REAGANDOODLE AND LITTLE BUDDY FIND A FOREVER FAMILY

A dog shares what it means to be adopted.

Reagandoodle has a new human best friend, Little Buddy, who is being adopted, just as he was, so the dog tells Little Buddy about all of the wonderful things adoption “means”: It means you belong and are loved, you will always have hugs and kisses, a safe place to sleep, and food to eat. Little Buddy’s parents “love [him] much deeper than oceans [and] more than the universe.” From discussions about celebrating Christmas and Easter and praying before dinner, readers will assume Christianity is an important part of this family’s beliefs. Little Buddy and the human members of his family present white in Sparks’ stiff but amiable watercolors. Typical childhood activities such as reading, napping, and selling lemonade are featured in this book consistently. The story is based on the experiences of the author’s grandchild, and photos of the real Reagandoodle and Little Buddy are presented along with the true story of Little Buddy’s journey from foster child to joining his family by adoption. Since this story is one of an older child being adopted and not an infant, this would be an appropriate book for families that have grown through the foster-adopt process.

The dog’s-eye-view perspective makes this a lighthearted choice for explaining adoption.