Brannen, Sarah S., Miles Comes Home. Illustrated by Forrest Burdett. 32p. Little bee books, $18.99 (9781499814736) Recommended grade levels, PreK-1
Beginning on the day of Miles’s adoption, the reader follows his story from departing his foster home to joining a new family with Teddy, David, and Michelle, his new sibling. When he first leaves the foster home, Miles is both sad and excited, and Teddy and David acknowledge his range of emotions. Before being adopted Miles plays the piano and misses it. Teddy, David, and Michelle introduce him to their interests including art, skating, and musicals. Miles tries new things and gets up when he falls. This book is illustrated with cartoon-like characters and soft textures that make the story feel light. This book succeeds at being a celebratory story of LGBTQ+ families who adopt.
Perspectives: While it celebrates an LGBTQ+ family forming and includes racial diversity in the pages, this story should not be the only book on an adoptee’s bookshelf. This book is centered on the perspective of adoptive parents rather than an adoptee. The valid emotions of being an adoptee and the complexities of them go beyond adoption day and should be recognized as such for children.
Practice: In practice, this book should only be read to children with context and should never be a single story. This book may support a child in feeling proud of their family structure and other adoptee stories can be used to support adoptee identity.
We recommend this book if it makes sense for you and your family. However, if you are looking for a picture book to support your adoptee’s reflection on their adoptee identity, we recommend skipping it.
The Adoptee Bookshelf 