November’s call for adoption awareness makes it an excellent time to recall awareness to two of our favorite picture books that make adoption accessible to young readers who may not have familiarity with this mode of family building. And Thanksgiving week seems the right time of the month to make sure family get togethers include understanding how dynamic and authentic adopted families are.

From Tilbury House, the contemporary classic Real Sisters Pretend, by Megan Dowd Lambert and with beautifully realistic art by Nicole Tadgell, has won an array of honors. An older sister comforts her younger one, who has been teased for her family status, by walking her through recent memories of the experience the family has shared in family court, the place where their sisterhood was pronounced “real.”

From NubeOcho Books, The Day of Your Arrival, written by Dolores Brown and with bright illustrations by Reza Dalvand, and available in both English and Spanish, presents the story of a family awaiting a yet-unknown adopted child. This offers a fine counterpoint to the myriad picture books of expectant families where a mother is pregnant.

Both picture books offer opportunities for pleasant lapis reading as well as discussion with preschool aged children. And they also make excellent gifts for new adoptive parents and grandparents.