Mother’s Day 2026 is this coming Sunday, and a day when young people with complex familial relationships that fall outside the traditional narrative may experience a range of emotions. Let the young adoptee in your life take the lead in exploring what this day means for them.
As the caregiver, foster parent, adoptive parent, etc. take time to reflect on this day and what it brings up for you. Make sure that you are grounded and present to be able to support the young person in your life.
This is a great opportunity to audit the “adoptee bookshelf” in your home. Whose perspectives are centered? Whose are missing or on the margins?
Books are an opportunity to expand narratives and definitions around family, “mother”, birth mother, foster mom, etc. A great book that we have reviewed on the site that models this is Mama’s Home.
Below are a few examples of books that show representation or acknowledgement of a birth mother. Use the story as a bridge for open-ended conversation and make space for what comes up. All emotions are welcome!
Dixon, Sean. The Family Tree. Illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine. 2022. 48p. Tundra Books, $18.99 (9780735267664) Recommended grade levels PreK-3.
Ada is assigned “The Family Tree Assignment” by her teacher, who drew a beautiful oak tree that Ada is to complete by Monday.
Read the full review HERE.
Duncan, Faye Alice. Like a Mama. Illus. By Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. 2020. 40p. Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99 (9781534461833). Recommended grade level(s): K-2
A young girl misses her mother and father while in the care of Mama Rose. Review forthcoming.
Ho, Joanna & Kleinrock, Liz. Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders. Illustrated by Dung Ho. 2024. 40p. HarperCollins, $19.99 (9780063057777) Recommended grade levels K-5.
A young transracial Korean adoptee reflects on how her eyes do not match those of her adoptive parents.
Read the full review HERE.
Lears, Laurie. Megan’s Birthday Tree. Illus. by Bill Farnsworth. 2005. 32p. Albert Whitman & Company, $5.99 (9780807550366).
Recommended grade level(s): K-2
The relationship between birth mother and adoptee in an open adoption remains connected through a tree Kendra, Megan’s birth mother, planted when she was born. Review forthcoming.
Swift, Gayle and Swift, Casey. ABC Adoption & Me. Illustrated by Wesley Blauvelt. 2019. 38p. Gayle Swift, $13.99 (9781733659741) Recommended Grade Levels K-2.
Read the full review HERE.
Meet the Author
Maria is a Guatemalan adoptee, librarian, educator, and creative. She has served on book review committees and currently writes as a reviewer for Publishers Weekly. The Adoptee Bookshelf was born out of a desire to provide resources to adoptees, their families, and educators to create more inclusive spaces for adoptees. She is passionate about building community through books. You can follow Mari for more bookish content @msvtheadoptee on social media.
Interested in Joining the Team?
- Do you identify from the “I” perspective as part of the adoptee constellation AND are an educator, librarian, OR book reviewer?
We are looking for book reviewers and writers interested in writing pieces that promote adoptee literature. If you are interested, email us at: theadopteebookshelf@gmail.com or fill out the Contributor Interest Form HERE
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