Benson, Lorri Antosz. Adoptees Who Changed the World. Illustrated by Juanita Londoño Gaviria. 2024. Familius, $9.99 (9781641709941) Recommended Grade Levels: PreK-K
Rating: 4 stars – Buy it!
Identities: Famous adoptees of diverse backgrounds
A board book written and illustrated for young children that highlights trailblazers past and present, well-known figures and lesser-known, who all happen to be adopted! Each spread contains a quote, a snippet of background information regarding their adoption, and achievements. The illustrations are full of warmth, soft, and detailed, making each changemaker shine and adding nuance to their story. Written with young readers in mind, the text is developmentally appropriate and writes about the circumstances of each person’s adoption with honesty. The images are warm, vibrant, and capture each person’s personality. Adoption is an invisible identity, but adoptees equally deserve role models to look up to!
Perspectives: Written by a biological mother who gave up a child for adoption, this is the author’s third book, committed to exploring the complexities of the adoptee constellation for each person involved. I like how each adoptee has their own adoption story and does not fall into the traditional narrative of adoption, including kinship care and going beyond the nuclear family through the cultural practices of the Sioux. I also like how there is an example of a connection to the biological family and traits from a biological parent.
Practice: Small and short, this book is marketed for PreK and K, and with a board book format, it will appeal most to this age group. The language is clear and offers room to highlight different blocks of text. It is important to note that the author takes care to write in a developmentally appropriate manner with honesty, and there are references to kidnapping, enslavement, the death of a parent, and other circumstances of loss or grief that may be confusing and upsetting for a young child. Essential in providing a window for adoptees at a young age. I recommend previewing the book beforehand to prepare for these conversations. Know the child with whom you are sharing this story and prepare for how to best support them while reading.
The Adoptee Bookshelf 