Lorri Antosz Benson’s Adoptees is a deeply moving and insightful exploration of the adoptee experience, blending personal narratives with a compassionate understanding of the complexities that come with adoption. The author provides a nuanced portrayal of identity, belonging, and the search for roots, making the book both a heartfelt memoir and a universal story that resonates with anyone who has navigated the emotional terrain of being adopted.

What truly sets this book apart is Benson’s empathetic writing style. She does an excellent job of weaving her own journey with the voices of others, offering a range of perspectives on adoption, from those who have embraced their journey to those who continue to struggle with it. Her vulnerability and authenticity shine through every page, making the reader feel like they are walking alongside her and others on their personal quests for self-understanding.

While the book is undeniably moving, what elevates it further is its honesty. Benson doesn’t shy away from the difficult questions surrounding adoption, including the pain, confusion, and complexities that can arise from a history of abandonment or being raised in a non-biological family. She also sheds light on the joy and strength found in the reclamation of one's heritage and the beauty of chosen families.

The structure of the book is well-organized, allowing for smooth transitions between individual stories and the broader, thematic elements of adoption. Though some readers may find certain sections a bit heavy on introspection, these moments are crucial for anyone seeking to fully understand the emotional depth of the adoptee experience.
Only thing which I felt missing is the way publisher do not included last page or cover page, so with the content given, it seems like an incomplete book.

Though, what I liked most from the book is the Quote from 'Tasunke Witko', "Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children."

Overall, Adoptees is a compelling and emotional read that beautifully captures the multifaceted realities of adoption. Benson has crafted a work that is informative, reflective, and, most importantly, empathetic. It’s an essential read for adoptees, adoptive parents, or anyone seeking to better understand the emotional journey that adoption can entail.

From Crazy Horse to Simone Biles, and from Faith Hill to Steve Jobs, this small picture book looks at a selection of world-famous people who were adopted, for whatever reason. For each subject we get a suitably young-aimed, cartoonish illustration, a motivational quote, and two small paragraphs of their biography. As personal history it is too slight to really be of much use, but as an affirmation for children who know they were fostered or adopted, it could well be priceless.

My son is an international adoptee. He enjoyed reading this book with me and learning about adoptees who have made changes for the better in the world.

I love the representation in this book as well - it’s diverse group of adoptees makes the book stand out.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

Fun non-fiction book about famous adoptees. My only slight criticism is that I wish the people were more randomly mixed up. It seemed weird to weird about great men that changed history and then the actress from Broadway's Wicked. It almost lessened her accomplishments.

There are, I am quite certain, many adoptees who have changed the world. Of course, in a very short book, just a few can be featured. That is the case in this board book which briefly profiles nine adoptees. As can be seen from the cover, three of them are Steve Jobs, Simone Biles and Jamie Foxx. The others are George Washington Carver, Crazy Horse, Nelson Mandela, Kristin Chenowith, and Faith Hill. Each person has two pages with some biographical material and illustrations. Note that the illustrations are quite appealing.

I am not sure of the audience for this book. I don’t think that the text would appeal to the youngest children. I do think that this title could be used as a conversation starter.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

A new small board book with big names such as Nelson Mandela, Faith Hill, Steve Jobs, Jamie Foxx, Simone Biles, and Kristen Chenoweth. Each page of this little board book tells a different story about how these real-life characters were adopted at a young age and what they did later in life.

It was the first time my son heard the word 'adoptee,' so I had to explain it to contextualize it. While he is exposed to kids living with their adoptive parents, he doesn't seem to know they were adopted. So, the book helped lay down the concept in short, simple descriptions appropriate for a very young audience.

The storytelling also reflects how this board book presents how adoptees eventually find a family in their newfound parents and pursue their passions. I love that the narrative doesn't say they became successful despite being adopted; instead, they are famous people who also happen to be adopted.

This adorable board book is the perfect addition to the home library of any adoptive family and should also be featured in public and school libraries.

Each person is explained in a way that is appropriate for children but also shows the truth without getting into details.

The illustrations are perfect and will engage children.

Thank you to Familius and Net Galley for the eARC!

Very cute children’s book to give a positive view of adoption and highlight famous adoptees! The illustrations are very cute.

Before my review, I'd like to thank the author, Lorri Antosz Benson, the illustrator, Juanita Londono-Gaviria, the publisher, Familius, and NetGalley for the privilege of being able to read Adoptees Who Changed the World, a children's picture board book focused on more recent well-known world-changers like Simone Biles and Steve Jobs as well as more historical figures like George Washington Carver. I will share my review to Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble upon release. The cover has a nice pastel color scheme which is pleasant, and I like the illustration style that draws your eye to the figures themselves, who are the most important part of the story. Each figure takes up a 2-page spread, and the little info included is perfect for ages 0-4. Children who are adopted or have friends/family who are adopted will especially find this book inspiring, as they will feel represented in different careers of importance. I would definitely recommend to those who know children who fall into that category! Very cute book, loved it!

This is a good one following the format of the other “_____ who changed the world” books. Some of them I already knew about, but it would be good for kids.

