Spence-Chapin Services International Adoption Books and Resources

Child Citizenship Act
The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 eliminates the need for families to obtain citizenship for their children through a separate naturalization process.
Citizenship and Immigration Service Process
Spence-Chapin's staff will guide you through all the paperwork required by your child's birth country as well as the United States. This is a look at what to expect from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

Adopting the Older Child, by Claudia Jewett
This book describes the transition from the honeymoon period through the testing phase and onto the full integration into a family. It gives practical, caring advice on how to handle each situation. (1978)
Are Those Kids Yours? American Families with Children Adopted from Other Countries, by Cheri Register, Ph.D.
What is involved in becoming an international family? Why are there children available for adoption in other countries? Should you adopt internationally? What should you answer when strangers ask, “Are those kids yours?” These questions and many more are addressed. (1991)
Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today's Parents, by Deborah D. Gray
This book provides adoptive parents with specific information that applies to children like theirs. It matches children's emotional needs and stages with parenting strategies designed to enhance their child's happiness and emotional health. The stages have been adapted for parents whose child might emotionally be a toddler at age six. This book gives parents techniques and information so they can provide their children with a home life designed to bring out the best in every family member. (2002)
Handbook for Single Adoptive Parents, edited by Hope Marindin
An indispensable guide for singles who are considering adoption or for those who have already adopted, the book includes: the mechanics of adoption, managing single parenthood, coping with challenges, personal adoption experiences, frequently asked questions and studies by professional social scientists showing the success of single parent adoption. (1998)
Making Sense of Adoption: A Parent's Guide, by Lois Melina
Raising Adopted Children, by Lois Melina
Considered a manual for adoptive parents, this book covers many aspects of the adoption experience for parents and those affected by adoption. Useful tips on how to approach several developmental stages are offered, including attention to special needs children. (1998)
Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft, by Mary Hopkins-Best
Increasingly, children are adopted past the age of infancy. This book covers all aspects of adopting and parenting these young children and includes help with making an informed decision about whether or not to adopt. (1997)

After the Morning Calm: Reflections of Korean Adoptees, by Dr. Sook Wilkinson & Nancy Fox, Editors
This book features the stories of 26 Korean adoptees of all ages, compelling reading for adopted persons, adoptive parents, professionals and prospective adoptive parents.
Culture Shock! Korea, by Sonja Vagdahl Hur & Ben Seunghwa Hur
Korean customs and etiquette differ significantly from those in Western countries, and can prove alienating to a newcomer. This book contains advice on doing business in Korea, how to introduce people, the meanings of yes and no, how to interact with people, food tips, housing and health care information and more. (1999)
Kids Like Me in China, by
Lost Daughters of China, by Karin Evans
Explores the emotional and political complexities of an international phenomenon that creates families across boundaries of culture and geography. (2000)
Our Children from Latin America, by Laurel Strassberger
An account of the author's personal experiences with adoption, it covers topics such as the health of Latin American children, emphasizing your child's cultural heritage, and what to tell a child about adoption. (1992)
A Passage to the Heart: Writings from Families with Children from China, edited by Amy Klatzkin
Contains over 100 hundred articles taken from Families with Children from China (FCC) newsletters. Topics include: the waiting period, the adoption journey, settling in, health and development, adoption after infancy, single parenting, culture, language, identity, race, going back, birth parents and much more. (1999)
A Single Square Picture: A Korean Adoptee's Search for Her Roots, by Katy Robinson
The memoir of an Korean adult adoptee about her search and post-reunion relationship with her birth family.(2002)
Voices from Another Place, edited by Susan Soon-Keum Cox
This book is a collection of works written by a generation born in Korea and adopted to other countries. The writings and works contained in this book are reflections of the experiences of Korean adoptees and express their deepest thoughts and feelings about being from another place. (1999)
Wanting a Daughter, Needing a Son, by
West Meets East, by Richard Tessler, et al.
This first survey of bicultural Chinese-American children, based on personal experiences and rigorous research, examines the implications of the new “American & Chinese” families that are being formed through the mechanism of international adoption. (1999)
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, by Jung Chang
The story of how three Chinese women's lives have been profoundly affected by the changes China has experienced since the turn of the century. (1992)

