Transracial Adoption Does Anybody Else Look Like Me?: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Multicultural Children by Donna Jackson Nakazawa (2003) The author draws on research and information in help raising multi-culturally children and being part of a multi-cultural family.  Ms. Nakazawa provides tools for parents to help children prepare challenges of being multi-cultural or coming from a multi- cultural family.  This is not a book specifically about adoptive families or children.    Different and Wonderful: Raising Black Children in a Race-Conscious Society Dr. Darlene Powell Hopson and Dr. Derek S. Hopson, Prentice Hall Press, 1990. Written for an African-American family audience, this book is for all whose lives are touched by Black children. This is a helpful guide to face our own subconscious “taboos;” to help children be proud of themselves as Black Americans; even if they live in a predominantly white culture; to guide teenagers with sexuality issues that also deal with race and peer pressure; to find daycare that’s appropriate for Black children; and, many more issues to help strengthen families and understand other races and ethnic groups. Inside Transracial Adoption by Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall, Perspectives Press, 2000.  Written by the founders of Pact, An Adoption Alliance, this book is informative and heart warming. These authors have given their lives to adopted children of different races and are now teaching parents of children of other races what they learned the hard way. They address the issues of Native American, African American, Asian, Hispanic, and bi-racial children and adoption. Parenting Resource Manual: Transracial Parenting Project compiled by Susan Cunningham, B.A. and Jeanette Wiedemeier Bower, M.P.A.. The North American Council on Adoptable Children, July 1998. 296 pages. Issues that families need to address before choosing a child of another race, culture, or ethnicity are discussed. Ways to raise a transracial child that are most beneficial for her or him, and ways that black and white communities can come together for the children raised by a family of another culture are discussed. In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Own Stories Rita J. Simon and Rhonda M. Roorda; Columbia University Press, New York; 2000 This book is a collection of twenty-four interviews with African-American and multi-racial adults adopted by white parents primarily as babies or young children. The stories in the book are informative, deeply personal and incredibly touching. You cannot read this book without being changed."" Inside Transracial Adoption Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall; 2000; Perspectives Press, Indianapolis, Indiana This easy to read based is based on both personal experience and research.  The authors gives adoptive parents step by step guidance in effectively communicating with their transracially adopted children. Black Baby White Hands: A View From the Crib Jaiya John. Soul Water Publishing; Silver Spring, Maryland; 2002 The author of the book tells the story of his life as an African American child raised by loving white parents who ignored his race and ethnic background  The author explains the sense of loss and self-hatred he developed as he grew older.  This book is an important read for parents of African American children as well as parents of children from other cultures.   Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad? Sandy Lynne Holman, The Culture CO-OP publishers, 1998. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of  Black children, born in a society that tries to teach everyone that Black is bad.  It teaches children that self love is important and that Black people have a glorious heritage, and that the African spirit is undying and has contributed greatly to the goodness of our society. Hope Isabel Monk, Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1999. Hope, a girl born of mixed races, learns about her rich biracial heritage. This book helps children to see themselves with pride and self respect. It is rich in the value of faith, the strength of family, and the power of storytelling.

Adoption Counseling & Educational Services