Books about adopted characters

This sweet rhyming tale about a same-sex couple adopting a child is a lovely read for any family, but perhaps particularly ones with same-sex parents that may not always find their experience represented in picture books.

This rhyming picture book celebrating same sex parents is a gentle and sweet read, with the added bonus of including mention of a gay couple adopting their daughter.

On each double-page spread of this vibrant, lovely book, families show the different ways they experience a variety of common experiences to us all. Overall, the great thing about families, whatever their makeup, is that they help us through the difficult times.

A heart-warming exploration of the adoption journey full of beautiful, inclusive illustrations.

This heart-warming true story about working hard to achieve your dreams will inspire children to believe that they can be whoever they want to be.

Can Tilly help the scared horse she feels such a bond with? The perfect wish fulfilment story for a pony-mad reader, written by an Olympic equestrian.  

Paddington, the brown bear from darkest Peru, is found by the Brown family on Paddington Station with his hat, duffel coat and marmalade sandwiches.

An illustrated diary-style novel in the mode of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates, with a sparky narrator who perfectly captures the voice of an upper primary age girl and her thoughts about life. A sensitive and funny story.

A funny, enchanting adventure about a scared boy, a magical fox, a monstrous shape-shifting beast and finding the courage to protect what you love.

First published in the 1930s, this classic story of three very different girls who work hard to master their talents has captivated children’s imaginations for decades

Anne Shirley is one of literature’s finest heroines, and this first book of her adventures is the perfect book about growing up, friendship and family.

This moving tale centres around two eleven-year-old girls, Usha – a quiet introvert grieving for her grandmother – and Imtiaz, who grew up in a children’s home and has been adopted by Usha’s family. Packed full of history, this poignant novel about family secrets and broken promises explores some of the injustices faced by generations of migrants to Britain. 

Stella wants to join The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club – although technically, she can’t, simply because she’s a girl. Stella is determined to prove she can be as good an explorer as anyone. This is a magical and charming adventure with memorable characters.

Alex needs to act fast or his family will be torn apart

A funny and exciting school story that turns into a wild fantasy adventure when Tunde dicovers he can sprout giant wings and his destiny is to save the world! The book is brilliantly inclusive and handles themes of bullying, racism, and the challenges of being adopted. 

Lorraine Gregory creates a fully fleshed-out fantasy world, full of wondrous creatures and horrible humans. The humour is earthy and the action bloody (gruesomely so, at points), and it all combines perfectly in this great read.

Fans of Philip Pullman’s sophisticated fantasy will love Juman Malouf’s intricate, strange world of urchin children in a shadowy world full of evil cats, mysterious spheres, circus performers and a remarkable cast of ragtag characters.