Adopted from Asia: How it Feels to Grow Up in America, by Frances Koh
A range of topics in this book include racial prejudice, friends, dating, racial/ethnic identity, self-identity/self-esteem, the relationships with adoptive parents and concerns about birth parents. (1993)
Ages 11 and up
Arroz con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America, selected by Lulu Delacre
Here's a wonderful assortment of authentic Latin American experiences. Bilingual text and illustrations. (1992)
Ages 3-7
Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes, by Robert Wyndham
Traditional Chinese children's poems used as lullabies, games, songs, counting lessons and guessing games. (1989, reissued 1998)
Ages 5-10
The Coffee Can Kid, by Jan M. Czech
This book is a treasure chest of unselfish love, hope and sweetness. The story is enchanting, and the illustrations whisper a deeper story still, of the wonder of a little girl, and the sacrifice of a mother, trusting in a better life for her child.(2002)
Ages 3-7
Families are Different, by Nina Pelligrini
An adopted girl from Korea shares the story of her family and what adoption has meant for her. (1991)
Ages 3-7
The First Thousand Words in Russian, by Heather Amery & Katrina Kirilenko
Illustrations teach a basic vocabulary of words in Russian. Includes a complete Russian-English alphabetical dictionary of these words, with their equivalents in the Roman alphabet, and a guide to pronouncing the Russian alphabet. (1989)
Ages 6-11
Horace, by Holly Keller
Horace is unhappy because his family is striped, but he is spotted. He soon realizes that being a family has nothing to do with the color (or pattern) of your skin. (1991)
Ages 5-10
Journey Through China, by Philip Steele
Introduces China and its sites, including The Great Wall, China's cities and countryside, its people, history and diverse culture. (1991)
Ages 5-10
Kids Explore America's Hispanic Heritage, by Westridge Young Writers Workshop
A kid's eye view of America's Hispanic culture, including: history, food, festivals, art, stories and language. (1996)
Ages 5-10
Long is a Dragon, by Peggy Goldstein
The Chinese language uses pictures called characters. This book will help you learn to write and read more than 75 words in Chinese. (1997)
Ages 5-10
Our Baby from China: An Adoption Story, by Nancy D'Antonio
Here's a true adoption story written for younger children. Introduces the topic of adoption as well as the culture of China. (1997)
Ages 3-7
Pablo's Tree, by Pat Mora
A grandfather celebrates his grandson's adoption by planting a new tree. With each birthday, they decorate the tree with something new and beautiful and tell the story of adoption day. (1994)
Ages 3-7
Piñatas and Paper Flowers, by Lila Perl
This bilingual book tells the history and customs of eight holidays as celebrated in Latin America. (1983)
Ages 5-10
Real Eggs & Dragon Boats: Celebrating Chinese Festivals, by Carol Stepanchuk
Describes the stories, customs, and recipes that make the festivals of China special. Four significant festivals are explained in depth. (1994)
Ages 5-10
Real for Sure Sister, by Ann Angel
An adopted girl with multicultural adopted brothers describes her feelings about having a new baby sister, and about sharing her life with siblings from different backgrounds. (1988)
Ages 5-10
The Seventh Sister: A Chinese Legend, retold by Cindy Chang
This folk tale tells the story of the seventh sister who was a particularly skillful weaver and her young love, the Cowherd. (1994)
Ages 3-7
Story of Adoption: Why Do I Look Different? by Darla Lowe
A young girl becomes aware of the physical differences between herself and her parents. She then learns the story of her adoption, from her birth in Korea to her forever family in America. (1987)
Ages 3-7
We Adopted You, Benjamin Koo, by Linda Walvoord Girard
A boy adopted from Korea has questions about identity and adoption as he also welcomes a new adoptive sister into his family. (1989)
Ages 5-10
We're Different, We're the Same, by Bobbi Jane Kates
Features the Sesame Street Muppets to celebrate our differences and similarities. (1992)
Ages 3-7
When Joel Comes Home, by Susi Gregg Fowler
This book is written from the point of view of a youngster waiting to meet an adopted baby for the first time. (1993)
Ages 3-7
When You Were Born in China: A Memory Book for Children Adopted from China, by Sara Dorow
A moving photo essay that provides a child's eye look at the “whys” and “hows” that have brought children from China to their new families. (1996)
Ages 5-10
When You Were Born in Korea, by Brian Boyd
Answers the questions adopted children often have: “Who took care of them when they were little?” “Why were they available for adoption?” “What was daily life like in an orphanage?” “How did they get to America?” And more. (1993)
Ages 5-10
Where the Sun Kisses the Sea, by Susan Gabel
The story of a young boy who lives in a &ledquo;beautiful far away country,” but who “longs to be united with his forever family.” (1982)
Ages 3-7

Affording Adoption
Discover available options that may help make international adoption at Spence-Chapin more affordable.
SPARK Child Development for Adoptive Families
An overview of the resources available through Spence-Chapin's SPARK program to evaluate and assist with your child's development.
The Granny Program
Learn the details of Spence-Chapin's growing Granny Program which provides individual, one-on-one attention and care to children in orphanages overseas. Wonderful progress in Bulgaria has paved the way for growing programs in China and Moldova.
Networking: China Program
Do you live outside Spence-Chapin's geographic area? Learn how you can take advantage of our China program while still receiving local support.
Networking: Guatemala Program
Do you live outside Spence-Chapin's geographic area? Learn how you can take advantage of our Guatemala program while still receiving local support.
Networking: Korea Program
Do you live outside Spence-Chapin's geographic area? Learn how you can take advantage of our Korea program while still receiving local support.

International Adoption Resources