Children’s Adoption Books
I write children's books because it is the best art form for me to express what I am feeling. And also because I really enjoy it. Many of my picture books are fantasies in which an animal or folklore creature becomes my double, and lives out the story in my place. In two of the books below, Kap the Kappa and The Silver Crane, I did not set out to write an adoption book. And I didn't realize that I had until long after the books were published. But I wrote Tell Me a Real Adoption Story after I had found my real story. It reflects my belief that adopted children should be told the truth about their birth heritage. I decided to write I’m Still Me for teenagers because so little of the literature is addressed to their needs. The plot is framed by the infamous school assignment to fill in a family tree.
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Kap the Kappa 1960- Herald Tribune Honor Book, 1960
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The Silver Crane1971 -
Tell Me a Real Adoption Story 1993- PACT ― Outstanding Children's Book, 1994
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I’m Still Me Knopf 1981, Bantam Books, 1986- Required Reading ― Child Saving Institute, 1982
- Book List Popular Reading, 1982
- New York Times Paperbacks: New and Noteworthy, 1982
Children’s Book Publication Details
Knopf :
- Tell Me a Real Adoption Story, 1993. (PACT ―Outstanding Children’s Book, 1994)
Linnet Books:
- Joji and the Dragon, 1989 (reprint).
Atheneum:
- Jaguar, My Twin, 1976. (Recommended ―Association of Children’s Libraries, 1977)
- Goodnight, Orange Monster, 1972. (Rand McNally Reading Program, 1977)
- The Mudsnail Son, 1971.
- The One Legged Ghost, 1968. (Jr. Literary Guild, 1968)
- The Cock and the Ghost Cat, 1965.
- The Dwarf Pine Tree, 1963. (First Place ―New Haven Book Festival, 1963; Book Week ―Among Best of Season, 1963)
Seabury Press:
- The Silver Crane, 1971.
W.W. Norton:
- A Dog’s Guide to Tokyo, 1969.
- Kap and the Wicked Monkey, 1968.
- The Secret Seller, 1968.
- Taka-chan and I, 1967. (New York Times Notable List, 1967)
- The Ricecake Rabbit, 1966.
- The Many Lives of Chio and Goro, 1966.
- Joji and the Amanojaku, 1965.
William Morrow:
- Kap the Kappa, 1960. (Herald Tribune Honor Book, 1960)
- Joji and the Fog, 1959. (Scott Foresman Reader, 1959).
- Mogo the Mynah, 1958.
- Joji and the Dragon, 1957. (Scott Foresman Reader, 1959).
(Most books listed above on annual ALA Notable Children’s Book List)
