) are a good segue into how adoptive family members don’t necessarily look alike, especially in transracial adoption.

Kimchi & Calamari by Rose Kent (ages 9-13) – When his eighth-grade class is assigned to write about their ancestors’ journey to America, Joseph Calderaro has a problem: he doesn’t actually know anything about his ancestors. Joseph’s family might be Italian-American, but he was adopted from Korea. His parents want him to write about his Italian grandparents coming to America, but Joseph doesn’t feel right claiming that heritage as his own. Lighthearted and funny, Kimchi & Calamari is also willing to tackle complex issues, from anxious adoptive parents to birth-parent searches.

I Love My Hair! by Natasha Tarpley (ages 3-6) – This classic picture book celebrates the beauty of Black hair. As Keyana and her mother work through her nightly hair-care routine, they discuss all the different ways she can wear her hair and how lucky she is to have some beautiful hair. The water colors are beautiful as is the mother-daughter bond. This isn’t an adoption book, but is a must-have for anyone who has a Black daughter.

All Bears Need Love by Tanya Valentine (ages 2-6) – When Baby Brown Bear arrives at the City Zoo all along, he’s very frightened until Mama Polar Bear scoops him into her arms and promises to be his mother. Over and over, the other animals question Mama Polar Bear’s ability to mother a baby that is different, and over and over, she tells them of course she can love and care of Baby Brown Bear. Family is family, no matter the differences, and all bears need love. A good picture book for talking to kids about transracial adoption.

Equalland: Where Everyone Equally Matters by Romi Nation (ages 2-12) – A rhyming story about a beautiful land where all are welcome. The characters are a diverse group of children who show us that our differences make us unique and can unite us in beautiful ways. The book opens conversations about diversity, inclusion, tolerance, and kindness. Transracial adoptive, foster, and kinship families will appreciate seeing themselves in the families of the book.

Finding Family in a Far-Away Land by Amanda Wall (ages 4-8) – This is a thoughtful, sometimes light-hearted story of how two children can experience the same thing but respond differently. Ari and Priya are adopted from India into a diverse new family and a new country. The book provides a glossary cultural terms so readers can also learn facts about the characters’ Indian culture. This book is a good resource for families who want to learn together about how people process their stories. It hopes to open conversations for adoptees to process their own adoption story.

I Refuse to Choose by Melissa Montero (ages 8-12) — The story of Mayah, born into a loving and supportive bi-racial family.  Mayah feels pressured at school to choose which of her family’s cultures, African-American or Puerto-Rican, she has to be a part of.  Follow her story as she makes important decisions and learns valuable lessons about herself and how to navigate the world as a proud bi-racial child. Recommended for ages 8-12. 

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes — The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins.  This multi-award-winning book is for young black boys! This rhythmic read-aloud celebrates the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger black boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair. Suitable for elementary ages.