Favorite Preschool Book: "God Gave Us You"

This touching adoption story celebrates the special bond between parents and children in all its beautiful forms—and it does something remarkable that many picture books miss: it normalizes the conversation around how families come together while honoring every child's unique journey. Reading "God Gave Us You" together opens the door to meaningful conversations about love, family, and belonging that can become a cherished ritual in your home. Whether your child is adopted, biological, or you're simply raising awareness that families look different everywhere, this book offers a tender, age-appropriate entry point into deeper questions about identity and home. The illustrations are warm and inviting, the language is poetic without being overwhelming, and the core message—"I chose you, I wanted you, you are mine"—is one every child needs to hear.

What You'll Need

• A copy of "God Gave Us You" by Lisa Tawn Bergren (available at libraries, bookstores, or online retailers)
• A cozy reading spot such as a couch, armchair, pile of cushions, or even a blanket fort
• Optional: colored pencils, washable markers, or crayons for follow-up art activities
• Optional: construction paper, white cardstock, or paper plates for creating a "family tree" or "thankful tree"
• Optional: a small journal or notebook where you can jot down your child's favorite quotes or reactions to revisit later
• Optional: family photos or a digital device to pull up pictures of your child's adoption day, birth day, or special family moment
• Optional: a timer (5–10 minutes) if your child struggles with sitting still, so you can set realistic expectations together

How to Do It

1. Set the scene with intention. Find a quiet, comfortable spot where you and your child can snuggle without distractions—phones away, siblings occupied if possible. Let them know you're about to read a special story about families by saying something like: "I have a beautiful book I want to share with you about how families come together. It's a story about love and choosing, and I think you'll love it." This framing builds anticipation and signals that this is different from a quick bedtime story.

2. Read with expression and warmth. Use slightly different voices for the narrative parts, slow your pace during emotional moments, and pause at each illustration to give your child time to really look at the pictures. Point out specific details by saying things like, "Look at the mama animal's face—see how happy she looks?" or "What colors do you see in this picture?" This shows your child that looking closely at a book is part of the joy of reading.

3. Honor the illustrations. This book's artwork is a major part of its power, so give it space. Don't rush through pages. Let your child comment, ask questions, or simply sit with an image that moves them. Some pages may spark recognition or emotion—that's exactly what should happen, and your presence through it matters more than any words you say.

4. Ask gentle, open-ended questions during and after reading. Invite reflection without pressure by trying prompts like: "How do you think the mama felt when she found her baby?" "What makes our family special?" or "I wonder what the baby was thinking?" If your child doesn't answer, that's okay—you're planting seeds for future thinking. Some children process internally and may bring up the story days later.

5. Listen far more than you talk. Your child may share feelings, ask questions about their own story, wonder about their own adoption or birth, or make connections you didn't expect. Answer honestly and age-appropriately, following their lead rather than steering the conversation. If they ask something you're not sure how to answer—"Why didn't my birth mom keep me?"—it's perfectly fine to say, "That's a really important question. Let me think about the best way to answer that, and we can talk more tomorrow."

6. Make it deeply personal. Share a simple, warm story about when your child joined your family—what you hoped for, how you felt when you first met them, or something funny that happened. Keep it short and genuine. Your child needs to hear from your own lips and heart that they were wanted. You might say, "When we brought you home, I remember thinking you had the most beautiful eyes, and I knew right away that you were exactly who I was hoping for."

7. Create a follow-up activity together. Draw or paint pictures of your family doing things together, make a "thankful tree" where you draw or write things you love about each other, create a photo collage of special family moments, or invite your child to dictate their own family story while you write it down. These creative extensions help solidify the emotional and narrative learning.

8. Return to the book intentionally. Mark this as a book you'll read again—monthly, before family milestones, on adoption day anniversaries, or whenever your child asks. Each reading will land differently as they grow, and returning to it shows that this story and this conversation matter.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Emotional understanding and naming — Children learn to identify and name complex feelings like joy, hope, longing, and belonging through the story's emotional journey. This builds emotional literacy, which is foundational for managing big feelings and empathizing with others throughout their lives.

Family identity and security — Discussions about how families form help children feel secure in their own story and understand that families come in many different forms. When children see their family reflected in a book, they internalize the message that their family is normal, valued, and beautiful.

Listening comprehension and narrative thinking — Following a narrative with themes of love, longing, and connection strengthens attention span, story retention, and the ability to understand cause and effect. This book's poetic language also introduces children to richer vocabulary and more complex sentence structures.

Self-awareness and identity — Reflecting on their own story, asking questions about how they joined the family, and seeing their experience honored in a book builds confidence and helps children understand their place in the family system. This is critical for healthy self-esteem and sense of belonging.

Communication and self-expression — Sharing thoughts and feelings during conversation strengthens vocabulary, confidence in expressing themselves, and the ability to use words instead of behaviors to process emotions. Children who talk about their feelings develop better emotional regulation and stronger relationships.

Critical thinking and prediction — Asking open-ended questions about the story invites children to think beyond the literal text, make predictions, and connect the story to their own lives. This type of thinking is the foundation for reading comprehension and problem-solving skills.

Tips & Variations

• For younger toddlers (ages 2–3): Keep reading time short (10–15 minutes or less), focus on the illustrations rather than every word, and use simple, concrete language when discussing the story. You might say, "The mama found her baby. The mama loves the baby. You are my baby, and I love you." Expect shorter attention spans and lots of movement—that's developmentally normal and okay.

• For older preschoolers (ages 4–6): Dive deeper into questions about feelings, differences in family structures, and what "chosen" means. Encourage them to create their own "adoption day" or "family story" with drawings, dictation, or even a simple skit. These children can handle more nuance and may ask more complex questions—embrace those conversations.

• Make it a seasonal ritual: Read the book again during family milestones like adoption day anniversaries, the child's birthday, the start of a new school year, or during the holidays when family themes are in the air. Each reading will feel fresh and developmentally appropriate.

• Thematic expansion: Pair this book with other stories about families and belonging—"A Family is a Family is a Family," "The Great Big Book of Families," or "All Kinds of Families"—to build a fuller picture of how diverse families are. This reinforces that there is no one "right" way to be a family.

• Involve extended family: If grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close family friends are part of your child's story, consider reading this book with them present. Their presence and affirmation of your child's belonging adds another layer of security.

My Two Cents

Every child—whether adopted, biological, step-parented, fostered, or somewhere beautifully in between—deserves to hear that they are wanted, chosen, and cherished. This book gives you the perfect opening to share that message in a way that feels natural, loving, and honest. Your willingness to read and talk about family with intention, to answer hard questions, and to celebrate your child's unique story matters more than you know. The gift of this book isn't just the words on the page; it's the message your presence sends: *Your story matters. Your family is beautiful. You are enough.*