I Love You Like Crazy Cakes is the story of a mother who goes to China to adopt a baby girl based on the authors own experiences. It celebrates the love and joy the baby brought into the authors home. The author’s journey to motherhood began with a letter to Chinese officials asking if she can adopt a baby from the “big room with lots of other babies”. The babies in that room are all looked after by nannies but are missing a mother. The mother is missing something also – a baby. She travels to China to meet her new little girl and is in love immediately. Taking her baby home to America she introduces her to her family and friends for them to begin their life together. The book shows both the difficulties and happy moments as they settle into their life together. The book is set out like a love letter to her child and it shows how important to them it is that their child is adopted and how being adopted doesn’t make you any less loved than any other kid. In the end of the book, the mother reflects and thinks about the birth mother and her losses.
Two Homes Picture Book/Realistic Fiction
Masurel, C., & Denton, K. (2003). Two Homes. Candlewick.
Two Homes is the story of a young boy called Alex whose parents are now together living in separate homes, which means Alex has two homes. It never discusses why Alex’s parents are not together, whether they divorced or never married. At Mommy’s house Alex has a soft chair but at Daddy’s house Alex has a rocking chair. In each house Alex has a special bedroom with lots of toys and friends to play with. It gives a tour of both homes, two kitchens, two bedrooms, two favorite chairs. Alex lives in the two homes, but the two homes are very similar, and he is happy in both. No matter which home Alex is in: Mommy or Daddy – Alex knows that he is loved more than anything. It is written from the perspective of Alex who travels between the two homes and provides a realistic yet positive view of having two single parents. The book is a great window which can be used to reassure children going through divorce to focus not on what is lost but what is gained. It does not focus on the reason for the separation or the two houses but just discusses how children are loved in both homes and by both parents.

Two is Enough Picture Book/Realistic Fiction
Matthies, J., & Mourning, T. (2015). Two is Enough. Running Press.
Two is Enough is a simple rhyming text with illustrations that follows different types of families made up of just two. Without using the word family or relationship specifics like mom, dad, parent or grandparent this book shows adult/child relationships using a variety of cultures, ages and genders. Using a range of small family dynamics like a father and son, father and daughter, grandmother and grandson and mother and daughter, it shows them doing everyday things together and things like playing in the snow, rainy-