And what I’ll say next is entirely on me, because this is just commentary about the concept of this book which I knowingly picked up — lately I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to teach my son to develop a sense of purpose and self-integration, which may look like a quiet, contented and meaningful life but not necessarily one that changes the whole world in a grandiose, articulable way. We put a lot of pressure on our kids to “do great things” and I could see this being especially true for adoptees, as if they should be extra grateful for the “second chance” they’ve been given and make the absolute most of that. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with teaching about the accomplishments and innovations of leaders in our society, but I do hope that my son learns just as much from his uncle, who is adopted, yes, and whose smiles and kindness are just as world-changing in my mind as any number of groundbreaking inventions or feats. Of course, my son is only a baby, so we’ll get there. Off my soapbox for now!

I enjoyed this book! It was fun to learn new facts about these famous people! I would highly recommend it to others!

Adoptees Who Changed the World by Lorri Antosz Benson is a short picture book (board book) that highlights 8 famous adoptees including Simone Biles and Steve Jobs. It briefly tells about their adoption (by biological family members, unrelated adoptive parents, etc.) and shows their accomplishments. Overall, I liked the book, but the story of one of the adoptees, George Washington Carver is pretty traumatic so readers may want to skip that one when sharing with kids.

Thanks to Familius and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

This book is described as a “board book introduction to people who made a difference in the world - and who also happen to be adopted.” I love the idea of the book. But I wish that it had included a few more people. And some of the language/vocabulary seems a bit advanced for small children.

‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ by Lorri Antosz Benson is an enlightening and educational read that shines a spotlight on individuals whose lives and achievements have had a significant impact on the world. The book provides inspiring stories of adoptees who have made remarkable contributions across various fields, offering readers both historical insights and personal inspiration.

Plot: ★★★★★
The plot of ‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ is compelling and well-structured, focusing on the lives of notable individuals who were adopted and went on to achieve extraordinary things. Each section is dedicated to a different person, detailing their background, accomplishments, and the impact of their work. The narrative is both informative and engaging, highlighting the often-overlooked stories of these remarkable adoptees.

Character: ★★★★★
The book excels in presenting the characters—historical and contemporary figures who have made significant contributions to society. Learning that some of these influential individuals were adopted adds a new layer of understanding and appreciation. The portrayal of their lives and achievements is respectful and inspiring, making their stories relatable and memorable.

Illustrations: ★★★★☆
The illustrations in ‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ complement the text well, adding visual interest to the profiles of the individuals featured. The artwork is engaging and helps to bring the stories to life, though some illustrations may not be as detailed or dynamic as others. Overall, they enhance the reading experience and provide a visual connection to the subjects of the book.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
The book maintains a high level of engagement through its compelling stories and informative content. The well-crafted profiles of each adoptee are captivating, and the author's ability to convey their achievements and significance keeps readers interested. The engagement is slightly diminished by the factual nature of the content, but the inspiring stories make up for it.

Readability: ★★★★★
‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ is written in a clear and accessible style, making it easy for readers of all ages to understand and appreciate the content. The language is straightforward, and the structure of the book is well-organized, allowing for a smooth reading experience. The readability ensures that the educational message is effectively communicated.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
The enjoyment factor is high due to the inspiring and educational nature of the book. Readers will appreciate learning about the achievements of adopted individuals and how they have shaped the world. The book provides both educational value and personal inspiration, though the enjoyment may vary depending on the reader’s interest in historical and biographical content.


‘Adoptees Who Changed the World’ by Lorri Antosz Benson is a remarkable and educational book that highlights the achievements of notable individuals who were adopted. With its compelling plot, respectful portrayal of characters, and engaging illustrations, the book offers valuable insights into the lives of these influential figures. The clear readability and inspiring content make it a worthwhile read, providing both knowledge and motivation for readers.

I love it when a children’s book can teach adults as well. This book informed me of quite a few famous figures that I did not know where adopted. I think this kind of children’s book is very important, as it shows children from a young age that it does not matter how they start out in life, they are still capable of achieving great things.

First off, I did not know that so many of these amazing human beings were adopted! I absolutely LOVED this book! It was amazing to see the background of each person who is amazing in different ways. Such an inspirational book for all kids, but especially for those who may struggle with the knowledge that they were adopted.

I am a firm believer in making adoption a positive topic and I think this would be a great resource for that. It was informative, accessible and inspiring. The only thing is I think it would be nice to see people from outside of the US

This book may be short, but it's got substance! The topic is quite unusual for the genre, and the execution was great. The choices of people are quite US-centric, with the exception of Nelson Mandela, but it's still interesting to learn about these famous people's journey.

Great to see all the different types of adoption and reasons why were represented. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer but understand this is a children's board book. Nice colorful graphics that show what the adoptees have done also.

This is a book for everyone but especially for anyone who has been adopted. The illustrations are charming and the text is just enough to keep the attention of a young child. I appreciated the diverse selection of people chosen to highlight their story. Even as an adult, I found it interesting and I learned something new from people I’ve grown up hearing about in school or seeing on tv.