Books For Preschool

and Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
$16.99
A true story about two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo who become a couple, build a nest together and start a family by hathcing an abandoned egg given to them by the zoo-keeper. The book is a gentle, fun and matter of fact llustration of the point that two dad families are just another kind of family. The light-hearted color drawings of Tango, her dads and the other penguins in the zoo are a central part of the book’s charm.

Pact says: Validating families with two dads: this is a must-have for families and schools.
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Back of the Bus
by Aaron Reynolds, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
$16.99
The story of Rosa Parks is told from a young black boys perspective and he and his mother ride on the back of the bus and watch Rosa Parks refuse to give up her seat for a white person.

Pact says: What is great about this book is that the story unfolds just as it would for a child, sometimes uncertain, trying to figure out not only the words but also the body language of the adults around him. This makes for a great conversation starter about how Rosa Parks and others reacted and stood up to segregation and racism.
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Bippity Bop Barbershop
by Natasha Tarpley, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis
$16.99
In this companion book to the bestselling I Love My Hair, a young boy, Miles, makes his first trip to the barbershop with his father. Like most little boys, he is afraid of the sharp scissors, the buzzing razor, and the prospect of picking a new hairstyle. But with the support of his dad, the barber, and the other men in the barbershop, Miles bravely sits through his first haircut.

Pact says: Written in a reassuring tone with a jazzy beat, this book captures an important rite of passage forboys and celebrates African American identity.
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Black is Brown is Tan
By Arnold Adoff
$6.99
This collection of poems about biracial identity, presented in an accessible, conversational voice, have stood the test of time and serve as a good springboard for discussing racial heritage with children. This series projects a clear and positive perspective for young people in general, standing up for an "I'm okay" attitude that will likely feel supportive to multiracial children. The poems express the voice of a well-rounded character who values helping the community while progressing toward self-realization. One of the few books of poetry to address this topic.

Pact says: This poetry about biracial identity has been a favorite for over thirty years.
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David's Father
by Robert M. Munsch
$6.95
When David moved to the neighborhood, Julie was afraid of David's father because he was a giant. David, who was adopted, is not a giant and looks like a regular kid. When Julie got to know David's father, she found out he was very nice after all, but still kind of scary. "You think he is scary?" asks David. "Wait till you meet my grandmother."

Pact says: A hilarious story written from the point of view of the adopted child who has to explain to the world about his very strange parents. Every adopted child should have this book because it's the only one that turns the tables and identifies the parents and grandparents as different and the child as just a regular kid. Presenting a positive approach to the differences that can sometimes divide young children; David is the defender of difference, not the target. Don't miss this book.
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Did My First Mother Love Me?
by Kathryn M Miller
$12.95
Morgan knows her adoptive mother and father love her, but she wonders about her birth parents. Did they love her too? At the end of the book, there is a nice discussion for adults about how to talk about adoption with children.

Pact says: A Pact bestseller. Books that articulate the challenges of growing up adoption can be a real springboard to conversation and break through any sense of "being the only one" your adopted child may have. The illustrations are realistic and wonderfully detailed, using warm, clear colors and depicting simple scenes.
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Different Dragon, The
by Jennifer Bryan, Illustrated by Danamarie Hosler
$10.95
This is an enchanting book of adventure and storytelling. Noah and his mother Go-Ma weave a tale of a boy in search of excitement and a dragon who doesn't want to be fierce anymore. The author knows exactly how parents and young children tell stories, with input from the child driving the narration. The fact that Noah has two moms is incidental to the main story. The book is inclusive without being preachy.

Pact says: Books that are creative and validating are important to children who live a â01Cdifferentâ01D experience every day.
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Forever Fingerprints
By Sherrie Eldridge, Illustrated by Rob Williams
$17.95
Forever Fingerprints uses a common occurrence - a relative's pregnancy - as a springboard for discussions on birthparents, and where adopted children are before they are born. Lucie is excited to feel a baby moving in her Aunt Grace's tummy but it makes her think of how she understands her adoption story in a different way. The tools offered by her parents - an understanding of how each person has unique fingerprints given to them by the specific mixture of their birth parents genetics - give Lucie's parents the chance to reinforce their love for her, to empathize with her feelings of confusion and interest about her birth parents and to honor her connections to her birth heritage.

