Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
Adoption Stories
Video Clip: Bringing Asha Home
In this video excerpt, Uma Krishnaswami shares the story of how she became interested in writing a children's book about adoption.
In these stories about adoption, you will meet children from around the world (and animals) who have been adopted, brothers and sisters anxious to meet their new siblings, and loving parents who have placed their children for adoption or adopted a child themselves.
The stories themselves, author notes, and discussion questions offer families guidance in respectfully discussing the complicated topic of adoption with children.
A Mother for Choco
Choco is a little yellow bird who lives all alone. When Choco decides that he wants a mother, he has trouble finding one who looks just like him. Finally, just as he has given up hope, he meets Mrs. Bear. Not only does Mrs. Bear hug him and kiss him, she takes him home to her family. A delightful story about finding family in wonderful (and unexpected) places. Also available in Spanish.
Allison
When Allison tries on the red kimono her grandmother has sent her, she is suddenly aware that she resembles her favorite doll more than she does her mother and father. When she learns that she is adopted, she becomes angry and withdrawn. Allison's doll becomes her only solace until she finds a stray cat in the garden and learns the true meaning of adoption and parental love.
Bringing Asha Home
It's Rakhi Day, a Hindu celebration special to brothers and sisters, and Arun wishes he had a little sister. Soon his wish comes true when he finds out that his parents will be adopting Asha, a little girl from India. Waiting for Asha is hard, though, and Arun is impatient. Arun's patience finally pays off when Asha arrives — just in time to celebrate another Rakhi Day. Beautiful pastel illustrations bring Arun and this uplifting story to life.
Horace
Product description: Horace, a leopard, is the adopted son of tiger parents. As Horace grows older, he begins to wonder whether he really belongs with his adopted family, especially since he has spots and they have stripes. After running away and some misadventures, however, Horaces realizes that his spots make him special — and that no one loves him as much as his parents do.
I Don't Have Your Eyes
Product description: "I don't have your eyes, but I have your way of looking at things…" begins this uplifting book celebrating the differences within families as well as the similarities that connect them. Lovely illustrations depict children and parents from a wide variety of backgrounds sharing special moments together.
I'm Adopted!
Product description: Why was I adopted? What was it like where I was born? How did you find me? Children have many questions about adoption. With a perceptive text and dynamic photographs of adopted children and their families, the creators of this book demystify adoption for young children and celebrate the joy that comes with adding to a family.
Mother Bridge of Love
This poem, submitted by an anonymous adoptive mother to the Mother Bridge of Love charity in London, tells the story of a birth mother and adoptive mother who never meet but are connected by their love for a little Chinese girl. Exquisite paintings illustrate the many ways in which the two women's lives, dreams, and hopes are intertwined, as well as the limitless love they each feel for the little girl.
Star of the Week: A Story of Love, Adoption, and Brownies with Sprinkles
Product Description: It's Cassidy-Li's turn to be Star of the Week at school, so she's collecting photos for her poster. She has pictures of all the important people in her life — with the exception of her birth parents in China. With a little help from her family, though, she comes up with the perfect way to include them.
Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale
Product description: This is the magical story of one baby's journey from her birth parents in China, who dream of a better life for their daughter, to her adoptive parents on the other side of the world, who dream of the life they can give her. Many friends along the way shepherd the baby as she floats in a basket on a moonlit, winding river into the loving arms of her new parents.
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born
Recommended by Latrice – I love this book because it beautifully tells the story of adoption in a way that tells adopted children that: you were chosen and special; you were a part of this family from the beginning; and your birth parents are wonderful people who loved you enough to allow you to become a part of our family. Spanish version also available.
The Moccasins
Based on the author's life, this simple yet profound book is about the pair of moccasins that a child receives from his foster mother. Through the moccasins, the child's mother encourages him to take pride in his Ktunaxa (First Nations) heritage. Earl Einarson dedicates this book to "all foster parents who give of themselves and provide love when it is most needed."
The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale
In this enchanting story from Grace Lin, a king and queen try to find the cause of their mysterious heartache. Finally, an old peddler discovers that someone far away is tugging at their hearts with an invisible red thread. In order to discover who that someone is and cure their heartache, the king and queen must follow the red thread to its end. Based on an ancient Chinese belief that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to be together, this beautiful book will resonate with adopted children and families alike.
We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families
With bold, colorful illustrations and his characteristic kid-friendly, accessible style, Todd Parr explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family through adoption: "We belong together because you needed a home and I had one to share."
We See the Moon
"We See the Moon" opens the adoption dialogue at an early age by allowing the questions in your child's heart to be asked and discussed, creating the foundation for conversations to come. This is a story written from the child's perspective, asking the questions that dwell in their hearts about their birthparents: What do you look like? Where are you now? Do you think of me? It will help children use the moon as a private tool to connect with a family that is always with them in their hearts.
Yafi's Family
Product Description: Meet Yafi, a six-year-old Ethiopian boy who was adopted as a young child. Yafi, his parents, and two sisters remember his early life and his adoption experience by telling stories, revisiting memories, and looking at photographs. Yafi's Family is the story of love, loss, and a boy's discovery of how wide and how deep the bonds of family can be.
Search Colorín Colorado
Very informative! It shows how much you care for the ELL children by the information and research put into this wonderful website! ¡Muchas Gracias!
~ Ruth Z.
