Some time ago I published a blog on Reassuring Your Adopted Child. This blog shares some more books with reassuring messages for adopted children—and for all children.
Max Lucado, author of spiritual books for both adults and children, has two books which I believe will be helpful. The first book is Just in Case You Ever Wonder. The illustrations by Toni Goffe begin with a young infant, but the text could be for either birth or adoption:
“The same hands that made the stars made you.”
“God made you like no one else.”
“And since you were so special , God wanted to put you in just the right home…so, after lots of looking for just the right family, God sent you to me. And I’m so glad He did.”
Lucado then has the parent (illustrations show a father and daughter) describe sharing many special moments with a child, both as a baby and as the child grows. He says he’s there to give love when a child is scared, bullied, or getting bad grades.
Parents who do not share Christian beliefs may want to preview the book. last few pages of the book have a special emphasis on heaven and what it is like:
“God wants me to make sure you know about heaven.”
I especially like the Max Lucado book Because I Love You. This is a parable about the love God, and any parent, bears for a child no matter what the child has done wrong. It deals with free will and forgiveness.
Other Max Lucado books contribute to children’s self-esteem, such as the book and video You Are Special and Best of All.
For Every Child is a book published by the international children’s aid society UNICEF. It illustrates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in simple words and pictures. Each of the fifteen two-page spreads illuminates one selected right, such as the right to play, the right not to be made a party in any war, the right to protection from abuse. Each spread is by a different artist. The artists represent ten different countries. This gentle book reinforces, I believe the idea that each child is valuable just the way they are.
Passages particularly relevant to adoption are:
“Every one of us shall have a name and a land to call our own.”
“Protect us from anyone who would be cruel.”
“Keep our families together, and if we have no family, look after us and love us just the same.”
Please see these related blogs:
Helping Children with a Dual Reality of Birthdays