Pact says: This is a worthwhile addition to every family's library, yet another vehicle to encourage the normal discussion of children's experience of and growing understanding about what it means to be adopted. This book is autographed by the author and includes a washable inkpad and a special sheet for making a fingerprint memory as well as some suggestions for parents about how to use the story with their children. We like it.
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One Wonderful You
by Francie Portnoy
$9.95
"You are unique because you are a wonderful blend of both your families." This straightforward, clear and entertaining book talks in language kids can understand about genetics, heritage and what adoption really means. The simple message reinforces basic information in an appealing way. Multicultural cartoon-like illustrations add appeal.

Pact says: We love the inherent message of completeness, helping children from the beginning feel great about BOTH their family legacies. Written by an adoptee, there is no question that the book's validating message will help children feel comfortable in their skin as they process the facts of their adoption. And it has some humor as a bonus!
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Over The Moon: An Adoption Story
by Karen Katz
$7.95
Once upon a time a teeny-tiny baby was born. At the same time, a man and a woman had a dream. They saw the baby in a basket surrounded by beautiful flowers and they knew it was the child they had been longing for. Bright, exuberant illustrations tell the story of how one family came together with the lively appeal of Guatemalan folk art.The child has brown skin and looks Central American.

Pact says: In this story, a mom and dad fly to a faraway place to adopt their baby. The message is reassuring, the illustrations are delightful and the text is happy.
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Pablo's Tree
by Pat Mora
$17.95
Five-year-old Pablo can hardly wait to see how Abuelito, his grandfather, has decorated Pablo's tree for his birthday. When Mama first told her father that she was going to adopt a baby and name it after him if it were a boy, Lito went out and bought the tree for his grandson. He moved the tree from place to place and watered it, but he waited to plant it until the day that Mama finally brought Pablo home. And every year since then, Lito has decorated the tree for Pablo's birthday.

Pact says: This book is a powerful tool for all adoptive families, at any stage of pre or post-adoption. Illustrates a family ritual and how it promotes deep and enduring attachments for a child as he grows. This is one of the only books about adoption featuring Latino characters.. Recommended for the home library of every child of Latino or Hispanic heritage.
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Sam's Sister
by Juliet C. Bond
$18.00
Finally -- a book that acknowledges the birth siblings of adopted children. Sam's Sister follows six-year-old Rosa as she comes to understand her mother's dilemma, learns about adoption, experiences his birth and placement with Sarah and Joe. We are delighted that Rosa and her family are Latino.

Pact says: We hope this book makes it into every adoptive and birth family home as well as becoming a staple for agency personnel to use with their prospective clients. Buy a copy for your own children and your adopted children's birth siblings. Even if your child doesn't know his or her birth family, this story delivers a terrifically positive message. Four stars.
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Shades of Black
by Sandra L. Pinkney
Embraces the beauty and diversity of African American children. Using simple poetic language these photographic portraits and descriptions of varied skin tones, hair texture and eye color convey a strong sense of pride in a unique heritage.

Pact says: Pictures of the real faces of African American children demonstrate in a visual way the true diversity of "black" people, allowing young children to understand that blackness derives not from the color but from the culture of a people.

Shades of Black (Hardcover) $15.95 Quantity

Shades of Black (Board book for younger children) $6.99 Quantity

We See The Moon
by Carrie Kitze
$16.95
This is a story written from the adopted child's perspective, asking the questions about his or her birthparents that are often unspoken. ...What do you look like? Where are you now? Do you think of me? It teaches children to use the moon as a private tool to connect with family that is always with them in their hearts.

Pact says: We love this book! It is simple and hopeful in a Zen like way- focused, refined and beautiful. Delivering the message that all beings are connected, it succeeds in transforming the sadness of separation into a healing experience, inspiring readers toward finding their own meanings. Every adopted child (and adult) needs a copy of this book.
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Where Do I Belong?
by Ola Zuri
$14.95
A story of a Transracially adopted child who is the only black person in the family and feels sad and lonely. The child tries to feel good about themselves and make good choices. The goal is to encourage children to love themselves first and remember that God loves them, even if they don't feel comfortable in their family.

Pact says: This book is written to children who feel like they don't fit and to parents of transracial adoptees to give them insight into their child's experience. Some children may not relate to the story but it can still be used as a conversation starter.