Best Adoption Books of 2026

Parenting: Getting It Right is a comprehensive guide for parents seeking to understand and live by essential parenting principles. Written by seasoned experts on faith and parenting, Andy and Sandra Stanley, this book combines their experience and wisdom into an accessible guide that helps readers learn the steps to pursue the most important goal in parenting. The Stanleys cover everything from learning the four distinct stages of parenting to identifying their shortlist of non-negotiables and learning to stick to it. This book is a valuable resource for any parent who wants to feel confident about raising a healthy and happy family.

The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family is a remarkable parenting handbook that provides practical advice to parents dealing with behavior problems in their adopted children. Written by two research psychologists specializing in adoption and attachment, the book offers guidance on how to build affection and trust with your child, effectively handle any learning or behavioral disorders, and discipline your child with love without making them feel threatened. The book is a must-read for adoptive parents and families striving to connect with their children. Overall, The Connected Child is an exceptional and innovative work that is compassionate, accessible, and founded on a breadth of scientific knowledge and clinical expertise.

"You Should Be Grateful" by Angela Tucker is a captivating memoir that challenges the fairy-tale narrative of adoption and sheds light on the complex layers of rejection, loss, and identity that transracial adoptees face. Tucker, a Black woman adopted by white parents, shares deeply personal stories, history, and anecdotes from mentorship sessions with adopted youth. The book is a passionate call to rethink the way we manage and talk about adoption in America. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in adoption, race, and identity."

The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the effects of separating babies from their birth mothers in adoption. It delves into the psychological aspects of attachment, bonding, and loss that affect adoptees throughout their lives. The book provides validation for the feelings of adoptees and offers explanations for their behavior. It also explores the coping mechanisms adoptees use to establish connections with their adoptive families. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt abandoned or misunderstood. It is a valuable contribution to the healing of all members of the adoption triad.

I Will Always Love You is a heartwarming children's book that tells the story of a mother giraffe and her unconditional love for her baby. The book takes the reader on a journey through the African Plains with beautiful watercolor illustrations. This is a perfect gift for new families who want to express their love for their little ones. Dr. Turns' story is a great way to teach kids about the lives of animals while highlighting the universal theme of a mother's love. Overall, this book is an excellent addition to any children's book collection.

Reclaim Compassion is a practical and powerful guide for adoptive parents experiencing blocked care. Written by adoptive parents who have overcome this issue themselves, the book offers a step-by-step process for reconnecting with your child and yourself. Rooted in faith and backed by neuroscience, the authors provide a holistic approach to understanding and overcoming blocked care. The book includes honest stories from the authors and other parents to help readers recognize that they are not alone. Overall, Reclaim Compassion is a valuable resource for adoptive parents seeking to renew their hope and rediscover the parent they know they can be.

The Connected Parent is a practical guide for parents dealing with the challenges of raising adopted or foster children with unique needs. Renowned child-development expert Dr. Karyn Purvis and coauthor Lisa Qualls provide powerful tools and real-world experience to encourage secure attachment in families. The book offers practical strategies to simplify the approach, nurture children, combat chronic fear, teach respect, and develop other valuable tools to facilitate a healing connection with the child. This book is an excellent resource for any adult caring for a child who knows hard places.

This book, titled "Healing Your Inner Child First: Becoming the Best Version of Yourself by Letting Go of the Past, Overcoming Trauma, and Feeling Worthy (The Power of Healing)", is an insightful resource that guides readers through the process of rediscovering and healing their inner child. It emphasizes the importance of healing one's inner child before embarking on the journey of self-improvement. The book covers topics such as the effects of childhood trauma, stages of the healing process, and various healing practices. Overall, it is a valuable read for anyone seeking to enhance their personal growth and overcome past traumas.

Beat the Heart Attack Gene is a must-read for those who want to prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Written by renowned cardiovascular specialists Bradley Bale, MD, and Amy Doneen, ARNP, the book offers a new model for understanding and preventing heart disease based on genetic factors. The Bale/Doneen Method is a comprehensive prevention plan that detects cardiovascular disease at an early stage and helps prevent recurrences. The book includes easy quizzes and self-tests that show how to determine cholesterol genotype and advice on how to apply that knowledge through nutritional and lifestyle changes. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to live a healthy, active life without fear of heart disease.

Finding Chika is a heartwarming memoir by Mitch Albom, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays With Morrie. The book tells the story of Chika Jeune, a young Haitian orphan whose short life would forever change Albom's heart. After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, Chika becomes a permanent part of Albom's household, and their lives, as they embark on a two-year, around-the-world journey to find a cure. Through illuminating conversations with Chika herself, Albom celebrates the incredible bond they formed, resulting in a devastatingly beautiful portrait of what it means to be a family, regardless of how it is made. Overall, Finding Chika is a moving memoir of love and loss that will leave readers inspired.